Light-Emitting Element With Inclined Opening for Reduced Light Spread

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Solution Overview

Problem

Light emitting elements suffer from light spread due to their internal structures, leading to reduced light quantity and deterioration of visual effects.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting element structure featuring a light shield portion with an opening having an inclined surface at one end, a sealing portion to prevent light leakage, and a transmission portion to direct light in a parallel path, minimizing light spread.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional light emitting element structure is used, then the device is simple and easy to manufacture, but light spread occurs causing reduced light quantity and deteriorated visual effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight quantityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light emitting element is divided into multiple functional portions: a light emitting portion, a light shield portion with opening, a sealing portion, and a transmission portion. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function (light emission, light direction control, light leakage prevention, and light transmission) independently, thereby preventing light spread while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through modular assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The opening in the light shield portion is configured with specific dimensional characteristics (size, shape, and orientation) to control light propagation in different spatial dimensions. By adjusting the opening's dimensions and the transmission portion's geometry, the patent directs light primarily in the forward direction while blocking lateral spread, thus improving light quantity without excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If a light shield portion with opening is added to prevent light spread, then visual effect is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual effectVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functions are merged into single components to reduce overall device complexity. The light shield portion simultaneously performs light blocking, light direction control (through its opening), and structural support. The transmission portion combines light transmission with potential light diffusion or focusing functions. This merging reduces the number of separate components while achieving the desired visual effect.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each component is designed to perform multiple functions. The light shield portion not only blocks light but also defines the light emission pattern through its opening geometry. The sealing portion prevents light leakage while providing structural integrity and potentially serving as a mounting interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If sealing portion is positioned between light shield portion and PCB, then light leakage is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakage preventionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing portion is implemented as a thin, flexible sealing element (such as a gasket or seal ring) that can be easily positioned between the light shield portion and the PCB. This flexible sealing structure conforms to the mating surfaces, ensuring light leakage prevention while allowing for simple assembly through compression or adhesive bonding, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing portion acts as an intermediary element between the light shield portion and the PCB, creating a light-tight interface. This intermediary component simplifies the manufacturing process by providing a dedicated sealing interface that can be pre-formed and then assembled, rather than requiring complex integrated sealing structures or post-assembly modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents light spread, enhancing the visual effect by maintaining light intensity and clarity, improving user recognition of visual signals.

Implementation Method 1

the opening has an inclined surface that is an outer circumferential surface located at one end of the opening away from the light emitting portion and widened in the direction away from the light emitting portion, such that light is reflected from a flat surface of the opening, then reflected from the inclined surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3819948B1Light-emitting element and aerosol generation device comprising same
Publication Date: 2025.08.13 KT&G CO LTD
  • EP3819948B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3819948B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3819948B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A light emitting element according to an embodiment includes: a light emitting portion mounted on a PCB and configured to emit light; a light shield portion spaced from the PCB and having an opening that is formed at a location corresponding to the light emitting portion and passes light emitted from the light emitting portion; a sealing portion positioned between the light shield portion and the PCB and configured to prevent light emitted from the light emitting portion from leaking between the light shield portion and the PCB; and a transmission portion contacting one surface of the light shield portion and configured to transmit light, the one surface facing a direction away from the light emitting portion, wherein the opening has an inclined surface that is an outer circumferential surface located at one end of the opening in the direction away from the light emitting portion and widened in the direction away from the light emitting portion such that spread of light that passed through the opening is prevented.