Lightguide Assembly with Density-Graded Reflective Microstructures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with lightguide assemblies suffer from non-uniform visual effects due to bright spots caused by multiple LEDs and energy inefficiency from using diffusion agents to achieve gradual brightness or dimness.
Innovation Solution
A lightguide assembly with varying densities of reflective microstructures and strategically positioned light-emitting members to guide light uniformly, eliminating the need for diffusion agents and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple vertical LEDs are implemented at different positions to achieve gradual brightness variation, then the visual effect of gradually brighter or dimmer is improved, but bright spots are generated at LED positions resulting in non-uniform visual effect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the density of reflective microstructures in different regions of the lightguide pillar. The base plate contains a first region with a first density of reflective microstructures and a second region with a second density, creating localized optical properties that produce gradual brightness variation without bright spots. This resolves the contradiction by achieving controlled illumination intensity variation while maintaining visual uniformity through spatially varying microstructure density.
2Manufacturing precision
If diffusion agent is added into the lightguide pillar to address non-uniform visual effect, then visual uniformity is improved, but light-emitting power deteriorates and electricity is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the diffusion agent from the lightguide pillar composition. Instead of using diffusion agents to achieve visual uniformity, the invention uses a structured arrangement of reflective microstructures with varying densities. This extraction resolves the contradiction by maintaining visual uniformity through geometric optical control rather than chemical diffusion, thereby preserving light-emitting power and reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical mechanism of diffusion agents with a physical/optical mechanism of reflective microstructures. The reflective microstructures with different densities create controlled light reflection and scattering patterns that achieve visual uniformity without the energy loss associated with diffusion agents. This substitution resolves the contradiction by achieving the same visual effect through a more efficient optical mechanism.
3Illumination intensity
If diffusion agent is used to achieve gradual brightness, then visual effect is improved, but consumption of electrical power increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the density parameter of reflective microstructures in different regions of the base plate. The first density and second density of reflective microstructures create different optical path lengths and reflection patterns, producing gradual brightness variation. This resolves the contradiction by achieving energy-efficient gradual brightness control through geometric parameter variation rather than energy-intensive diffusion agents.
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
Achieves a uniform and efficient visual effect with reduced light loss and power consumption by utilizing fewer LEDs and controlled reflective microstructure densities.
Implementation Method 1
The base plate has a plurality of reflective microstructures. The reflective microstructures are distributed in the connection region with a third average density. The reflective microstructures are distributed over the first extension region with a first average density. The reflective microstructures are distributed in the second extension region with a second average density.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a housing having a strip-shaped light-transmissive portion and a lightguide assembly including a base plate having a connection region, a first extension region, and a second extension region, a lightguide member disposed on the base plate, and light-emitting members. The lightguide member corresponds to the strip-shaped light-transmissive portion and has a connection portion, a first extension portion, and a second extension portion. Reflective microstructures are distributed in the first extension region, the second extension region, and the connection region with a first to a third average density, respectively. The third average density is greater than the first and the second average densities. The light-emitting members are adjacent to the connection portion. An emitting direction of a portion of the light-emitting members is toward the first extension region, and an emitting direction of another portion of the light-emitting members is toward the second extension region.