Light Pipe Connection Bridge Optical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing light pipe connection bridges cause light leakage and interference between different light pipes, leading to increased product costs and complex production processes, as they are often molded together to reduce manufacturing costs but fail to effectively isolate light paths.
Innovation Solution
The connection bridges are redesigned with a specific polygonal shape, featuring larger and smaller bases connected by inclined surfaces, which reflect or redirect light back into the light pipes, minimizing light leakage and interference by molding the light pipes and bridges as a single component made of transparent plastic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rectangular bars are added as bridges to connect light pipes, then manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but light leakage and interference between different light pipes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connection bridge is divided into two separate constitution parts, each responsible for connecting to one light pipe. This segmentation allows each part to be independently designed with light-reflecting surfaces that prevent light leakage into adjacent light pipes, while still maintaining the overall function of connecting multiple light pipes together as a single molded component.
Solution Approach 2:
The inclined surfaces of the constitution parts are designed to reflect light that would otherwise leak into adjacent light pipes back into the original light pipe. By converting the potentially harmful light leakage into beneficial light reflection, the design maintains optical isolation between light pipes while keeping the manufacturing cost low through single-component molding.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If light pipes are isolated and mounted separately, then light leakage and interference are avoided, but product cost increases and production process becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light pipes and connection bridges are merged into a single molded component, simplifying the production process and reducing assembly steps. The connection bridges are integrated directly into the light pipe structure, eliminating the need for separate mounting operations while maintaining optical isolation through the specially designed constitution parts with light-reflecting surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection bridges serve multiple functions: they mechanically connect adjacent light pipes, provide structural support, and optically isolate light paths through their inclined surfaces. This multi-functionality allows a single component to replace what would otherwise require separate isolation structures, reducing overall device complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If connection bridges are molded together with light pipes as a single component, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but light leakage and interference between light pipes occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The constitution parts are designed with specific local qualities: inclined surfaces positioned at precise locations to reflect light back into the light pipe, and geometric configurations that create optical isolation zones. These localized design features ensure that light guidance accuracy is maintained at critical interfaces while keeping the overall structure as a simple single-component mold.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection bridges extend in the vertical dimension above and below the light pipes, creating physical separation and optical isolation in three-dimensional space. This dimensional approach allows light to be confined within each light pipe's vertical boundaries, preventing lateral leakage into adjacent light pipes while maintaining horizontal integration as a single molded component.
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
This design reduces light leakage and interference, enhancing the accuracy of light guidance and reducing manufacturing costs by ensuring that light remains within its intended path, thereby improving product reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
at least one surface, whose inner faces incident direction of light within its connecting light pipe, inclines towards the larger polygonal base
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Disclosed is a device for transporting light, comprising at least two light pipes and at least one connection part, the at least two light pipes and the at least one connection part are molded with same material as a single component, each connection part includes two constitution parts for connecting to two adjacent light pipes, each constitution part has a larger polygonal base, a smaller polygonal base and at least three surfaces connecting the larger polygonal base to the smaller polygonal base, two larger polygonal bases of the two constitution parts connect to the two adjacent light pipes and two smaller polygonal bases of the two constitution bases connect to each other, wherein for each constitution part, at least one surface, whose inner faces incident direction of light within its connecting light pipe, inclines towards the larger polygonal base.