Light Guide Plate Prism Pattern Switching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide plates are inflexible in terms of pattern switching, as they require light sources to be arranged along both ends, which is not always feasible in display devices like game machines.
Innovation Solution
A light guide plate with a panel transparent to visible light, featuring prisms arranged in specific patterns to reflect light from either end, allowing for pattern switching by activating specific light sources, even when sources are only aligned along one end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are arranged along both ends of the light guide plate to enable pattern switching, then pattern switching capability is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate is segmented into multiple functional zones with different prism arrangements. First prisms are arranged in a first pattern to reflect light from the first light source, while second prisms are arranged in a second pattern to reflect light from the second light source. This segmentation allows each zone to independently control light reflection for pattern switching without requiring complex overall restructuring.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide plate have different optical properties through the arrangement of first and second prisms in different patterns. The first prisms have reflection surfaces facing the first light source, while second prisms have reflection surfaces facing the second light source. This local differentiation enables pattern switching while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure with light sources arranged along only one end.
2Ease of manufacture
If light sources are arranged along only one end of the light guide plate to simplify installation, then ease of installation is improved, but pattern switching capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The solution transitions from a one-dimensional arrangement (light sources at both ends along the length) to utilizing the two-dimensional surface area of the light guide plate. Multiple light sources are arranged along one end, and prisms are distributed across the plate surface in different patterns, enabling pattern switching through spatial distribution rather than endpoint arrangement.
3Illumination intensity
If prisms are arranged with increasing density away from the light source to improve pattern visibility, then illumination uniformity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The density of prisms is varied as a parameter across different regions of the light guide plate. First prisms are arranged with increasing density as distance from the first light source increases, while second prisms are arranged with increasing density as distance from the second light source increases. This parameter change compensates for light intensity decay and improves pattern visibility while maintaining manufacturability through systematic arrangement patterns.
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
Enables flexible pattern switching and improved visibility of patterns by directing light from corresponding sources, enhancing the display device's functionality and user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of first prisms arranged along one surface of the light guide plate and distributed in a first pattern to reflect the visible light emitted from a first light source and entering the light guide from an input surface toward another surface of the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide plate according to one or more embodiment is formed of a panel transparent to visible light, and includes: a plurality of first prisms arranged along one surface of the light guide plate and distributed in a first pattern to reflect the visible light emitted from a first light source and entering the light guide from an input surface toward another surface of the light guide plate; and a plurality of second prisms arranged in a second pattern to reflect the visible light emitted from a second light source and entering the light guide from the input surface toward said other surface of the light guide plate. Each first prism includes a reflection surface directly facing the first light source, and each second prism includes a reflection surface directly facing the second light source.