Concealed Optical Sensor Housing for Ambient Light Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional optical sensors on electronic devices, such as those found in digital cameras and virtual reality devices, often require a transparent or semi-transparent window that compromises the aesthetic integrity of the device, leading to cosmetic discontinuities and reduced customer satisfaction.
Innovation Solution
Conceal optical sensors within the device housing by incorporating a passthrough region that allows light to pass through while maintaining the device's exterior appearance, using materials and design features like flexible printed circuits and textured surfaces to minimize visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a transparent or semi-transparent window is used to accommodate optical sensors, then the sensors can detect ambient light conditions, but the aesthetic integrity of the device is compromised and cosmetic discontinuities occur
Solution Approach 1:
The optical sensor is extracted from the traditional transparent window location and concealed within the housing structure. The sensor is positioned in a recessed area surrounded by opaque material, removing the need for a separate transparent window component while maintaining sensor functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical sensor is nested within a recessed cavity in the housing, with the sensor positioned inside the housing structure rather than on the exterior surface. This nesting approach allows the sensor to be hidden within the device body while still accessing ambient light.
2Shape
If optical sensors are concealed within the housing, then aesthetic integrity is maintained, but light transmission to the sensor may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into different functional regions: an opaque housing structure for aesthetic purposes and a dedicated passthrough region for light transmission. This segmentation allows the housing to serve dual purposes - maintaining appearance while providing optical access to the concealed sensor.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing material has different optical properties in different locations: the majority of the housing remains opaque for aesthetic integrity, while the passthrough region is specifically designed with light-transmitting properties to deliver adequate illumination to the concealed optical sensor.
3Illumination intensity
If a passthrough region is incorporated in the housing, then light can reach the concealed sensor, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The passthrough region is merged with the housing structure itself rather than being a separate component. The housing material is formulated or configured to provide both structural integrity and optical transmission properties in the same component, eliminating the need for additional light guides or separate transparent panels.
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 maintains the device's aesthetic integrity by hiding optical sensors, enhancing customer satisfaction while ensuring the sensors can detect ambient light conditions effectively.
Implementation Method 1
an optical sensor arranged within the housing and coupled to a first region of the housing, the optical sensor configured to generate a signal in response to light that passes through the first region of the housing and onto the optical sensor
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for concealed optical sensors. Apparatuses and systems may incorporate optical sensors concealed in or behind the external housing of a device, thereby enabling the device to detect ambient light conditions while minimizing aesthetic disruptions to the exterior surface of the device. The improved aesthetics that result from using hidden optical sensors versus optical sensors behind a more traditional optically transparent window or panel may lead to improved customer satisfaction.