Light-Conducting Locking Lever for I/O Module Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic modules for I/O modular systems lack visibility and clear indication of operational states in dark environments, making them difficult to actuate and diagnose for malfunctions.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light-conducting locking lever with a built-in LED light source and a return spring, allowing for illumination and color-coded indication of operational states, and a compact design with a detachable cover for enhanced visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a locking lever is provided for securing the electronic module, then the module can be reliably mounted, but the locking lever is not visible in dark environments and cannot indicate operational states
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the locking lever with a light-conducting element and integrates a light source directly into the locking lever structure. This merging of functions allows the locking lever to simultaneously perform its mechanical locking function and provide visual indication through light transmission, resolving the contradiction between visibility improvement and structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever is designed to serve multiple functions: mechanical locking, visual indication of locking state, and operational status indication through color-coded lighting. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component to address both the visibility requirement and maintain structural efficiency.
2Illumination intensity
If the locking lever is made transparent or light-conducting to improve visibility, then it can be seen in dark environments, but the mechanical strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the locking lever, combining transparent or light-conducting materials with structurally reinforcing elements. This allows the lever to maintain mechanical strength while incorporating light-conducting properties for visibility and indication purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever features localized transparency or light-conducting properties in specific regions (such as the actuating end) while maintaining opaque, strength-critical sections. This local quality differentiation ensures visibility where needed without compromising overall mechanical strength.
3Loss of information
If a light source is integrated into the locking lever to provide illumination and indication, then operational states can be indicated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is integrated directly into the locking lever structure rather than being a separate component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the information indication function.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever structure itself serves as the light-conducting pathway, utilizing its own material properties to transmit light from the integrated source. This self-service approach eliminates the need for separate light guides or additional optical components.
4Ease of manufacture
If the locking lever is designed as a single integrated component with light-conducting properties, then manufacturing is simplified, but customization of indication colors becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes changes in material parameters, particularly the addition of color pigments or fluorescent additives to the transparent material of the locking lever. This allows customization of indication colors while maintaining the integrated manufacturing approach and light-conducting properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking lever incorporates composite materials with different optical properties, including transparent base materials and colored or fluorescent additives. This enables color-coded indication capabilities while maintaining structural integrity and manufacturability through integrated construction.
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 clear visibility and easy actuation of the locking lever in dark environments, enables color-coded indication of operational states, and enhances operational safety by preventing unintentional detachment of the electronic module.
Implementation Method 1
the light source is a LED
Implementation Method 2
the locking lever has at least one light-conducting portion
Implementation Method 3
a return spring is integrated into the locking lever
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic module for an I/O modular system comprises a housing, a plug-in connection for the coupling to a connection of the I/O modular system, and at least one locking lever which has an actuating end arranged on the side turned away from the plug-in connection, and a locking portion. The locking lever has at least one light-conducting portion. A light source is associated with the locking lever. A light exit face is provided in the region of the actuating end of the locking lever.