Light Guide Assembly with Shielding for Sharp Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic devices with indicator lights integrated into the casing face challenges in clearly displaying these lights due to high design complexity, leading to a need for improved light guide assemblies and electronic devices that can effectively showcase indicator lights through illumination.

Innovation Solution

A light guide assembly comprising a housing element, at least one light guide element, and at least one light-shielding element, where the light guide element allows light to pass through with a light entrance surface, exit surfaces, and wall surfaces, and the light-shielding element surrounds the wall surface and is in contact with the inner surface of the housing element, enabling sharp illumination effects without the need for additional coating processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If indicator lights are integrated into the electronic device casing for simplicity design, then the appearance design is simplified, but the illumination clarity and visibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveappearance design simplicityVSAvoidindicator light visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide element is divided into multiple functional surfaces: light entrance surface, light exit surface, and wall surfaces. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function, enabling clear illumination while maintaining the integrated casing design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide element acts as an intermediary between the light source and the casing outer surface. It transforms and directs light through its structured surfaces, achieving clear indicator light display without compromising the simplified appearance design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If coating processes are used to achieve sharp illumination effects, then the illumination quality is improved, but the manufacturing cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination sharpnessVSAvoidcoating process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces chemical coating processes with a structurally designed light guide element. The sharp illumination effects are achieved through the geometric configuration of light exit surfaces and wall surfaces rather than through coating materials, eliminating the need for additional coating processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide element uses controlled light transmission parameters through its structured surfaces. By adjusting the geometry and configuration of light exit surfaces and wall surfaces, sharp illumination patterns are achieved without changing material properties through coating.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If complex light guide structures are used to improve indicator light display, then the illumination quality is improved, but the design complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindicator light clarityVSAvoidlight guide structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide element merges multiple functions into a single component: light transmission, light direction, and illumination pattern formation. By combining these functions in one integrated element with strategically designed surfaces, the patent achieves clear indicator light display without proportionally increasing overall design complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 proposed solution effectively achieves sharp and clear illumination patterns on the electronic device's casing, enhancing visibility of indicator lights while eliminating the need for costly coating processes, thus balancing appearance, cost, and environmental considerations.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one light guide element is configured for a light to pass therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

The at least one light-shielding element surrounds the at least one wall surface and is in contact with the inner surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250076561A1Light guide assembly and electronic device

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 WISTRON NEWEB CORP

AI summary

A light guide assembly includes a housing element, at least one light guide element, and at least one light-shielding element. The housing element includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The light guide element is configured for a light to pass therethrough. The light guide element includes a light entrance surface, at least one light exit surface, and at least one wall surface. The wall surface surrounds and is connected to an edge of the light exit surface and extends toward the light entrance surface. The light exit surface is in contact with the inner surface. The at least one light-shielding element surrounds the at least one wall surface and is in contact with the inner surface.