Integrated Light Guide Receptacle for Optical Crosstalk Isolation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

LED light guides in electronic device housings face optical crosstalk issues, which are typically addressed by adding additional plastic parts that increase tooling, parts, and assembly costs.

Innovation Solution

A light guide receptacle with integrated light bulkheads that mechanically and optically couple light guides, preventing crosstalk without the need for separate plastic parts, and includes features like recesses, beveled insertion members, and discharge barriers to enhance assembly and electrostatic protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional plastic parts are used to prevent optical crosstalk and extend clearance distances, then optical crosstalk is prevented and ESD protection is improved, but tooling costs, parts costs, and assembly costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical crosstalk preventionVSAvoidnumber of additional parts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the light guide holder and light bulkheads into a single integrated housing part. The light bulkheads are formed as integral components of the housing part itself, eliminating the need for separate plastic parts to prevent optical crosstalk and extend clearance distances. This merging of functions reduces parts count while maintaining ESD protection and optical isolation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing part serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, holds the light guides mechanically, prevents optical crosstalk through integrated light bulkheads, and extends clearance distances for ESD protection. By making the housing part multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for additional specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional plastic parts are used to prevent optical crosstalk, then optical decoupling is achieved, but assembly steps and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical decouplingVSAvoidassembly complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The light bulkheads are formed as integral components of the housing part, combining the housing structure with the optical isolation function. This eliminates separate assembly steps for installing additional plastic parts, as the optical decoupling structure is already built into the housing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If light guides are mechanically coupled via web or bar, then structural stability is improved, but positioning precision and assembly efficiency may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical coupling stabilityVSAvoidlight guide positioning

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light guides are designed with self-centering features that allow them to automatically position themselves during assembly. The mechanical coupling via web or bar combines with the integrated light bulkheads to provide both stability and precise positioning without requiring complex external fixtures or multiple assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 allows for efficient assembly, precise positioning, and optical decoupling of light guides, reducing crosstalk and electrostatic discharge risks without additional components, thereby lowering costs and simplifying the manufacturing process.

Implementation Method 1

the plurality of light bulkheads is configured to arrange the plurality of light guides, which are mechanically coupled to each other via a web or bar, respectively in intermediate spaces between two light bulkheads of the plurality of light bulkheads and to optically decouple spatially adjacent light guides from each other by means of the respective light bulkhead

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11782202B2Light guide receptacle for mounting a plurality of light guides

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 ABB AG(DE)

AI summary

A light guide receptacle for mounting a plurality of light guides in the interior of a housing part, with a plurality of light bulkheads, is configured to arrange the plurality of light guides, which are mechanically coupled to one another by means of a web, in each case in intermediate spaces between two light bulkheads of the plurality of light bulkheads and to optically decouple spatially adjacent light guides from one another by means of the respective light bulkhead, wherein the plurality of light bulkheads are integrated components of the housing part.