Light Guide Member for Dual-Surface Illumination Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing operating devices face challenges in achieving high brightness in both light-emitting areas, particularly when the distance from the light guide member to the upper surface light-emitting area is large, leading to difficulties in effective light transmission and recognition by the information processing apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The operating device incorporates a light guide member with a curved base portion and guide sections that direct light from an LED to a first and second light-transmitting panel, allowing for efficient horizontal light distribution and increased brightness across both light-emitting areas, with the second guide section extending upward to reduce distance and enhance brightness of the upper surface light-emitting area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the distance from the light guide member to the upper surface light-emitting area is large, then the structural design is simplified, but the brightness of the upper surface light-emitting area decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member extends in the vertical dimension (upward direction) to reach the upper surface light-emitting area, transforming a potentially large horizontal distance into a controlled vertical extension. This dimensional change allows the light guide to deliver light effectively to the upper surface area while maintaining a compact overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member acts as an intermediary component that bridges the light source (LED) and the upper surface light-emitting area. It efficiently transmits light over the required distance while maintaining high brightness, solving the contradiction between distance and illumination intensity.
2Illumination intensity
If the light guide member extends upward to reduce distance, then the brightness of the upper surface light-emitting area increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is divided into distinct functional sections: a base portion that receives light from the LED, guide sections that direct light horizontally and upward, and an upward extension that delivers light to the upper surface. This segmentation allows each section to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member incorporates curved surfaces and angled facets to efficiently redirect light from the horizontal plane to the vertical upward direction. These geometric features enable effective light guidance without requiring complex mechanical structures or additional components.
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
This configuration ensures high brightness and uniform light emission across both light-emitting areas, improving recognition accuracy and user visibility, while minimizing external light leakage and parts count.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member with a curved base portion and guide sections that direct light from an LED to a first and second light-transmitting panel
Data Source
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AI summary
An operating device includes a first light-emitting area provided on a front surface of the operating device, a first light-transmitting member that is formed with a material that transmits light and that makes up the first light-emitting area, a second light-emitting area provided on an upper surface of the operating device, a second light-transmitting member that is formed with a material that transmits light and that makes up the second light-emitting area, a light source, and a light guide member adapted to guide light of the light source to the first light-transmitting member and the second light-transmitting member. The light guide member includes a first guide section arranged behind the first light-transmitting member to guide light to the first light-transmitting member, and a second guide section that extends upward beyond a position of the first light-transmitting member toward the second light-transmitting member.