Indicator Lamp Sealing Element for Splash-Proof Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signage lights with LEDs and light guide plates have limited durability and resistance to environmental influences, and their light emission properties can be improved.
Innovation Solution
A signage light design featuring LEDs arranged along the side surface of a light guide plate, a frame element, and two light exit disks, with a sealing element in a closed ring shape made of thermoplastic elastomer, providing a U-shaped groove for uniform light distribution and edge illumination, and a reflective surface for enhanced edge illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing element is added between the frame element and light-emitting panes, then resistance to environmental influences is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a sealing element in the form of a flexible profile (made of rubber material or thermoplastic elastomer) that creates a seal between the frame element and light-emitting panes. This flexible sealing component provides splash-proof protection (IPX4 rating) while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure, resolving the contradiction between environmental resistance and device complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If LEDs are arranged along the side surface of the light guide plate, then light emission properties are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide plate as an intermediary component between the LEDs and the light-emitting panes. The LEDs are coupled into the light guide plate, which then distributes the light uniformly across the front and rear surfaces. This intermediary structure enables improved light emission properties while reducing the precision requirements for LED placement, as the light guide plate compensates for variations in LED positioning.
3Shape
If the frame element is made narrow, then aesthetic appeal is improved, but sealing difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from attempting to achieve sealing through horizontal frame width to solving it through vertical dimensioning. The profiled sealing element with its U-shaped groove and extending legs provides sealing functionality in the vertical direction, allowing the frame element to be made narrow horizontally for aesthetic purposes while maintaining effective sealing through the vertically-oriented sealing profile.
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 design achieves improved sealing and light output, ensuring splash-proof protection and maintaining the aesthetic appeal with a narrow frame and uniform illumination, enhancing the signage light's durability and environmental resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element, which is arranged in a sealing manner between the frame element and the first light-emitting pane and also in a sealing manner between the frame element and the second light-emitting pane
Implementation Method 2
a light guide plate with a front surface that is planar in a first approximation, a rear surface and a side surface on the edge that connects the front surface with the rear surface, the LEDs being arranged along the side surface in such a way are arranged so that the light is coupled into the light guide plate
Implementation Method 3
This marginal illumination is also supported if the flank has a white and/or a reflective surface. Advantageously, the entire sealing element has a white and/or a reflective surface.
Data Source
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AI summary
The reference lamp has light conductor plate (3) having front surface (4) and back surface (5) which are connected by edge side surface (6). The LEDs (2) for emitting light are arranged along edge side surface such that the light is emitted into the light conductor plate. A frame element is arranged around light conductor plate and LEDs. The light exit discs (8,9) are arranged in the right and left sides of the light conductor plate. A seal element (10) is arranged between the frame element and light exit discs.