Meter Illuminating Structure with Lateral Light Separating Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
In meter apparatuses, it is costly and impractical to install separate light sources below the text panel to illuminate it uniformly, as the optical axis of the existing light source is centered on the indicator shaft, making it impossible to install additional light sources effectively.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a lateral light separating unit at the front end of the rotary shaft, which partially separates the light from the light source to illuminate both the indicator and the text panel simultaneously, using a single light source, and is configured with a reflective surface to ensure uniform brightness distribution and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light source is used to illuminate both the indicator and text panel, then costs are reduced and device complexity is simplified, but uniform illumination of the text panel becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The single light source is functionally segmented into two illumination paths: one path directs light to the indicator through the rotary shaft, and another path directs light to the text panel through the lateral light separating unit. This segmentation allows one light source to perform multiple illumination functions that would traditionally require separate light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral light separating unit acts as an intermediary component that receives light from the single light source and redirects a portion of it to illuminate the text panel. This mediator enables the single light source to effectively serve dual purposes without requiring additional dedicated light sources for the text panel.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the light source is positioned on the optical axis of the indicator shaft, then efficient light transfer to the indicator is achieved, but it becomes physically impossible to install additional light sources below the text panel center
Solution Approach 1:
The single light source positioned on the optical axis is designed to serve multiple functions: it simultaneously illuminates the indicator through the rotary shaft and illuminates the text panel through the lateral light separating unit. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for additional light sources while maintaining efficient light transfer to the indicator.
Solution Approach 2:
The lateral light separating unit introduces a new spatial dimension for light distribution by redirecting light laterally to the text panel area. This dimensional approach allows the single light source to reach both the indicator (axial direction) and text panel (lateral direction) without requiring multiple light sources positioned at different locations.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple dedicated light sources are installed below the text panel to achieve uniform illumination, then text panel illumination is improved, but costs increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the illumination functions for the indicator and text panel into a single integrated light source system. The lateral light separating unit combines the light paths, allowing one light source to perform what would traditionally require multiple separate light sources, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining illumination quality.
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 solution allows for simultaneous illumination of the indicator and text panel using one light source, reducing costs and preventing eye-straining highlights or blinking, while maintaining efficient light distribution even when the rotary shaft is rotating.
Implementation Method 1
a lateral light separating unit 10 formed at the upper end surface of the front end portion of the rotary shaft 5... a reflective surface 11 configured with a substantially polygonal pyramid-shaped hole
Data Source
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AI summary
To provide an illuminating structure of a meter apparatus which may illuminate an indicator and a text panel simultaneously by using one light source. An illuminating structure of a meter apparatus illuminates an indicator 7 and a text panel 9 while the indicator 7 rotates to indicate various kinds of information, wherein the rotary shaft 5 has lateral light separating unit 10, formed with a dented portion toward a light source 3, at the front end surface of the front end portion thereof, and the lateral light separating unit 10 partially separates the illuminating light incident to the indicator 7 toward the text panel 9.