Cylindrical Light Guide Plate for Curved Display Pattern Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing presentation devices with flat surfaces cannot effectively switch display patterns on curved surfaces, such as those found in slot machine drums, limiting their ability to enhance gamer engagement.
Innovation Solution
A presentation device featuring a cylindrically formed display panel with a rotatable light guide plate and a light source that uses prisms on the inner surface to reflect light and create visible patterns, allowing for the switching of display patterns on a curved surface by controlling the light source's on/off state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a flat light guide plate is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively display patterns on curved surfaces such as drums
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by forming the light guide plate in a cylindrical shape that matches the drum surface. The light guide plate includes an outer circumferential surface, inner circumferential surface, and end surfaces that conform to the curved geometry of the drum, enabling effective light distribution and pattern display on the curved surface while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through molding processes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light guide plates are used to switch patterns, then pattern switching capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic pattern switching by rotating a single light guide plate that has multiple patterns formed on its inner circumferential surface. The rotation mechanism allows different patterns to be positioned at the light-emitting side sequentially, enabling pattern switching without requiring multiple separate light guide plates, thus maintaining device simplicity while achieving versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds the rotational dimension to the light guide plate, transforming it from a static component to a dynamic one. By introducing rotation around the cylindrical axis, the system can display multiple patterns using a single light guide plate, effectively utilizing spatial movement to achieve pattern switching without increasing the number of components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide plate is fixed to the display panel, then structural simplicity is maintained, but independent rotation for pattern switching is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the display system into independently rotatable components: the display panel and the light guide plate are separated such that the light guide plate can rotate independently around the cylindrical axis. This segmentation is achieved through a support structure that allows relative rotation, enabling pattern switching while maintaining structural organization and avoiding excessive complexity.
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 presentation of diverse and engaging patterns on curved surfaces, enhancing the gaming experience by allowing dynamic pattern changes visible to the gamer.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of prisms that are formed in a diffusing surface that is on an inner circumferential side opposing the outer circumference surface of the display panel, reflect visible light from the light source that enters the light guide plate from the portion of the edge surface toward an exit surface that is on the outer circumferential side opposing the diffusing surface
Data Source
AI summary
A presentation device has a cylindrical display panel provided with a first pattern on an outer circumferential surface thereof and supported to be rotatable in a circumferential direction, a cylindrical light guide plate arranged along an outer circumference of the display panel and supported coaxially with the display panel such that the first pattern is visible from an outer circumferential side, and a light source opposing a portion of one edge surface of the light guide plate and configured to emit visible light. The light guide plate has prisms that are formed in a diffusing surface on an inner circumferential side opposing the outer circumference surface of the display panel, reflect visible light from the light source that enters the light guide plate from the portion of the edge surface toward an exit surface on the outer circumferential side opposing the diffusing surface and arranged along a second pattern.