Illuminating Device with Light Guide and Diffuser for 3D Symbols

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illuminating devices with flat base sheets struggle to create a three-dimensional operation surface and are costly due to the need for side-view LEDs, which limits decorative appearance and increases part costs.

Innovation Solution

A thin and low-cost illuminating device design featuring a circuit board, a first light emitting member, a housing, a transparent support member, a light diffusing member, and a light guide member, where the light guide member is bent or curved to guide light to the side surface of the diffusing member, allowing for a three-dimensional operation surface with reduced part count and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flat base sheet is used for light guiding, then light guiding properties are maintained, but the operation surface cannot have a three-dimensional shape

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional shape of operation surfaceVSAvoidlight guiding properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device is divided into separate functional components: a light guide member for light transmission, a support member for structural support and three-dimensional shaping, and a light diffusing member for illumination. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support member acts as an intermediary between the light guide member and the operation surface. It receives the light guide member with a flat bottom surface, provides the desired three-dimensional shape, and supports the light diffusing member, thereby enabling both light guiding reliability and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If a side-view LED is used to illuminate from the side surface of the light guiding sheet, then illumination is achieved, but part cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination of symbolsVSAvoidpart cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a side-view LED to illuminate from the side, the invention uses a top-view LED that emits light downward onto a light diffusing member. This inverted approach achieves the same illumination effect using more common, cost-effective top-view LEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The light diffusing member serves as an intermediary between the top-view LED and the operation surface. It diffuses the light from the LED to illuminate the symbols on the operation surface, achieving effective illumination without requiring expensive side-view LEDs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Shape

If the base sheet is curved to create a three-dimensional shape, then decorative appearance improves, but light guiding properties decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional shapeVSAvoidlight guiding properties

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device separates the light guiding function from the structural shaping function. The light guide member maintains a flat bottom surface for optimal light guiding, while the support member provides the three-dimensional shape and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The three-dimensional shape is achieved in a different dimension by the support member rather than by curving the light guide member itself. This allows the light guide to remain flat while the overall device structure gains dimensional complexity for aesthetic purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 enables a thin, low-cost illuminating device with a three-dimensional operation surface, improving decorative appearance and reducing manufacturing costs by using fewer and less expensive LEDs, while ensuring uniform illumination of symbols.

Implementation Method 1

The light guide member is configured to guide the light, emitted from the first light emitting member, to the side surface of the light diffusing member

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the light diffusing member has a side surface that receives the light, is fixed to the second surface of the support member, and is configured to diffuse the light toward the symbol

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS11415739B2Illuminating device comprising a symbol and input device comprising the same

Publication Date: 2022.08.16 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD

AI summary

An illuminating device including a circuit board, a first light emitting member, a housing, a transparent support member, a light diffusing member, and a light guide member is provided. The first light emitting member is disposed on the top surface of the circuit board to emit light. The housing is disposed to cover the circuit board from above, and has a symbol configured to be illuminated by the light. The support member is disposed under the housing. A first surface of the support member is shaped to conform to the bottom surface of the housing and a second surface of the support member is flat. The light diffusing member has a side surface that receives the light, is fixed to the second surface of the support member, and diffuses the light toward the symbol. The light guide member guides the light to the side surface of the light diffusing member.