Illuminated Panel Optical Isolation for Cross-Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in high-performance avionics and ground vehicle keypanels is achieving uniform light balancing across control buttons with varying light sources, as existing methods rely on labor-intensive manual adjustments and lack efficient automated solutions, especially when using shared light sources and common waveguides without optical isolation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of isolated and independently controlled backlighting subsystems for each control button, utilizing LEDs, switches, and microcontrollers to ensure precise light emission directly to symbology, with isolating structures preventing cross-illumination and allowing automated luminance adjustment through LED drivers and microcontrollers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If shared light sources and common waveguides are used without optical isolation, then device complexity is reduced, but light balancing precision deteriorates due to cross-illumination between control buttons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacklighting system structureVSAvoidlight balancing precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the common waveguide into multiple isolated optical paths by introducing optical isolation structures (such as opaque barriers or light-trapping structures) between adjacent control buttons. This segmentation prevents cross-illumination while maintaining the shared waveguide architecture, thus resolving the contradiction between system simplicity and light balancing precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local optical isolation measures at specific locations where cross-illumination occurs between control buttons. By adding selective opaque structures or light-absorbing materials at strategic positions within the waveguide, the system achieves precise light control for each button without fundamentally changing the overall shared waveguide design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual touch-up processes are used for light balancing, then adaptability to material variations is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to labor-intensive iterative adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to material variationsVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates optical isolation structures during the manufacturing process itself, rather than requiring post-manufacturing manual adjustments. By pre-configuring the waveguide with isolation elements that prevent cross-illumination, the system achieves accurate light balancing automatically, eliminating the need for labor-intensive iterative manual touch-up processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical adjustment process (operators applying white paint and black ink) with an optical solution based on structural isolation. The optical isolation structures passively control light distribution through their physical design, substituting human judgment and manual intervention with predetermined optical pathways and barriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are used to illuminate control buttons, then illumination coverage is improved, but light balancing difficulty increases due to natural variance in light source intensity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidlight balancing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts or removes the problematic element of direct light source-to-button coupling by introducing optical isolation structures. These structures prevent light from one button's LED from illuminating adjacent buttons, effectively decoupling the light sources from each other's influence. This allows each light source to be independently controlled and balanced without the complicating factor of cross-illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 approach eliminates the need for manual touch-up processes, ensures consistent and efficient light balancing, reduces the number of required lighting sources, and allows for precise luminance adjustment without affecting other control buttons, thereby enhancing the reliability and consistency of light output in illuminated panels.

Implementation Method 1

A light-emitting diode (LED) is attached to a substrate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode (LED): Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

An isolating structure ensures light emitted by the LED only illuminates the control symbology on the control button

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical isolation: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS8232492B1Electronically balanced illuminated panel

Publication Date: 2012.07.31 ROCKWELL COLLINS INC

AI summary

A keypanel assembly includes a light-emitting diode (LED) attached to a substrate. A switch is attached to the substrate. A control button is configured to actuate the switch. The control button permits light from the LED to pass through the control button to an outer surface of the control button to illuminate control symbology disposed thereon. An isolating structure ensures light emitted by the LED only illuminates the control symbology on the control button.