Illumination Feature for Electronic Devices Using Light Cone

Solution Overview

Problem

Manufacturers in the home security, monitoring, and automation markets seek ways to enhance brand recognition and identity of their products, as traditional methods like trademarks are insufficient in differentiating their devices in a competitive market.

Innovation Solution

An illumination feature is integrated into electronic devices, such as door or window sensors, which projects a geometric shape, design, or outline onto the device's housing using a light cone mechanism, allowing low-intensity light to pass through a specially designed housing cover to create a visible brand logo or symbol.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If LED packages are mounted in arrays on circuit boards within devices, then illumination coverage is improved, but the risk of thermal runaway and fire hazards increases due to wasted light energy converting to heat

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidfire hazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A heat-absorbing material is positioned between the LED package and the light output surface to intercept and absorb excess heat energy before it can cause thermal runaway or fire hazards, while allowing useful light to pass through

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat energy from LEDs into beneficial thermal energy by channeling it through thermoelectric generators that convert the heat into electrical energy, thereby reducing fire hazard while recovering energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Illumination intensity

If high power LEDs are used to provide sufficient illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but heat generation increases causing thermal runaway risk

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

A heat-absorbing material is positioned between the LED package and the light output surface to intercept and absorb excess heat energy before it can cause thermal runaway or fire hazards, while allowing useful light to pass through

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal parameters of the system by introducing materials with specific thermal properties (heat-absorbing material, thermoelectric generators) to manage and convert heat energy, thereby decoupling illumination intensity from harmful temperature rise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If LEDs are positioned close to the light output surface for efficient light transmission, then light efficiency is improved, but heat transfer to surrounding components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight efficiencyVSAvoidheat transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A heat-absorbing material is positioned between the LED package and the light output surface to intercept and absorb excess heat energy before it can cause thermal runaway or fire hazards, while allowing useful light to pass through

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful waste heat energy from LEDs into beneficial thermal energy by channeling it through thermoelectric generators that convert the heat into electrical energy, thereby reducing fire hazard while recovering energy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 illumination feature effectively enhances brand recognition and provides status indications, differentiating the manufacturer's products while maintaining device durability and functionality.

Implementation Method 1

At least a portion of the light energy and/or thermal energy wasted by the LED packages may be harvested by one or more thermoelectric generators

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSeebeck effect: Seebeck Effect

Implementation Method 2

In another embodiment, the illumination feature includes a heat-absorbing material positioned between each array of LED packages and the light output surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Data Source

PatentEP3724550B1Illumination feature for electronic devices

Publication Date: 2025.12.31 UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC

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AI summary

The present disclosure provides an illumination feature for an electronic device. A light cone is used to direct light from a light emitter to an interior surface of a housing of an electronic device in one of a variety of geometric, alphabetic, or numerical designs.