Indicator Lamp Reflector Geometry for Distance Visibility Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing indicator lamps in electronic devices like printers are difficult to see from a distance but too bright when close, requiring improved light directivity and uniformity of light distribution without increasing size or altering device design.
Innovation Solution
An indicator lamp with a light source emitting parallel light and a light reflecting member featuring reflecting surfaces arranged in conical or polygonal pyramid shapes to direct light uniformly in specific directions, ensuring visibility from various angles while maintaining a uniform light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the indicator lamp emits light with high light amount to be visible from distant positions, then visibility from distance is improved, but brightness becomes too high for users working near the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different light emission characteristics in different spatial zones. The light reflecting member is designed to direct light preferentially toward distant viewing positions while limiting light intensity in near-field directions, thus providing high visibility from distance without excessive brightness for nearby users
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces directional control as an additional dimension to light emission. By using a light reflecting member with specific geometric configuration (conical or polygonal pyramid surfaces), the system transforms omnidirectional light emission into directionally selective emission, adding spatial distribution control to the light emission characteristics
2Adaptability or versatility
If the indicator lamp is designed without directivity to be visible from any position, then visibility uniformity is improved, but light amount becomes too high for nearby users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the uniform light emission by creating zone-dependent characteristics. The light reflecting member directs light preferentially toward certain angular ranges (distant positions) while suppressing light intensity in other directions (near positions), thus maintaining adaptability for distant viewing while reducing brightness for nearby users
3Illumination intensity
If the size of the indicator lamp is increased to improve visibility from distance, then light emission intensity is improved, but device size and design flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by introducing a light reflecting member with specific geometric configurations (conical or polygonal pyramid surfaces). This allows the same physical lamp size to produce enhanced directional light emission intensity, effectively increasing visibility from distance without physically enlarging the indicator lamp
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 indicator lamp that is easily visible from a distance with controlled brightness near the device, enhancing user awareness of device status without excessive brightness or size alterations.
Implementation Method 1
a light reflecting member on which light emitted from the light source is incident and that reflects the incident light
Data Source
AI summary
A printing apparatus as an example of an electronic device includes an indicator lamp that emits light in a predetermined color when an abnormality occurs. The indicator lamp includes a light source, and a light reflecting member on which light emitted from the light source is incident and that reflects the incident light. The light reflecting member includes a reflecting surface at which light is reflected. The reflecting surface includes a plurality of individual reflecting surfaces formed in a surface shape of at least a part of a conical surface having an axis forming a predetermined angle with respect to a traveling direction of incident light. The plurality of individual reflecting surfaces are arranged side by side in a first direction intersecting the traveling direction of the incident light.