Dial Gauge Light Guide Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dial gauges require multiple illumination sources for uniform illumination, leading to high power consumption and potential non-uniform photoluminescent hot spots, making it difficult to read in low-light conditions, especially for photoluminescent dial plates.
Innovation Solution
A dial gauge with an optical light guide made of transparent or translucent material extending from below the dial plate to the front side, using a single illumination source located below the dial plate to distribute light uniformly across the dial face, including an annulus and cylindrical wall structure for radial and axial light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple illumination sources are used to provide uniform illumination over the dial plate, then illumination uniformity is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the single illumination source and the dial plate. The light guide receives light from the single source and redistributes it uniformly across the dial plate surface, enabling uniform illumination without requiring multiple sources. This mediator component solves the contradiction by decoupling the illumination source count from the illumination uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination approach transitions from multiple point sources arranged in space to a single source combined with a light guide that distributes light across the dial plate surface. The light guide utilizes its internal optical structure (total internal reflection, refraction) to project light uniformly across the entire dial face, effectively adding a spatial distribution dimension to the illumination system.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple illumination sources are used to illuminate the dial plate, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves as a mediating component that enables a single illumination source to achieve the illumination uniformity previously requiring multiple sources. By placing the light guide between the single source and the dial plate, the system achieves uniform illumination with reduced component count, directly lowering device complexity while maintaining illumination quality.
3Illumination intensity
If non-uniform illumination is provided to photoluminescent dial plates, then illumination intensity is improved, but photoluminescent hot spots occur making the dial gauge difficult to read
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as a mediating component that receives light from the illumination source and redistributes it uniformly across the photoluminescent dial plate surface. This uniform distribution prevents localized overheating and excessive light intensity that would cause photoluminescent hot spots, thereby maintaining high illumination brightness while ensuring uniform glow across the entire dial face for optimal readability.
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
This solution provides uniform illumination from a single source below the dial plate, reducing power consumption and eliminating photoluminescent hot spots, making the dial gauge easier to read in low-light conditions without the need for multiple illumination sources.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide arranged to guide illumination light from below the dial plate to the front side of the dial plate
Implementation Method 2
The light guide may comprise a first portion disposed below the dial plate and radially outwardly extending from a light input proximal to the illumination source and arranged to receive illumination light, the first portion being arranged to radially outwardly distribute illumination light
Implementation Method 3
for photoluminescent dial plates, which re-emit light after deactivation of illumination
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
There is disclosed a dial gauge 10 comprising a dial plate 12 having a dial face 14 including angularly spaced markings 16 indicating values; a pointer 18 disposed at a front side of the dial plate 12 and angularly moveable over the dial face 14 with respect to the markings 16 so as to indicate a reading. An illumination source 20 is provided which is arranged to emit illumination light and which is disposed below the dial plate 12. The gauge further comprises a light guide 22 arranged to guide illumination light from below the dial plate 12 to the front side of the dial plate 12 so as to illuminate the dial face 14 from above. There is also disclosed a mechanical pressure gauge comprising a dial gauge 10 and a breathing apparatus comprising a cylinder of breathable gas fluidically coupled to a pressure gauge 10 which is configured to display the pressure of the breathable gas.