Motorcycle Switch Unit Light Shielding Film Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional switch units for motorcycles face challenges in emitting sufficient light from marks due to limited translucency and restricted LED positioning, leading to reduced light emission and design freedom.
Innovation Solution
A switch unit design featuring a transmissive portion with a light shielding portion on its outer surface, allowing sufficient light entry and emission from marks, while providing flexibility in LED placement and reducing the impact of the switch's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If only the mark region is formed of translucent material, then the mark can be illuminated, but the amount of light emitted from the mark is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The switch case is divided into two distinct regions: a transmissive portion that allows light passage and a light shielding portion that blocks light. This segmentation enables the light to be directed specifically toward the mark region while maintaining structural integrity and design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the switch case are assigned different optical properties: the transmissive portion has high light transmission to enable illumination, while the light shielding portion has low light transmission to control light direction. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes light emission from the mark region.
2Illumination intensity
If the LED is disposed behind the operation button to illuminate the mark, then the mark can be lit, but the switch becomes an obstacle limiting LED positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding portion extends toward the mark region from the transmissive portion, creating a three-dimensional light control structure. This dimensional extension allows the LED to be positioned in the switch case without being blocked by the switch, as the light shielding portion guides the light around the switch obstacle to reach the mark.
3Illumination intensity
If a colored material is used as translucent material for the mark region, then light scattering occurs, but the amount of light reaching the outer surface is greatly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light shielding function is extracted from the translucent material and implemented as a separate light shielding portion. This allows the transmissive portion to be made of highly transparent material without light scattering, while the light shielding portion separately controls light direction, preventing light loss.
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 design enhances light emission from marks and increases design freedom by allowing sufficient light entry and emission, even when the LED is not positioned closely to the marks, and facilitates easier mounting and reduced water exposure.
Implementation Method 1
a transmissive portion (68) which allows light to pass through
Implementation Method 2
a first light shielding portion (70a) which is provided in an outer surface (68a) of the transmissive portion (68) and reduces translucency
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A switch unit (44) for a motorcycle, including a LED (60); a plurality of switches; and a switch case (58). The switch case (58) includes a first case portion (64), which has a transmissive portion (68) that allows light from the LED (60) to pass through; and a light shielding film (70a) that reduces translucency and is provided in an outer surface of the transmissive portion (68). The first case portion (64) is provided with a plurality of operation members (98, 100 and 102). A plurality of marks (76d, 76e, 76f, and 76h) are made correspondingly to the operation member (98, 100 and 102), and are provided by predetermined regions in an outer surface of the transmissive portion (68) which are not provided with the light shielding film (70a).