Chassis Bezel Light Source for Faceplate Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication network shelf face plates lack sufficient illumination, making legends difficult to read in low-light environments and limiting the use of smaller font sizes, which in turn restricts the miniaturization of circuit boards and shelves.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a bezel with a source of electromagnetic radiation, such as a light emitting diode, to provide frontal illumination of the face plate, improving visibility and legibility of legends regardless of environmental lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If backlit face plates are used with external lighting dependence, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but visibility and legibility of legends deteriorate in low-light environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the face plate and bezel into a single integrated component, with the bezel serving dual purposes as both a structural frame and a light-diffusing element. The light source is embedded within the bezel structure, merging illumination functionality with the existing mechanical support structure, thereby improving legend visibility without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light-diffusing medium (such as a translucent bezel or diffuser material) as an intermediary between the light source and the face plate. This intermediary distributes the light evenly across the face plate surface, eliminating the need for complex illumination systems while ensuring uniform visibility of legends in low-light conditions
2Illumination intensity
If larger font sizes are used on face plates, then legend visibility is improved, but the area occupied by circuit boards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the illumination parameter by introducing active lighting, which transforms the visibility conditions of the legends. This allows the use of smaller font sizes because the controlled lighting environment compensates for the reduced physical size, enabling compact circuit board designs while maintaining adequate legend legibility
3Productivity
If frontal illumination is implemented independent of environmental lighting, then operational efficiency in dark environments is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or conditional illumination activation, where the light source is turned on only when needed (such as when ambient light levels are insufficient or when the equipment is actively being operated). This periodic action ensures operational efficiency in dark environments while minimizing overall energy consumption by avoiding continuous illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is designed to be self-regulating, using ambient light sensors or user interaction triggers to automatically activate or deactivate the light source. This self-service mechanism ensures that energy is consumed only when the illumination is actually needed for operational tasks, balancing productivity improvement with energy conservation
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the use of smaller font sizes on face plates, allowing for more compact circuit board and shelf designs, and ensures legends can be read in the absence of external lighting, enhancing operational efficiency and visibility.
Implementation Method 1
The bezel of the just-described embodiments encloses at least one source of electromagnetic radiation, for example a light emitting diode
Data Source
AI summary
A shelf of communication equipment provides frontal illumination of a face plate of the shelf. Specifically, a shelf in a rack in a communication network includes a face plate and a bezel. The face plate has a first exterior surface that carries a legend. The bezel forms a second exterior surface extending in a predetermined direction transverse to the first exterior surface. For example, if the first exterior surface is vertical, the second exterior surface is horizontal and overhangs the first exterior surface. During operation, electromagnetic radiation generated by a source enclosed by the bezel exits through the second exterior surface and directly illuminates at least the legend, and optionally also illuminates a electronic device adjacent to the legend, such as an LED or a jack, if such a device is present on the first exterior surface.