Light Pipe Bezel Array Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Light pipes used to transmit LED indicators through electronic device panels often become misaligned, leading to improper positioning and difficulty in discerning the color and light emitted, due to their off-centered and angled placement.
Innovation Solution
A light pipe bezel array with interconnected bezels and adhesive plugs is used to align and secure light pipes through panel holes, providing a press fit engagement and adhesive attachment to ensure proper alignment and configuration for various numbers and configurations of light pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If light pipes are mounted through panel holes without alignment features, then installation is simpler, but misalignment occurs causing off-centered and angled placement
Solution Approach 1:
The bezel array is pre-aligned with the panel holes before installation, establishing precise alignment features in advance. The bezel's conduit positions are predetermined to match the panel hole locations, so when the bezel array is installed, the light pipes automatically align correctly without requiring complex alignment procedures during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The bezel array acts as an intermediary component between the panel and the light pipes. It provides a structured framework with pre-positioned conduits that guide and align the light pipes, eliminating the need for direct alignment between panel holes and light pipes.
2Ease of operation
If light pipes are allowed to move freely in panel holes, then installation is easier, but color and light emission becomes difficult to discern
Solution Approach 1:
The bezel array pre-establishes the correct positioning and orientation of light pipes before they are installed. By having the conduits precisely positioned in the bezel array beforehand, the light pipes are automatically positioned to optimize light emission clarity and color discernibility without requiring complex adjustment procedures.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple light pipes are mounted on a PCB, then more indicators are provided, but the number of LEDs is limited by PCB size
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the light pipe mounting from a two-dimensional PCB surface to a three-dimensional structure using the bezel array. Light pipes can be mounted at various angles and positions on the bezel array, which is attached to the panel, effectively utilizing vertical space and angular dimensions to increase the number of indicators without increasing PCB area.
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 light pipe bezel array facilitates easy installation and maintains proper alignment of light pipes, preventing misalignment and ensuring clear transmission of LED indicators, making it adaptable for different configurations and numbers of light pipes.
Implementation Method 1
Each plug includes a barrel section intended to form a press fit engagement within a bezel's conduit narrow region. In addition, each plug includes a flange which has a larger diameter than the plug's barrel section as the flange is intended to form a press fit engagement within a bezel's larger cavity region.
Implementation Method 2
Each plug includes an adhesive which adheres the bezel array to a panel's interior side.
Data Source
AI summary
A light pipe bezel array assembly is provided for improving the alignment of front or rear mounted light pipes as they pass through the holes of an electronic device's panel. The light pipe bezel array assembly includes a bezel array which includes a front side and a back side formed of interconnected bezels. Each bezel includes a conduit which includes a cavity region adjacent to the bezel's front side and a narrower region which is located closer to the bezel's back side. The cavity regions are sized to accept a flange of a rear mounted light pipe. Meanwhile, the conduits' narrow regions have a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the light pipes that are intended to be aligned. The light pipe bezel array assembly includes adhesive plugs located in bezel conduits for affixing the bezel array to an electronic device's panel.