Glass-Layer Light Guide Plate for Chemical-Resistant Gaming Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide plate units in gaming machines face issues with visibility due to sebum attachment and chemical reactions, leading to increased part count and thickness when separate cover members are used.
Innovation Solution
A light guide plate unit with a glass layer on the light exit surface, integrated with a transparent resin body, allowing easy cleaning and reduced thickness by integrating the glass layer with the light guide plate body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate transparent top panel is used to cover the light guide plate, then the light guide plate is protected from direct contact and sebum attachment, but the number of parts increases and the thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the protective cover function with the light guide plate itself by forming a glass layer directly on the light exit surface of the light guide plate body. This integration eliminates the need for a separate transparent top panel, thereby reducing the number of parts while maintaining the protective function against sebum attachment and chemical damage
2Reliability
If a separate transparent top panel is used to cover the light guide plate, then the light guide plate is protected from direct contact and sebum attachment, but the thickness of the light guide plate unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective glass layer is integrated directly onto the light guide plate body, eliminating the need for a separate spaced top panel. This merging approach maintains protection functionality while minimizing the overall thickness of the light guide plate unit
3Ease of operation
If alcohol is used for disinfection on the light guide plate, then disinfection is achieved, but the light guide plate turns white due to chemical reaction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the light exit surface from transparent resin to glass. This material substitution fundamentally alters the chemical resistance properties, allowing the surface to withstand alcohol-based disinfectants without undergoing the whitening reaction that occurs with resin materials
4Length of stationary object
If a thin configuration is adopted to reduce thickness, then the light guide plate unit becomes thinner, but it becomes more susceptible to chemical damage and sebum attachment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite structure by forming a glass layer on the light guide plate body. This composite material approach combines the thin profile advantage with the chemical resistance and sebum resistance properties of glass, achieving both thinness and high reliability simultaneously
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
Facilitates easy removal of dirt with chemicals, reduces part count, and minimizes thickness while maintaining visibility, thus enhancing the gaming machine's functionality and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the light guide plate having the glass layer has the glass layer on the light exit surface... can easily wipe off dirt by using a chemical
Implementation Method 2
a light source, located on a side surface of the light guide plate having the glass layer and supplying light into the light guide plate body
Implementation Method 3
By applying fine machining of any arbitrary pattern to the light guide plate, the pattern is illuminated by supplying light from a light source into the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide plate unit includes: a first light guide plate (11) that is a light guide plate having a glass layer, and has the glass layer on a light exit surface of a light guide plate body (D); a light source (14), located on a side surface of the first light guide plate (11) and supplying light into the light guide plate body (D); and a housing (30). The housing (30) has an opening (32a). The first light guide plate (11) is disposed, so that the side of the glass layer faces the opening (32a) of the frame (32) to block the opening (32a).