Electronic Module Lightguide Element for Status Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic modules with status displays face challenges in achieving a compact and simple design for the installation region, particularly with light-emitting diodes, which require individual installation and can be complex and space-inefficient.
Innovation Solution
The use of a single-piece lightguide element with a head section and multiple light-guiding rods that project down to light elements on the printed circuit board, allowing for a space-saving and simplified installation of status displays, with the head section forming a web that connects the light-guiding rods and provides secure positioning within the insulating material housing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If individual light-emitting diodes are installed in the insulating material housing, then status displays can be implemented, but the installation becomes complex and space-inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual light-guiding elements into a single integrated lightguide element with a common head section and multiple light-guiding rods. This merging reduces the number of separate components to be installed, simplifying the installation process while maintaining the ability to display multiple status indicators. The lightguide element is installed as one piece in the insulating material housing, eliminating the need to individually position and secure multiple separate LEDs or light guides.
Solution Approach 2:
The lightguide element is segmented into a common head section and multiple individual light-guiding rods that extend from the head. This segmentation allows the light guide to function as multiple separate status displays while being installed as a single integrated component. The head section provides a common mounting interface, while the individual rods can be independently configured to guide light to different locations on the printed circuit board.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple individual light-emitting diodes are installed, then status displays are achieved, but the installation region becomes space-inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple light-guiding functions into a single integrated lightguide element, the patent reduces the total space required in the installation region. The common head section allows multiple light-guiding rods to originate from a compact base, and the rods can be arranged in a space-efficient manner to reach their respective light elements on the printed circuit board, minimizing the overall footprint compared to installing multiple separate LEDs with individual mounting requirements.
3Device complexity
If a single-piece lightguide element is used, then installation is simplified and space is saved, but optical separation of individual light spots must be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing recesses in the head section at specific locations corresponding to each light-guiding rod's light exit region. These localized recesses create optical separation for each individual light spot while maintaining the integrated structure of the lightguide element. The recesses are positioned precisely to ensure that light from adjacent rods does not overlap, achieving the required optical separation without compromising the simplification benefits of the single-piece design.
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 enables a compact, space-efficient, and easy-to-install status display system that reduces complexity and improves optical separation of light elements, ensuring reliable signal assignment and alignment, while maintaining a compact electronic module design.
Implementation Method 1
a lightguide element (20) with a head section (22) which is installed in the electronic module, on the upper side, and with a multiplicity of light-guiding rods (23) which project one next to the other away from the head section and extend down in the direction of the printed circuit board to light elements (24) on the printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
These status displays are generally realized as light-emitting diodes or the like which are installed in the insulating material housing, on the upper side
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic module (1) for a modular control device is described, in which a multiplicity of electronic modules (1) are connected to one another via a databus. The electronic module (1) has an insulating material housing (21), a printed circuit board (17) which has electronic components in the insulating material housing (21), a conductor connection plane (8) on an upper side (7) of the electronic module (1) having a multiplicity of conductor insertion openings (7) leading to conductor connections (13), and status displays (10) adjacent to the conductor connection plane (8) on the upper side of the electronic module (1). The status displays (10) have a lightguide element (20) with a head section (22) which is accessible from the outside and is installed in the electronic module (1) and with a multiplicity of light-guiding rods (23), which project one next to the other away from the head section (22) and extend down in the direction of the printed circuit board (17) to light elements (24) on the printed circuit board (17).