Lighted Push Button Rib Guide for Uniform Perimeter Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighted pushbuttons often experience inconsistent lighting due to guide surfaces and components, which can disrupt the desired illumination around the perimeter.
Innovation Solution
A lighted pushbutton assembly featuring a carrier with a rib guide and a pushbutton with matching ribs, combined with a light guide made from translucent material, ensures consistent lighting around the pushbutton perimeter while guiding its reciprocating movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If guide surfaces and components are used to guide pushbutton movement, then the pushbutton movement is guided, but the lighting consistency around the pushbutton perimeter deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The guide function is segmented from the light guide component. The rib guide structure is separated into distinct guide surfaces that do not interfere with the light guide's optical function, allowing independent optimization of both guidance and lighting consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
A rib guide structure acts as an intermediary element that provides movement guidance without disrupting the light path. The guide ribs are positioned and designed to minimize shadowing and light interference while maintaining effective mechanical guidance.
2Illumination intensity
If a light guide is used to illuminate the pushbutton perimeter, then lighting is provided, but guide surfaces may disrupt the illumination consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed with varying local properties - different sections have optimized optical characteristics. The guide surfaces are strategically positioned to minimize their impact on light distribution, creating zones of optimized guidance and zones of optimized lighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves the guidance function to a different spatial dimension. The rib guides are positioned at the periphery while the light guide occupies the central area, allowing both functions to operate independently without mutual interference.
3Ease of operation
If guide surfaces are positioned to guide pushbutton movement, then movement control is achieved, but they create shadows or disruptions in the light path
Solution Approach 1:
The rib guide structure uses asymmetric positioning and sizing. The guides are placed where they provide maximum mechanical control with minimum optical interference. The asymmetric design allows the light to flow around the guide structures rather than being blocked by symmetric, centrally-positioned guides.
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 provides uniform illumination around the pushbutton perimeter and prevents twisting or binding during operation, enhancing the user experience and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
A light guide is positioned within the outer portion and is formed from a substantially translucent material. The light guide defines a top surface that includes a substantially continuous perimeter and a plurality of gaps. The pushbutton and carrier are disposed above the light source such that light enters the light guide at the bottom surface and is emitted through the top surface and around the entire pushbutton perimeter.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighted pushbutton assembly includes a carrier including an outer wall that defines an inner space and is continuous along a top surface of the carrier. A rib guide is formed as part of the outer wall and defines an opening extending through a bottom surface of the outer wall and including a first portion extending in a first direction and a second portion extending in a second direction that is non-parallel to the first direction. A pushbutton is shaped to fit substantially within the inner space and a rib is formed as part of the pushbutton and includes a first guide that extends in the first direction and the second guide that extends in the second direction. The first guide is engaged with the first portion and the second guide is engaged with the second portion to guide reciprocating movement of the pushbutton with respect to the carrier.