Gateway Device Light Pipe Structure for Compact Visual Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Home automation systems require a compact and aesthetically pleasing gateway device that efficiently connects wireless networks to the Internet, while providing user feedback and minimizing physical interaction.
Innovation Solution
A wireless load control system featuring a gateway device with a light bar around its enclosure for visual feedback and aesthetic appeal, incorporating a printed circuit board, light-emitting diodes, and a multi-functional mounting structure with integrated light-pipe structures for uniform illumination, along with an antenna and wireless communication circuit for signal transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the gateway device is made small to save space, then the device occupies less physical space, but it becomes difficult to provide adequate user feedback and maintain aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light-pipe structure as an intermediary component that transports light from a compact LED source to the enclosure perimeter, enabling effective visual feedback in a small device. The light-pipe acts as a mediator between the light source and the user interface, allowing the gateway to provide adequate feedback despite its reduced size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical or bulky visual feedback mechanisms with an optical system using LEDs and light-pipes. This substitution allows for compact design while maintaining effective user feedback capability, as the optical system can be integrated into small form factors without compromising feedback visibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple components (light-emitting diode, light-pipe structure, antenna, mounting structure) are integrated into the gateway device, then the device provides comprehensive functionality, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional components into a single integrated gateway device. The light-emitting diode, light-pipe structure, antenna, and mounting structure are merged into one device housing, allowing comprehensive functionality (visual feedback, wireless communication, structural support) to be achieved without requiring separate devices for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device is designed as a multi-functional unit that simultaneously provides visual feedback through the light-pipe system, wireless communication through the antenna, and structural mounting capabilities. This universal design allows a single device to perform multiple functions that would traditionally require separate components or devices.
3Shape
If the gateway device is designed with aesthetic considerations, then the appearance improves, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses light-emitting diodes that can emit different colors to provide both aesthetic appeal and functional feedback. The color-changing capability of LEDs allows the gateway device to have an attractive appearance while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as the same component serves both aesthetic and communicative functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-pipe structure is designed to follow the contours of the enclosure, creating smooth curved light bars that enhance the aesthetic appearance. This curved design integrates seamlessly with the device housing, providing an attractive appearance without requiring complex separate lighting assemblies.
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 compact, visually appealing gateway device that offers effective user feedback and wireless connectivity, enhancing the usability and appearance of home automation systems.
Implementation Method 1
a light-emitting diode mounted to the printed circuit board
Implementation Method 2
The light-pipe structure may be configured to conduct light from the at least one light-emitting diode in the lateral direction along the side of the enclosure to generate the light bar
Data Source
AI summary
A control device, such as a gateway device for a wireless load control system, has a light bar extending around a periphery of an enclosure to provide feedback to a user of the load control system, as well as to provide a pleasing aesthetic effect on the gateway device. The control device may include at least one light-emitting diode mounted to a printed circuit board inside the enclosure, a control circuit mounted to the printed circuit board and operatively coupled to the light-emitting diode for controllably illuminating the light-emitting diode, and a multi-functional mounting structure for mounting the printed circuit board inside the enclosure. The mounting structure may have at least one light-pipe structure for conducting light from the at least one light-emitting diode to the light bar. The mounting structure may have an antenna-mounting structure to which an antenna of the control device may be mounted.