Flat Light Guide Clamping for Moisture Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emission arrangements using flat light-guiding elements struggle to reliably protect light sources from external influences, particularly in humid environments, and ensure secure mounting and efficient light coupling.
Innovation Solution
The light sources are mounted on a carrier element, such as an LED circuit board, which is fixed to the light-guiding element using C-shaped clamping elements with projections, and the light-guiding element features support elements like projections or ribs to prevent accidental contact and moisture ingress, ensuring secure positioning and efficient light coupling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If light sources are arranged next to the light coupling surface of the light-guiding element, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but the light sources become vulnerable to external influences such as moisture, dust, and electrostatic discharges
Solution Approach 1:
The light sources are nested within a recess in the light-guiding element, with the carrier element inserted into the recess. This nesting structure allows the light sources to be positioned close to the light coupling surface for efficient light coupling while being protected from external influences by the recess structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A carrier element is introduced as an intermediary between the light sources and the recess. The carrier element holds the light sources and positions them within the recess, mediating between the requirement for close proximity to the light coupling surface and the need for protection from external influences.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the carrier element is fixed securely to the light-guiding element, then positioning stability is improved, but mechanical stress on the circuit board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier element is designed with different local qualities: it has a rigid structure for stable positioning within the recess, but also includes flexible or stress-distributing features at the contact points with the circuit board to reduce mechanical stress while maintaining overall positioning stability.
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 configuration provides reliable protection against electrostatic discharges, dust, and moisture while optimizing light coupling and reducing mechanical stress on the circuit board, ensuring clear visibility of the pictogram and efficient light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The light is passed on within the light-guiding element via reflections and is essentially distributed over the entire element
Data Source
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AI summary
The arrangement has LEDs arranged on a LED-printed circuit board (PCB) at a narrow side, which forms a light coupling region of a planar light guide element. The light guide element radiates light, which is delivered from the LEDs and irradiated over the light coupling region, over flat sides. The flat sides are arranged perpendicular to the narrow side. The LED-PCB is fixed at the light guide element by a clamping element (20). The clamping element is designed in a C-shape, and includes two side arms (21) for clamping with the light guide element.