Half-Mirror Housing Backlit Display Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with attachable backlit displays for logos or images require additional space and manufacturing complexity, leading to increased costs.
Innovation Solution
Integrating a half-mirror region with opaque particles molded into the housing of the electronic device, allowing light from a light source to pass through for backlit display elements, which are formed as an integral component during the injection molding process, reducing the need for additional assembly and space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an attachable backlit display is added to the electronic device, then the display functionality is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the display element, housing, and backlighting into a single integrated component. The display element is molded directly into the housing during injection molding, eliminating the need for separate attachable displays and reducing assembly steps while maintaining display functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, contains the display element, and integrates the backlighting system. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies manufacturing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an attachable backlit display is added to the electronic device, then the display functionality is improved, but the device space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The display element is merged with the housing structure, utilizing the existing housing space rather than adding separate display components. This integration eliminates the need for additional space allocation for separate display elements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additional assembly steps are added for the backlit display, then the display functionality is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The display element is pre-integrated into the housing during the injection molding process itself, rather than being added as a separate component afterward. This preliminary integration eliminates subsequent assembly steps and reduces manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection molding process simultaneously creates the housing structure and integrates the display element, combining multiple manufacturing operations into a single process step, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
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
Enables a compact and cost-effective integration of graphical elements within the device housing, maintaining a standard appearance without illumination, while providing a backlit display effect when necessary.
Implementation Method 1
a back wall formed by a plurality of walls for supporting various types of components of the electronic device therein, and a display element molded into the back wall such that the display element is an integral component of the back wall
Implementation Method 2
display element molded into the back wall such that the display element is an integral component of the back wall
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device comprises a housing having a half-mirror region molded into the housing, and a light source disposed within the electronic device and configured to transmit light through the half-mirror region to an exterior of the housing.