Light Module Integrity Detection to Prevent Direct Light Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing light modules in mobile terminals face safety issues due to the potential direct emission of light rays if the light-transmitting element breaks, falls off, or shifts, leading to poor use safety.

Innovation Solution

A light module design that includes a support body with a light path channel, a substrate with a light source, and a light-transmitting element with first and second electrical contact points and a photosensitive coating. The photosensitive coating connects the contact points, and a detection module monitors the voltage across these points to control the light source, preventing direct emission if the light-transmitting element is damaged or misaligned.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the light-transmitting element is directly exposed to the outside, then the light module structure is simple, but the use safety deteriorates when the light-transmitting element breaks, falls off, or shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight module structureVSAvoiduse safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a detection module as an intermediary between the light source and the external environment. This module monitors the integrity of the light-transmitting element and controls the light source operation, acting as a mediator that prevents direct harmful exposure while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the detection module continuously monitors the voltage between contact points to determine the integrity of the light-transmitting element, and provides feedback signals to control the light source operation accordingly, creating a closed-loop safety system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If a detection module is added to monitor the light-transmitting element, then the use safety is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuse safetyVSAvoidlight module structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-transmitting element itself serves dual purposes: it performs its primary function of transmitting light while also serving as the detection target. The electrical contact points are integrated directly onto the light-transmitting element, allowing the element to participate in its own integrity monitoring without requiring separate sensing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions into the light-transmitting element: light transmission, electrical conduction for detection, and structural integrity indication. By merging the detection functionality into the existing light-transmitting element rather than adding completely separate components, the complexity increase is minimized.

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 solution effectively prevents direct emission of light rays from the light source, thereby enhancing the use safety of the light module by detecting abnormalities in the light-transmitting element and controlling the light emission accordingly.

Implementation Method 1

a photosensitive coating capable of converting light energy of the light source into electrical energy

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotosensitive coating conversion: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP3936755B1Light module and mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD
  • EP3936755B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3936755B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3936755B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed are a light module and a mobile terminal, the light module including: a support body, a substrate, and a light-transmitting element. The support body has a light path channel. The substrate is connected to the support body and is located at one end of the light path channel, the substrate is provided with a light source which is located in the light path channel. The light-transmitting element is connected to the support body, to seal an opening at the other end of the light path channel. A side face of the light-transmitting element that faces the light source is provided with a first electrical contact point, a second electrical contact point, and a photosensitive coating capable of converting light energy of the light source into electrical energy, the first and second electrical contact points are electrically connected by the photosensitive coating, and are configured to connect to a detection module, so that the detection module detects a voltage across the first and second electrical contact points.