Light Guide Module Protrusion Alignment for Pattern Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light guiding modules face challenges in miniaturization, increased manufacturing costs, and assembly accuracy due to difficulties in forming patterns on light guiding columns and frequent misalignments during assembly, leading to suboptimal pattern displaying effects.

Innovation Solution

The light guiding module incorporates fixing structures on both the light guiding assembly and plate, allowing for easy and firm combination, reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying assembly while ensuring alignment accuracy, and features structural designs that minimize faint or uneven light patterns through specific connection and protrusion arrangements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If patterns are individually formed on the light outlet end portions of the light guiding columns, then the pattern displaying function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost is increased and the manufacturing precision is difficult to maintain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidpattern forming precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light guiding module is divided into separate components: light guiding columns without patterns and a decorative plate with patterns. This segmentation allows the pattern forming process to be concentrated on the decorative plate rather than on each small light guiding column, making pattern formation easier and more precise while reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The decorative plate serves as an intermediary component that carries the patterns and connects to the light guiding columns. Instead of forming patterns directly on the light guiding columns, the patterns are formed on the decorative plate which then mediates the light display function, solving the manufacturing difficulty and precision issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the light guiding columns and decorative plate are assembled separately, then the assembly flexibility is maintained, but misalignments frequently occur during assembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly flexibilityVSAvoidalignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

Positioning protrusions and positioning recesses with asymmetric geometries are provided on the light guiding columns and decorative plate respectively. These asymmetric features ensure that the decorative plate can only be assembled in the correct orientation and position relative to the light guiding columns, preventing misalignment while maintaining assembly flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning protrusions and positioning recesses act as intermediary alignment features that guide the relative positioning between the decorative plate and light guiding columns during assembly. These features mediate the assembly process to ensure accurate alignment without requiring high-precision manual positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of moving object

If the overall size of the light guiding module is reduced through miniaturization, then the component density is increased, but the difficulty of forming precise patterns on light guiding columns increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall sizeVSAvoidpattern forming precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the pattern display function from the light guiding columns to the decorative plate, the patent enables miniaturization of the overall module while avoiding the need to form precise patterns on small light guiding columns. The patterns are formed on the larger decorative plate where precision is easier to achieve, even in miniaturized designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the pattern formation from the vertical dimension (on the small light guiding columns) to the horizontal dimension (on the decorative plate). This dimensional shift allows patterns to be formed more easily even when the overall module size is reduced, as the decorative plate provides a larger surface area relative to the light guiding columns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10890715B1Light guide module with a plurality of light guide columns and a plate with protrusions connected to the light outlet end of each column

Publication Date: 2021.01.12 DELTA ELECTRONICS INC(CN)

AI summary

A light guiding module includes a light guiding assembly and a plate. The light guiding assembly comprises a base, plural light guiding columns and plural first connection portions. The light guiding column comprises a light inlet end and a light outlet end. The first connection portions are connected between the light guiding columns. The plate comprises a first surface and plural extending portions. The first surface is abutted against the light outlet ends. The extending portions are extended from the first surface. The extending portion includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The second protrusions are disposed between the first protrusions and the first surface. A part of the first protrusions and the second protrusions of the extending portions are extended along a first direction, and a rest are extended along a second direction. The first connection portions are disposed between the first protrusions and the second protrusions.