M Channel Light Guide Spacer for Uniform Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ensuring uniform light emission while maintaining sufficient spacing between a diffuser and a light emitting surface of a light guide, while also protecting the light emitting surface from damage and cleaning materials.

Innovation Solution

A light guide spacer comprising an ‘M’ channel that spans the total length of the light guide and diffuser, providing spacing, mounting, and protection, as well as an ‘H’ channel for maintaining consistent illumination when combining multiple light guides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If sufficient spacing is maintained between diffuser and light guide, then uniform light emission is achieved, but light emitting surface is exposed to damage and cleaning materials

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform light emissionVSAvoidexposure to cleaning materials and damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A channel spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the diffuser and light guide. This spacer maintains the necessary spacing for uniform light emission while simultaneously protecting the light emitting surface from cleaning materials and physical damage. The channel structure provides both the optical spacing and the protective barrier function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If channel spacer is used to maintain spacing and protection, then light emitting surface is protected, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against ingress and damageVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The channel spacer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: maintaining optical spacing, protecting the light guide, providing mounting attachment points, and preventing ingress of cleaning materials. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the overall device complexity is reduced compared to using separate elements for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If existing hard mounted solutions are used, then mounting is secure, but flexibility of diffuser and light guide positioning is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidpositioning flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The channel spacer incorporates attachment features that allow for adjustable positioning of the diffuser and light guide components. Rather than fixed hard mounting, the channel structure enables dynamic adjustment of component positions while maintaining secure attachment, providing both stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12222539B1Channel spacer for a light guide

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 LUMITEX INC

AI summary

A light guide spacer is provided for maintaining sufficient spacing between a diffuser and a light emitting surface of a light guide. The light guide spacer maintaining spacing between the diffuser and the light guide has the exemplary benefit of providing more uniform light emission from the light emitting surface and protecting the light emitting surface (e.g., from physical damage, cleaning solutions, etc.). The light guide spacer may span the length of the light guide and diffuser, maintaining spacing along a length of the light guide, providing mounting of the diffuser and light guide, and maintaining a position of the diffuser, such that it protects the light emitting surface of the light guide.