Fluorophore-Infused Sensor Indicator Layer for Off-Center Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial sensors face challenges in visibility, particularly when viewed from large off-center angles due to light being reflected, scattered, or absorbed by the sensor housing and epoxy potting material, leading to dim indicator lights and non-uniform illumination.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an illuminated fluorophore-infused substrate in the sensor indicator layer, which absorbs and modifies the light source's emission to enhance visibility, using fluorophores such as fluorescent dyes, nano-phosphors, or quantum dots to emit modified light from the end walls, and employing a housing to enclose the light sources and indicator layers for maximum visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional light sources are used in sensor indicators, then the device structure is simple, but the visibility of indicators is poor when viewed from large off-center angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color conversion by embedding fluorophores (such as yellow, orange, or red fluorophores) within the indicator layer that convert the blue or violet light from the LED to longer wavelengths, enhancing visibility from various angles while maintaining a simple device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the LED light source with fluorophore-containing indicator layers, creating a material composite that converts light wavelengths and improves indicator visibility without adding complex optical structures
2Illumination intensity
If brighter light sources are used to improve visibility, then indicator visibility is enhanced, but the electrical current load on the base circuit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters by using fluorophores with specific excitation and emission wavelengths, allowing the use of lower-power LEDs that emit blue or violet light, which is then converted to brighter visible wavelengths, thereby reducing electrical current load while maintaining or enhancing visibility
3Illumination intensity
If light pipes or optical structures are added to guide light, then light transmission is improved, but the housing size increases to accommodate additional structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide function with the indicator layer itself by embedding fluorophores directly in the indicator material, eliminating the need for separate light pipes or optical structures, thereby maintaining efficient light transmission while reducing housing size
4Reliability
If epoxy potting material is used to encapsulate the light source, then the light source is protected, but most of the light is scattered or absorbed preventing it from escaping to the external environment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fluorophores that absorb the protected light wavelength and re-emit at different wavelengths, converting the trapped light energy into visible light that can escape the epoxy potting material, thereby maintaining light source protection while improving light escape efficiency
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 significantly enhances sensor indicator visibility and uniformity, allowing the indicators to be seen from various angles without the need for brighter light sources or additional optical structures, reducing costs and housing size while maintaining efficient illumination.
Implementation Method 1
one or more fluorophores embedded in the indicator layer, wherein the transmitted light is reflected inside the indicator layer and absorbed by the fluorophore to generate enhanced light that is emitted from the end walls
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods for providing sensor indication and enhancing sensor indication are disclosed. In one embodiment, a sensor indication is provided by sensing an operational status at a sensor circuit, generating a signal at the sensor circuit based on the sensed operational status, utilizing the signal to activate a light source, transmitting light into a first indicator layer with the light source, wherein the first indicator layer includes a fluorophore embedded within a substrate, and wherein the one or more fluorophores modify at least one characteristic of the transmitted light from the light source, and emitting the modified transmitted light from an end wall of the first indicator layer.