Flexible Elastomeric Light Guides for Wearable Visual Output and Touch Sensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with flexible structures face challenges in incorporating functional electrical components due to their rigidity, which interferes with device operation and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a light guide structure formed from transparent elastomeric materials like silicone, allowing light to be guided through flexible pathways within the device, with light-scattering structures to emit light and optical isolation layers to confine it, while also enabling touch detection through deformation sensing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid electrical components are used to provide desired functionality, then functional performance is improved, but device flexibility and aesthetics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by using flexible light guide members made from elastomeric materials instead of rigid optical components. These flexible members can bend and conform to the device's flexible housing, allowing the device to change shape while maintaining optical functionality. The flexible material enables the device to be worn on various body parts without compromising the light guide's ability to transmit light.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining elastomeric flexible material with optical properties in the light guide members. This composite approach allows the material to simultaneously provide flexibility for device movement and optical transparency for light transmission, resolving the contradiction between functional performance and device flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light guide members are made flexible to accommodate device movement, then device adaptability is improved, but light confinement and transmission efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by creating light-scattering structures at specific locations along the light guide members. These localized scattering regions allow light to escape only where needed for visual output, while the rest of the light guide member maintains its light-guiding properties. This ensures efficient light transmission to the desired output locations while preserving the flexible nature of the members.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optical isolation layers as intermediaries between the light guide members and the external environment. These layers help confine light within the flexible light guide members by providing optical contrast, ensuring that light travels efficiently through the flexible material without leaking prematurely, thus maintaining transmission efficiency despite the flexible construction.
3Illumination intensity
If light-scattering structures are added to emit light, then visual output capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide function and light scattering function into a single integrated structure. The light guide members themselves contain embedded light-scattering structures, eliminating the need for separate light scattering components. This integration reduces device complexity while maintaining the ability to provide visual output through the flexible light guide.
4Adaptability or versatility
If detectors are coupled to light guide ends for touch detection, then input sensing capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies this principle by enabling the flexible light guide members to serve multiple functions: light transmission for visual output and mechanical deformation sensing for touch detection. The same flexible structure that allows device adaptability also enables touch sensing when coupled with detectors, reducing the need for separate sensing components and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 allows for flexible and aesthetically pleasing electronic devices that can provide visual output and sense touch inputs effectively, accommodating movement and shape changes without compromising functionality.
Implementation Method 1
the light guide members may have elongated strip shapes and the light may travel along the lengths of the light guide members in accordance with the principal of total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
The light guide members may have light-scattering structures that are configured to scatter light out of the light guide members at one or more locations along the lengths of the light guide members
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device such as a wearable device may have a light guide system. The light guide system may have one or more light guide members. The light guide members may be formed from transparent elastomeric material such as silicone or other flexible material. Light sources such as light-emitting diodes and/or lasers may be used to supply light to the light guide members. The light guide members may have light-scattering structures that are configured to scatter light out of the light guide members at one or more locations along the lengths of the light guide members. Optical isolation layers such as coatings of white polymer or other flexible structures may be used to help confine light within the light guide members. A detector may be coupled to a light guide to detect light guide deformation due to contact with an external object.