Light Guide Coating for Halo Concealment and Electrical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Selecting a light extractor for back-lighting a liquid crystal display device that provides adequate illumination without affecting display contrast and aesthetics is challenging, particularly in integrated devices like wristwatches, where halos of light from point sources are visible and electrically conductive absorbing materials risk short-circuits when used as both a lighting and connector guide.
Innovation Solution
A light guide coated with an electrically non-conductive light-absorbing material in the light injection areas conceals halos from view while preventing electrical short circuits, allowing for precise application without excessive precision, as it serves both as a lighting system and electrical connector guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an electrically conductive light-absorbing material is used to conceal light halos, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but electrical short-circuits occur between the connector and light guide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the light-absorbing material from conductive to non-conductive. This allows the material to maintain its light-absorbing function for halo concealment while eliminating the harmful electrical conductivity that causes short-circuits between the connector and light guide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a non-conductive light-absorbing material that can be applied as a coating or layer on the light guide surface. This material serves its purpose of concealing halos without creating electrical hazards, and can be applied in a practical manner without requiring excessive precision in positioning.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide serves as both a lighting system and connector guide, then device integration is improved, but the risk of electrical short-circuits increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed to perform multiple functions: guiding electrical connectors and concealing light halos. The patent resolves the electrical short-circuit risk by specifying that the light-absorbing material must be non-conductive, allowing the same structure to safely fulfill both functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the electrical conductivity parameter of the coating material to non-conductive, the patent enables the light guide to safely serve dual purposes without the risk of electrical short-circuits between the connector and light guide structures.
3Reliability
If light-absorbing material is applied to conceal halos, then manufacturing precision requirements increase, but electrical safety improves
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a non-conductive light-absorbing material that can be applied in a practical manner without requiring excessive precision. The non-conductive nature of the material provides a safety margin that tolerates variations in application precision, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining electrical safety.
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 effectively conceals light halos from the user's view and avoids electrical short circuits, ensuring uniform lighting and reliable electrical connections in display devices like wristwatches.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (2) used both as a lighting system for a display device (16) and also as a guide element for an electrical connector (10) in which the halos generated by the light sources (14) which inject light into the guide are concealed from the user's view by a layer of electrically non-conductive material which absorbs light
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system for an information display device, the lighting system including a light guide including at least one area into which the light produced by a light source is injected, the light guide also being used as a guide element for at least one electrical connector for the electrical connection between the information display device and an electronic control circuit of the information display device, wherein the light guide is coated, in the light injection area, with a layer of electrically non-conductive material which absorbs light.