Light-Guiding Component With Reflection Notch for Lateral Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Light-guiding components in fieldbus modules have poor lateral visibility, especially in bright environments, due to their design where light propagates only parallel to the longitudinal extent, making it difficult to see the light from the side, and previous attempts to improve this by roughening the exit surface were not satisfactory.
Innovation Solution
A light-conducting component with a main body and an exit element featuring at least one reflection element that scatters light isotropically over an angular range of -90° to +90°, allowing better lateral visibility by reflecting and scattering light, which is achieved through a notch in the side wall of the main body acting as a wedge-shaped reflection element, and multiple exit surfaces for enhanced viewing angles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If light propagates parallel to the longitudinal extent of the light-guiding component, then the light transmission is efficient and simple, but the lateral visibility is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The exit surface is divided into multiple regions with different light coupling characteristics. The first exit surface region couples light primarily in the perpendicular direction, while the second exit surface region couples light at oblique angles, creating segmented light emission patterns that improve lateral visibility without complicating the overall light guide structure
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the exit surface are assigned different optical properties. The first region is optimized for perpendicular light coupling while the second region is optimized for oblique angle light coupling, allowing each region to perform its specific function and achieving both efficient light transmission and improved lateral visibility
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the exit surface is roughened to improve lateral visibility, then some scattering effect is achieved, but the visibility problem is not satisfactorily solved
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly roughening the entire exit surface, the invention segments the exit surface into two distinct regions with different optical functions. This provides precise control over light scattering angles without relying on roughening, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision while achieving satisfactory lateral visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters of different exit surface regions by designing them with different refractive indices or geometric configurations. This allows precise control over light coupling angles through parameter optimization rather than surface roughening, maintaining both visibility and manufacturing precision
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a reflection element is added to scatter light isotropically, then lateral visibility is significantly improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflection element is merged with the light-guiding component to form an integrated structure. The reflection element becomes an inherent part of the light guide body, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing overall device complexity while still achieving the desired light scattering effect for improved lateral visibility
Solution Approach 2:
The light-guiding component is designed to perform multiple functions: it guides light transmission, creates segmented light emission patterns at the exit surface, and incorporates reflection elements for light scattering. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single integrated structure, avoiding the need for additional separate components and maintaining simplicity
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 provides good lateral and frontal visibility of the light, ensuring the light signal can be recognized from any angle, particularly in side views, with intensity fluctuations minimized, and is manufactured using transparent plastics for cost-effectiveness and a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
at least one reflection element being arranged in front of the exit element in the direction of light propagation, on which at least part of the light can be reflected
Implementation Method 2
The associated scattering of the light results in better lateral visibility, since the light beams at the exit element are not only coupled out perpendicularly to the exit surface
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A light-guiding component (10) for use in a fieldbus module (22) is described, wherein the light-guiding component (10) has a main body (12) through which light can propagate along a defined direction of light propagation, and an exit element (14) at one end (13b) of the main body (12). Light can couple out of the light-guiding component (10) at the exit element (14), wherein at least one reflection element (20) is arranged in the direction of light propagation upstream of the exit element (14), at which at least a portion of the light can be reflected. Furthermore, a fieldbus module (22) with a light-guiding component (10) is described.