Light Guide Reflecting Element Density for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light guides using LEDs for image reading apparatuses face challenges in achieving proper light quantity distribution due to the nature of reflecting light emitted from point sources, leading to inconsistent illumination.
Innovation Solution
A light guide design with a rod portion and reflecting elements arranged to avoid the strongly illuminated area near the point light source, ensuring that light is distributed linearly by positioning reflecting elements away from the strongly illuminated zones, preventing improper light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a conventional light guide with prisms is used to convert point light from LED to linear light, then linear light can be achieved, but proper light quantity distribution cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The reflecting elements are arranged with different densities at different positions along the rod portion. Specifically, the reflecting elements are sparsely arranged in the first region (closer to point light source) and densely arranged in the second region (farther from point light source), creating local variations in light reflection to achieve uniform overall illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the spatial distribution parameter of the reflecting elements along the rod portion. By varying the position, spacing, and density of reflecting elements at different locations, the light reflection characteristics are adjusted to compensate for the non-uniform light emission from the point light source, transforming the light distribution parameter from non-uniform to uniform.
2Power
If reflecting elements are provided uniformly across the rod portion, then light reflection is maximized, but light distribution becomes non-uniform due to strong illumination near the point light source
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniform arrangement, the reflecting elements are arranged with varying local densities. The first region has sparse arrangement to avoid excessive reflection from strongly illuminated areas, while the second region has dense arrangement to enhance reflection from weaker illumination areas, achieving both efficient overall reflection and uniform distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
This principle is not directly applicable here as the solution involves static geometric arrangement rather than dynamic vibration or oscillation mechanisms.
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 achieves proper light distribution by minimizing the reflection of light in strongly illuminated areas, ensuring consistent illumination across the document, thereby enhancing the image reading process.
Implementation Method 1
a rod portion extending in a first direction and having a reflecting surface on which a plurality of reflecting elements are provided to reflect the light entering from the point light source
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide configured to cause light entering from a point light source to exit as linear light. The light guide has a rod portion extending in a first direction and having a reflecting surface. A plurality of reflecting elements are provided on the reflecting surface to reflect the light entering from the point light source. A part of the reflecting elements located closer to the point light source than a center of the rod with respect to the first direction is arranged so as to sheer away from a strongly illuminated area of the reflecting surface, which is an area illuminated strongly with light entering the rod portion, in a second direction parallel to the reflecting surface and perpendicular to the first direction.