Flexible Polymer Light Guide for High-Contrast Alarms
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indicating/alarming apparatuses are not flexible and have limited application range, with poor contrast between the pattern and other regions due to the use of hard transparent acrylic plates and light-shielding layers.
Innovation Solution
A flexible indicating/alarming apparatus using an optically transparent polymer plate with light-emitting devices on a flexible circuit board, a light-shielding layer, and a light-reflecting layer, which allows light to exit from specific regions to enhance pattern visibility and contrast, and is protected from decay and external forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hard and thick transparent acrylic plates are used as light-guiding plates, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and application range are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces hard transparent acrylic plates with flexible transparent polymer films as the light-guiding structure. This allows the indicating apparatus to be bent and adapted to various surfaces, significantly improving flexibility and application range while maintaining light-guiding functionality through the polymer film's optical properties
2Manufacturing precision
If light-shielding layers are used to exhibit patterns, then pattern definition is achieved, but contrast between pattern and other regions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using light-shielding layers to create patterns (blocking light to define patterns), the patent inverts the approach by using light-exiting regions to define patterns. The pattern areas are designed to allow light to exit through specific regions of the polymer film, while other areas use light-reflecting layers. This inversion significantly enhances pattern contrast and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the polymer film: light-exiting regions for pattern areas and light-reflecting layers for non-pattern areas. This local differentiation of optical characteristics creates high contrast between pattern and non-pattern regions, improving visual clarity
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 solution provides a flexible apparatus with expanded application range and improved contrast between the pattern and other regions, enabling effective indication and alarming while being resistant to environmental factors.
Implementation Method 1
sites on the upper surface and the lower surface whose total reflection is broken
Implementation Method 2
The light-shielding layer and the light reflecting layer are formed to respectively overlay the upper surface and lower surface
Implementation Method 3
The light-shielding layer and the light reflecting layer are formed to respectively overlay the upper surface and lower surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention discloses an indicating/alarming apparatus which includes an optically transparent polymer plate, a light-shielding layer, a flexible circuit board, a plurality of light-emitting devices and a light-reflecting layer. The light-shielding layer is formed to overlay an upper surface of the optically transparent polymer plate. The plurality of light-emitting devices are soldered on the flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board is mounted on a lower surface of the optically transparent polymer plate such that the plurality of light-emitting devices are disposed within an opening formed on the lower surface of the optically transparent polymer plate. Each light-emitting device emits a light entering from a light incident face of the opening into the optically transparent polymer plate which guides, due to total reflection, the light to exit from a top side surface, a bottom side surface, a first edge surface, a second edge surface and sites on surfaces whose total reflection is broken. The light-reflecting layer is formed to overlay the lower surface of the optically transparent polymer plate to reflect the light.