Multi-Region Light Guide Structure for Independent Backlight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display backlights in dishwashers require multiple light guide plates for independent function control, increasing assembly complexity and cost due to their division into regions.
Innovation Solution
A light guide structure with at least two backlight regions, each surrounded by light-shield components and paired with light concentrators, allowing for a single processing of the light guide assembly, reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing costs while enhancing brightness and reducing light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light guide plates are used for independent function control in different backlight regions, then each region can be controlled independently, but assembly complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate light guide plates into a single integrated light guide plate with multiple independently controllable backlight regions. Each region is defined by light-shield components that can be independently controlled, allowing separate function control without requiring separate light guide plates for each region. This merging approach reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the adaptability of independent region control.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously - it provides backlighting for multiple different display regions, each with independent control capabilities. The single light guide plate structure acts as a universal component that replaces multiple specialized light guide plates, enabling one component to perform the work of several while reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light guide plates are used for independent function control, then each region can be controlled independently, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple light guide plates into one integrated structure, the patent reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured, stocked, and assembled. This single light guide plate with multiple controlled regions requires fewer manufacturing processes and quality checks compared to producing multiple separate plates, thereby reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining independent control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The universal light guide plate design allows a single component to replace multiple specialized components, reducing inventory requirements and manufacturing overhead. The multi-functional plate can be produced through a single manufacturing process rather than requiring separate production lines for each light guide plate, thus lowering manufacturing costs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If light-shield components surround backlight regions, then light leakage is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shield components are segmented into multiple independent elements that correspond to different backlight regions. Each light-shield component can be independently positioned and controlled, allowing precise light leakage prevention at each region boundary without requiring a complex integrated shielding structure. This segmentation simplifies the overall design while effectively addressing light leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-shield components act as intermediary elements between adjacent backlight regions, preventing light from one region from leaking into another. These intermediary shields are strategically placed at region boundaries and can be independently controlled, providing effective light isolation without requiring complex interconnections between all regions, thus maintaining structural simplicity.
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 simplifies assembly, lowers manufacturing costs, and improves brightness and display quality by concentrating light evenly across the backlight regions, minimizing light leakage and crosstalk.
Implementation Method 1
at least two light concentrators corresponding in one-to-one way to the at least two backlight regions and located in the at least two backlight regions
Implementation Method 2
at least two light-shield components corresponding in one-to-one way to the at least two backlight regions and surrounding the at least two backlight regions
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a light guide structure, a backlight module, a display screen, and a household appliance. The light guide structure includes: a light guide plate having at least two backlight regions arranged at intervals in an extension direction of the light guide plate; at least two light concentrators corresponding in one-to-one way to the at least two backlight regions and located in the at least two backlight regions; and at least two light-shield components corresponding in one-to-one way to the at least two backlight regions and surrounding the at least two backlight regions.