Circular Light Guide Plate Notch Wedge Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide plates for circular or near-circular smart watch designs face challenges in space occupation and light loss with direct-type backlight sources, and assembly difficulties with edge-type sources due to mismatched surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A light guide plate with a circular or near-circular shape featuring notches and a wedge-shaped structure with integrated light-reflection layers, allowing for efficient light reflection and reduced space occupation, facilitating assembly with planar backlight sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a direct-type backlight source structure is used, then the light guide plate can provide sufficient illumination, but it occupies a large space which does not meet the requirements for small-size and super-thin products
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a direct-type backlight structure (where light sources are positioned above the light guide plate) to an edge-type structure (where light sources are positioned at the edge/side of the light guide plate). This dimensional change allows the light guide plate to be thinner while still providing sufficient illumination through light reflection and total internal reflection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate is segmented into multiple functional regions including a light incident region, a light reflection region with reflective layers, and a light emission region. This segmentation allows optimized light path management and enables a more compact overall structure.
2Volume of moving object
If an edge-type backlight source structure is used with a circular light guide plate, then the space occupation is reduced, but light loss occurs due to the mismatch between the flat LED light-emitting surface and the round lateral surface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface qualities to different regions of the light guide plate. The light incident region has a flat surface matching the LED, while the light reflection region incorporates reflective layers (such as metal reflective layers or white paint) on the cylindrical lateral surface to prevent light loss. This local differentiation of surface properties optimizes both assembly and light utilization.
3Volume of moving object
If an edge-type backlight source structure is used with a circular light guide plate, then the space occupation is reduced, but assembly becomes difficult due to the mismatch between the flat LED light-emitting surface and the round lateral surface
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate incorporates a flat light incident region with a flat surface that matches the LED's light-emitting surface, while the rest of the lateral surface maintains the circular shape. This local flat region simplifies assembly by providing a compatible interface for the planar LED, while the overall circular shape is preserved for the final product design.
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
The solution reduces space occupation, minimizes light loss, and simplifies assembly by reflecting light beams effectively and utilizing space efficiently, enhancing light distribution and emission in circular patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a light-reflection layer is arranged on the third surface. A light source is arranged at a position on the lower surface of the light guide plate body and adjacent to the second surface of the wedge-shaped structure. A light beam from the light source passes through the light-entering surface and reaches the third surface of the wedge-shaped structure and the notch, so that the light beam is reflected by the light-reflection layer at the third surface and the light-reflection layer at the notch toward the light guide plate body
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a light guide plate, a backlight module and a wearable device. The light guide plate includes a light guide plate body having an upper surface as a light-exiting surface. The light guide plate is provided at a side portion at least one notch, and a light-reflection layer is arranged at a surface of each notch. A wedge-shaped structure is arranged on a lower surface of the light guide plate body and adjacent to a bottom of each notch. The wedge-shaped structure has a first surface attached onto the lower surface of the light guide plate body, a second surface serving as a light-entering surface, and a third surface intersecting the first surface and the second surface and forming an acute angle relative to the first surface. A light-reflection layer is arranged on the third surface. A light source is arranged at a position on the lower surface of the light guide plate body adjacent to the second surface of the wedge-shaped structure.