LED Light Spillage Prevention in In-Ear Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-ear headphones face challenges with light spillage from LED light sources due to spatial limitations, leading to false results and increased device size and cost when using conventional methods to mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves designing a housing with a printed circuit board and positioning electronic components around the LED light source to effectively block light spillage, utilizing existing components to minimize size, weight, and cost while maximizing space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional LEDs are used without additional light-blocking structures, then device size and cost are reduced, but light spillage increases causing false results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines light-blocking functionality with existing electronic components (PCB traces, component housings, mounting structures) rather than adding separate baffles or shields. This merging approach blocks light spillage without increasing overall device size, resolving the contradiction between preventing harmful light spillage and maintaining compact dimensions.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If expensive LEDs with coned apertures are used to limit side spillage, then light spillage is reduced, but device cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing electronic components serve dual purposes: their primary electronic function plus light-blocking function. The PCB traces, component bodies, and mounting structures naturally block light spillage without requiring additional light-blocking materials or expensive specialized LEDs, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture while reducing harmful light spillage.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If baffles or shields are added to control side spillage, then light spillage is reduced, but device size and bulk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges light-blocking functionality into the existing electronic component layout. The PCB trace routing, component placement, and structural elements are configured to naturally block light paths without requiring additional volumetric elements like baffles or shields, thus preventing light spillage while maintaining compact device volume.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If light-blocking components are added to prevent spillage, then light spillage is reduced, but device complexity and component count increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent configures existing electronic components to perform light-blocking functions in addition to their primary electronic roles. The PCB trace patterns, component housings, and mounting structures are designed to naturally obstruct light spillage paths, eliminating the need for separate light-blocking components and thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for designing an electronic device including at least one LED light source to reduce spillage of light from the at least one LED light source includes designing a housing, designing a printed circuit board for placement within the housing, positioning the at least one LED light source on the printed circuit board, and positioning a plurality of electronic components around the at least one LED light source on the printed circuit board to reduce spillage of the light from the at least one LED light source. The electronic device may be an in-ear device and the housing may be an ear piece housing.