Illumination Module Hiding Pattern When LEDs Off
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination modules for electronic devices leave a visible trace of patterns when LEDs are disabled, resulting in an aesthetically unpleasing appearance.
Innovation Solution
An illumination module comprising a circuit board, light-emitting elements, and a light guide plate, housed within a casing with transparent pattern parts and a dark main body, produced using two-component injection molding, and coated with a light-transmissible paint layer, featuring recesses for the elements and guide plates, which hides the pattern when LEDs are off.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a transparent plastic material with black pigment is molded as a semi-transparent casing and laser engraving is performed to form a playback pattern, then the brand name text or pattern can be illuminated when the LED is enabled, but the trace of the playback pattern remains visible when the LED is disabled resulting in poor appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The casing is divided into two distinct parts: a dark non-transparent main body and transparent pattern parts. This segmentation allows the pattern areas to be transparent for light transmission while the main body remains dark to hide the pattern when illumination is off, resolving the appearance quality issue.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the casing have different optical properties: the main body is made dark and non-transparent to conceal the pattern, while the pattern parts are made transparent to allow light transmission. This local differentiation of material properties solves the contradiction between illumination effect and appearance quality.
2Ease of manufacture
If the illumination module is designed with traditional structure, then the components can be installed, but the thickness is large and not suitable for slim electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate is placed inside a receiving recess formed in the casing, creating a nested structure. This nesting allows the illumination components to be compactly arranged within the casing thickness, reducing the overall module thickness while maintaining proper component installation and functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The receiving recess creates a three-dimensional arrangement where components are positioned at different depths within the casing. This dimensional optimization allows compact integration of the LED and light guide plate without increasing the planar footprint, enabling slim device design.
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 provides an aesthetically pleasing appearance by concealing the pattern when LEDs are disabled and allows for a slim, miniaturized design suitable for electronic devices, with reduced thickness and uniform light diffusion through micro openings in the light guide plates.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide plate is installed on the circuit board and located near the light-emitting element. The light beam is guided by the light guide plate, so that a direction of the light beam is changed.
Implementation Method 2
The pattern part is located at the main body. When the light-emitting element emits the light beam, the light beam is guided by the light guide plate and projected to the pattern part, so that a luminous pattern corresponding to the pattern part is visible.
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination module includes a circuit board, a light-emitting element, a light guide plate and a casing. The light-emitting element is installed on the circuit board. The light-emitting element emits a light beam. The light guide plate is installed on the circuit board and located near the light-emitting element. The light beam is guided by the light guide plate. The circuit board, the light-emitting element and the light guide plate are covered by the casing. The casing includes a main body, a pattern part and a receiving recess. The receiving recess is located near the pattern part and exposed to a bottom surface of the main body. The light-emitting element is accommodated within the receiving recess.