Light Source Window Paint for Smartphone Housing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Small form factor electronic devices with light-emitting capabilities, such as smartphones, face issues with light leakage through their translucent housings, leading to undesirable illumination patterns on the exterior surfaces, which compromises both functionality and aesthetics.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a transparent member with a light block coating in the device's housing aperture to reflect light emitted from the light source, preventing it from escaping and maintaining a collimated illumination pattern for improved image capture while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a translucent housing material is used to allow light emission, then the device can function as a light source for image capture, but light propagates along the housing surface creating undesirable illumination patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The housing aperture is segmented into multiple functional zones: a central transparent member area for light emission and an outer light block area for preventing light propagation along the surface. This segmentation allows the same housing structure to simultaneously enable light transmission while blocking light leakage paths.
Solution Approach 2:
A light block coating or insert is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the housing exterior. This intermediary component intercepts light rays that would otherwise propagate along the housing surface, reflecting or absorbing them to prevent unwanted illumination patterns while allowing the transparent member to maintain its light transmission function.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a light block is added to prevent light leakage, then illumination patterns are improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light blocking function is merged with the housing aperture structure itself rather than being a separate component. The light block is integrated into the aperture opening, combining the light transmission and light blocking functions in a single unified structure, thereby preventing light leakage without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the housing aperture are assigned different optical properties: the central region contains a transparent member for light emission, while the outer region contains a light block for preventing light propagation. This local differentiation of material properties allows precise control over light behavior without requiring complex overall structural changes.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the transparent member allows light to pass through, then light availability for image capture is maximized, but light may still escape through the housing aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The aperture is segmented into a central transparent region for light transmission and an outer light block region for preventing light escape. This segmentation ensures that light can pass through the transparent member to reach the image capture component while the light block prevents the same light from escaping through the housing aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The light block serves as an intermediary barrier positioned between the transparent member and the housing exterior. It intercepts light rays that emerge from the transparent member and would otherwise escape through the housing, reflecting or absorbing them to prevent energy loss while maintaining the light transmission function of the transparent member.
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
Effectively prevents light leakage, maximizing the amount of light available for image capture while ensuring the device's exterior remains unilluminated, thus enhancing both performance and appearance.
Implementation Method 1
The electronic device may be configured such that the first light ray received by the outer perimeter of the transparent member is reflected by the light block to the light emission end
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device has a camera assembly disposed in a housing of the electronic device that includes a light source assembly having a primary purpose for illuminating a subject during an imaging operation. The light source assembly includes a light source and a light window. A light block can be applied to lateral surfaces of the light window to prevent light passing through the light window from propagating along an outer surface of the housing, or other components of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the light block can include multiple layers having various reflective and absorptive characteristics.