Electromagnetic Locking Device Translucent End Cap LED Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electromagnetic suction cups with integrated LEDs face issues of low visibility from a distance and vulnerability to vandalism due to the small orifice for the light source, which restricts the angle of visibility and facilitates unauthorized access.
Innovation Solution
The end cap housing the LED is made of translucent material, allowing light diffusion in a horizontal plane and extending beyond the counterplate edge for broader visibility, while eliminating the need for a large opening, thus enhancing visibility and protecting the LED from vandalism.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a small orifice is provided in the profile to house the LED, then the LED is protected from vandalism, but the light visibility from a distance is reduced and the angle of visibility is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
A translucent diffuser element is introduced as an intermediary between the LED and the external environment. This diffuser allows light to pass through while scattering it in multiple directions, enabling the LED to remain protected within a small orifice while maintaining broad visibility angles. The diffuser acts as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of protection and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent material of the diffuser element is selected to allow light transmission while providing optical diffusion. The material's optical properties enable it to transform the directed light from the LED into a scattered light pattern, maintaining visibility without requiring a large opening for direct light emission.
2Illumination intensity
If a large orifice is provided in the profile to improve light visibility, then the angle of visibility is improved, but the LED becomes vulnerable to vandalism and the structure is more exposed
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent diffuser serves as a protective intermediary that allows light to pass through while blocking direct access to the LED. This enables the system to maintain good light visibility without creating a large opening that would expose the LED to vandalism, effectively resolving the contradiction between visibility and security.
3Illumination intensity
If the LED is positioned to be visible from all angles, then the visibility is improved, but the structure becomes more complex and the LED is more exposed to damage
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than positioning the LED in multiple locations or creating complex structural arrangements to achieve omnidirectional visibility, a simple translucent diffuser element is introduced as a mediator. This single component achieves the desired visibility from all angles while maintaining structural simplicity and protecting the LED from damage.
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 translucent end cap acts as a light guide, ensuring the LED is visible from all angles and is securely protected, improving visibility and security without compromising the suction cup's functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the cap, in addition to its usual function of closing the ends of the suction cup, also has the function of diffusing the light in a horizontal plane
Implementation Method 2
the translucent end piece behaves like a light guide which favors the diffusion of light up to its shouldered upper part
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromagnetic suction element (3) comprising a light source (10) consisting of a prismatic electromagnet (6) housing in a profiled element having a U-shaped section with ends that are closed by end caps (8) each having a shoulder (8a). Said suction element is characterised in that the end cap at the end of the suction element at least comprising the light source consists of a translucent material.