Integrated ESD Shield with Optical Reflectors for Data Readers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional handheld data readers face challenges in achieving high electrostatic discharge (ESD) resistance due to their compact size, which can lead to damage from ESD events, and they often lack efficient use of space for both ESD shielding and optical functionalities.

Innovation Solution

A compact ESD shield designed with a static dissipative material, featuring a dual-housing structure with reflectors and spatial filters to enhance both ESD protection and illumination capabilities, optimizing the limited space within handheld data readers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the size of ESD shield is increased to improve ESD resistance, then ESD protection performance is improved, but the compact size of handheld data reader is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveESD resistanceVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the ESD shield with optical components (reflectors and spatial filters) into a single integrated structure. The ESD shield serves dual purposes: providing electrostatic protection and housing optical elements that shape and direct light from the illumination module, thereby achieving high ESD resistance without increasing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ESD shield is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides ESD protection and optical functionality. By integrating reflectors and spatial filters into the shield structure, the same component performs multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated spaces for ESD protection and optical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If conventional ESD shields are used without integrated optical components, then ESD protection is provided, but space utilization and illumination efficiency are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveESD protectionVSAvoidspace utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines ESD shielding functionality with optical guiding components (reflectors and spatial filters) into a unified structure. This integration ensures that the ESD shield not only protects electronic components but also efficiently directs illumination light, maximizing the utility of the limited space within the handheld device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If separate ESD shield and optical components are used, then ESD protection is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveESD protectionVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates ESD shield, reflectors, and spatial filters into a single structural unit, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device architecture. This merged structure lowers assembly complexity while maintaining both ESD protection and optical functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The ESD shield is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: electrostatic protection, light reflection, and spatial filtering. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, thereby simplifying the device structure and reducing overall complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3287935B1Electrostatic discharge shield for data readers
Publication Date: 2020.12.16 DATALOGIC IP TECH
  • EP3287935B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3287935B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3287935B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Disclosed systems and methods for a data reader (10) having an ESD shield (40) with integrated optical characteristics to improve illumination features of the data reader. The data reader includes an illumination module (145) configured to generate illumination, and an ESD shield having high ESD resistance for protecting electronic and other sensitive components (150) of the data reader. The ESD shield further includes a reflective interior surface (135) and a spatial filter (140), where the reflective surface and filter together are operable to provide a uniform distribution of illumination along the body (15) of the data reader.