Modular Optical Display Unit With Mechanical and Data Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display devices for external application units, such as hand-held power tools, lack a modular and efficient way to visually display information through both lighting and digital means, limiting their versatility and ease of assembly.

Innovation Solution

An optical display device unit with a mechanical interface for connection to external application units and a data interface for information transmission, featuring a lighting device with a light guide and LEDs, and an optical display capable of showing digital information, integrated with further electronics for parameter evaluation and communication, enabling modular design and flexible attachment to various tools.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If display devices are integrated into external application units, then visual information display capability is improved, but device complexity and assembly difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual information display capabilityVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display device is divided into separate functional modules: a first housing containing the illumination device and optical display, a second housing for the external application unit, and distinct mechanical and data interfaces. This modular segmentation allows independent assembly and reduces overall complexity while maintaining full visual information display capability through the coordinated operation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If display devices are integrated into external application units, then visual information display capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisual information display capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The first housing with illumination device and optical display is designed as a universal module that can be attached to various external application units through standardized mechanical interfaces. This multi-functionality allows the same display module to serve different applications, reducing per-unit manufacturing costs through economies of scale and standardized production processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If modular design is implemented, then ease of assembly and manufacturing cost are improved, but connection reliability and data transmission stability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanical interface and data interface are combined in a integrated connector assembly that simultaneously establishes both physical connection and electrical/data connections when the first housing is attached to the second housing. This merging ensures that connection reliability and data transmission stability are maintained while preserving the benefits of modular design and ease of assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables modular, cost-effective assembly and flexible attachment to different external application units, providing efficient visual information display through lighting and digital means, enhancing usability and versatility in work environments.

Implementation Method 1

the lighting device has at least one light source and at least one light guide. Light can be transported from a light source by means of light guides in a particularly advantageous manner

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transport: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3233386B1Optical display device unit for use in an external application unit
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP3233386B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3233386B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3233386B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical display device unit (10), in particular for use in an external application unit (12), comprising at least one first housing (14), which has at least one illumination device and/or at least one optical display device (16), wherein the one illumination device (15) and/or the optical display device (16) is/are provided to visually display information. It is proposed that the optical display device unit (10) has a mechanical interface (20) for connecting the first housing (14) with a second housing (22) and a data interface (24) which transfers optical information to the illumination device (15) and/or the optical display device (16).