Light Guide Segmentation for Discrete Uniform Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user interfaces for litter devices face challenges in providing both continuous and discrete lighting without overlap, while also avoiding the use of graphic displays and addressing issues of hot and cold spots, which are typically resolved with diffusers that blend light from different LEDs.
Innovation Solution
A user interface design incorporating light guides with angled guide walls and a diffuser positioned to create gaps, allowing for discrete light sections by deflecting and diffusing light to prevent overlap, while maintaining a uniform light spread.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a diffuser is used to create uniform light spread, then hot spots and cold spots are eliminated, but light from different diodes overlaps and blends, preventing discrete lighting sections
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented into multiple discrete light pockets, each housing a light emitting device. The guide walls between pockets create physical separation that prevents light overlap, allowing individual diodes to be controlled independently while still achieving uniform distribution through the diffuser.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide have different functions: light pockets provide uniform diffusion, while guide walls provide directional control and separation. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of uniform light spread and discrete lighting sections.
2Ease of operation
If light emitting diodes are used to provide individual lighting control, then discrete lighting sections are achieved, but hot spots and cold spots occur, creating non-uniform light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuser is introduced as an intermediary component between the light emitting diodes and the external environment. This diffuser evenly distributes light from individual diodes across the light guide, eliminating hot spots and cold spots while preserving the ability to control discrete lighting sections through the light pocket structure.
3Loss of information
If graphic displays are used to communicate status to users, then information delivery is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase, along with warranty issues
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex graphic displays, the patent uses simplified light patterns, colors, and sequences that copy or represent status information in a more reliable and cost-effective manner. The light emitting diodes convey device status through intuitive visual cues without requiring complex display hardware.
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 effectively creates discrete light sections without overlap while achieving a uniform light distribution, enhancing aesthetic appeal and functionality by minimizing hot and cold spots, allowing for individual control of light emitting devices.
Implementation Method 1
Light is deflected by one or more guide walls to aid in spreading of the emitted light. The guide walls also aide in creating discrete light sections. The angle of the guide walls provides for the light to be deflected and/or reflected from one light pocket
Implementation Method 2
A diffuser is usually beneficial in creating a more uniform light spread, eliminating hot spots, creating less diode reflection on surfaces, all while providing an aesthetically pleasing surface. the one or more diffusers distanced from the one or more guide walls such as to create a gap
Data Source
AI summary
A user interface including: a) one or more light guides, each light guide including: i) a rear wall; ii) an outer wall projecting from the rear wall; iii) one or more guide walls having opposing guide surfaces angled away from the rear wall; iv) a plurality of light pockets, each light pocket defined by the space between one or more guide walls, the outer wall, or any combination thereof; b) a plurality of light emitting devices, one or more light emitting devices residing within and/or aligned with the plurality of light pockets; and c) one or more diffusers located opposite the rear wall, the one or more diffusers distanced from the one or more guide walls such as to create a gap.