Unitary Light Pipe Bracket With Narrow Bridging Regions
Solution Overview
Problem
Unitary light pipe structures in electronic devices suffer from light leakage, leading to energy waste and aesthetically unpleasant non-uniform illumination, as light from one light emitting element can propagate and bleed into unintended light pipes, causing false information to users.
Innovation Solution
A single molded part unitary light pipe structure with a plurality of light pipes and a bracket having narrow bridging regions between broad support regions, where the narrow bridging regions have concave top and bottom surfaces to minimize light leakage by directing incident light to exit directly, reducing reflections and scattering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a unitary light pipe structure with multiple light pipes is used, then the number of parts is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but light leakage occurs between adjacent light pipes causing non-uniform illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into broad support regions and narrow bridging regions, creating distinct zones that serve different functions. The narrow bridging regions act as light-blocking barriers between light pipes, while the broad support regions provide structural support. This segmentation prevents light leakage while maintaining the unitary structure's manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the bracket are given different properties: the narrow bridging regions have light-blocking characteristics to prevent leakage, while the broad support regions have structural support characteristics. This local differentiation of properties allows the single molded part to simultaneously achieve light isolation and structural integrity.
2Volume of moving object
If a unitary light pipe structure is used, then compactness is promoted, but light from one light emitting element propagates to unintended light pipes causing energy waste
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is divided into narrow bridging regions that segment the light paths between adjacent light pipes. These narrow regions block stray light from propagating between light pipes, preventing energy waste while maintaining the compact unitary structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The narrow bridging regions convert the potential harmful effect of light leakage into a beneficial light-blocking barrier. By strategically positioning these narrow regions, the design uses the bracket structure itself to prevent energy loss without adding separate light-blocking components.
3Ease of manufacture
If a unitary light pipe structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but light leakage causes false information to be displayed to users
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is segmented into narrow bridging regions that act as optical barriers between light pipes. This segmentation prevents light from one light emitting element from leaking into adjacent light pipes, ensuring that each light pipe accurately represents its intended signal state without false illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket incorporates local quality variations with narrow bridging regions positioned specifically between light pipes to block light leakage. This localized light-blocking property maintains signal accuracy while preserving the overall simplicity of the unitary molded structure.
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 design effectively prevents light from one light emitting element from propagating to other light pipes, resulting in uniform illumination and accurate signal indications, reducing energy waste and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of electronic device interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
narrow bridging regions have concave top and bottom surfaces to minimize light leakage by directing incident light to exit directly, reducing reflections and scattering
Implementation Method 2
narrow bridging regions have concave top and bottom surfaces to minimize light leakage by directing incident light to exit directly, reducing reflections and scattering
Data Source
AI summary
The present principles are an illumination system for the front of an electronic device such as a set top box. The device includes a casing having a front wall; apertures on the front wall; a backlight assembly in back of the front wall within the casing; and a light pipe structure to receive light from backlight assembly. The light pipe structure includes plurality of light pipes in which the light pipes have a lower vertical body portion, an upper horizontal body portion, and a central body portion between the lower vertical body portion and the upper horizontal body portion; and a bracket that connects and supports the light pipes in which the bracket is generally planar. The bracket has broad support regions that connect to a back portion of each of the light pipes and a narrow bridging region between broad support regions in which the support regions are broader than the narrow bridging region in the vertical dimension.