Illumination Switch with Curved Light Guide for Uniform Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination switches experience brightness unevenness on the operation knob's illumination surface when it rotates relative to the light source due to changes in the light path guidance.
Innovation Solution
A light guide body that rotates integrally with the operation knob, featuring a concavely curved incident surface recessed towards the opposite side of the light source and a rotation shaft intersecting or located at the light source side, ensures consistent light entry and distribution across the illumination surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the operation knob rotates relative to the light source, then the operation can be performed, but brightness unevenness occurs on the illumination surface
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide body is integrated with the operation knob as a single integral structure, ensuring they rotate together as one unit. This merging eliminates relative rotation between the light guide body and operation knob, maintaining consistent light path geometry and preventing brightness unevenness during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The incident surface of the light guide body is designed with a concave curved shape instead of a flat surface. This curvature allows the light guide body to maintain optimal light reception geometry during rotation, ensuring uniform light entry and distribution across the illumination surface regardless of the rotation angle.
2Ease of manufacture
If the light guide body is separate from the operation knob, then assembly is easier, but light path consistency during rotation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide body and operation knob are formed as a single integral component through injection molding or similar manufacturing processes. This integration ensures precise relative positioning and consistent light path geometry during rotation, eliminating the need for separate assembly while maintaining manufacturing feasibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If the incident surface is flat, then manufacturing is simpler, but light entry efficiency during rotation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The incident surface is designed with a concave curved cross-section that optimizes light reception geometry. This curvature enables the light guide body to efficiently capture and guide light from the light source during rotation, maintaining high light entry efficiency and uniform illumination despite the increased manufacturing complexity.
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 configuration maintains even brightness on the operation knob's illumination surface during rotation by ensuring continuous efficient light entry and guidance, preventing illumination unevenness and simplifying production through integral molding of the light guide body with the operation knob.
Implementation Method 1
a cross-section of the incident surface of the light guide body is a concavely curved surface that is recessed toward a side opposite to the light source
Implementation Method 2
Light R3 after the refraction propagates through the interior of the second light guide member 30 and is reflected by a reflection surface 23
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide body rotates integrally with an operation knob, has an incident surface that is a concavely curved surface recessed to a side opposite to a light source side, and rotates about a rotation shaft located so as to intersect the incident surface of the light guide body. The incident surface of the light guide body is a concavely curved surface recessed toward the side opposite to the light source (toward a Z1 direction) on a cross-section taken along an X-Z plane.