Nonmetallic Light Guide Structure for Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-emitting modules in electronic devices face design restrictions and inefficiencies due to the need for elongated printed circuit boards or wires, which can cause signal interference and increased power consumption, especially when the light-emitting element is positioned on a side surface of the housing.
Innovation Solution
A nonmetallic light guide structure is integrated into the electronic device using a double injection-molding method, featuring a transparent or semi-transparent material for light guidance and an opaque portion for shielding, allowing the light-emitting element to be positioned inside the device with a short wire structure, thereby reducing design restrictions and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the light-emitting element is positioned on a side surface of the housing, then the light appears bright and visible, but the printed circuit board needs to be physically elongated to the position, placing many restrictions on electronic device design
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the light-emitting element and the display surface. The light guide receives light from the light-emitting element positioned inside the housing and redirects it to the display surface, eliminating the need for elongated printed circuit boards while maintaining light visibility and brightness
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure utilizes optical path dimensionality to transfer light from an internal position to an external display surface. By changing the dimension of light transmission through the light guide, the system achieves bright visible light without physical elongation of electrical connections, thereby reducing design restrictions
2Device complexity
If the light-emitting element is positioned inside the electronic device with a short wire structure, then design restrictions are reduced, but a larger amount of light energy needs to be emitted consuming a larger amount of power
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as an optical intermediary that efficiently transfers light energy from the light-emitting element to the display surface. This intermediary structure enables the use of lower power consumption light-emitting elements positioned inside the device while maintaining adequate light output visibility, as the light guide focuses and directs the light effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure merges the functions of light transmission, light direction, and light focus into a single component. This integration allows for efficient light energy utilization, reducing the total light energy and power required from the light-emitting element while maintaining visibility, thereby enabling short wire structures and greater design freedom
3Use of energy by moving object
If a structure is added to guide light emitted from the light-emitting element, then power consumption can be reduced, but light leakage must be prevented effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure incorporates different local properties: transparent or translucent regions for light transmission and opaque or light-absorbing regions for light leakage prevention. This local quality differentiation allows the single component to simultaneously guide light efficiently and prevent light leakage, enabling reduced power consumption while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure utilizes composite material properties, combining transparent/translucent materials for light guidance with opaque/light-absorbing materials for leakage prevention. This composite approach within a single integrated structure enables effective light management with reduced power consumption and reliable light leakage prevention
4Device complexity
If the light-emitting element is positioned inside the electronic device, then the wire structure can be shortened, but the light may leak and fail to reach the display surface effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves as an optical intermediary that captures light from the light-emitting element positioned inside the device and redirects it to the display surface. This intermediary structure ensures effective light guidance and prevents light leakage, maintaining illumination intensity while enabling short wire structures and greater design freedom
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide utilizes optical path dimensionality to transfer light from an internal three-dimensional position to a two-dimensional display surface. This dimensional transformation ensures that light reaches the display surface effectively even when the light-emitting element is positioned inside the device with short wires, preventing light leakage and maintaining guidance efficiency
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 effectively prevents light leakage and stabilizes light guidance, minimizing design constraints and power usage while simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a first portion (310) including a transparent or semi-transparent material, the first portion being configured to form a light guide between the light-emitting element and the display unit
Implementation Method 2
the first portion being configured to form a light guide between the light-emitting element and the display unit
Implementation Method 3
a third portion (330) including a second material which forms an opaque portion, the third portion being configured to surround at least a part of the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed in various embodiments of the present document are: a structure including a nonmetallic material and guiding, in one direction, light incident on one side; and an electronic device including the structure in an inner space thereof. According to the various embodiments, provided is an electronic device comprising: a housing having an inner space, and including an outer surface facing a first direction, an inner space facing the direction opposite to the first direction, and a display unit which is formed between the outer surface and the inner space and which has a thickness through which light passes through; a printed circuit board arranged in the inner space; at least one light-emitting element arranged in the inner space; and a nonmetallic structure arranged in the inner space, wherein the nonmetallic structure includes: a first part having a light guide between the light-emitting element and the display unit and including a transparent or translucent first material; a second part which is integrally formed with the first part, includes the first material, and is directly or indirectly fixed to the printed circuit board or the housing; and a third part encompassing at least a portion of the light guide and including a translucent second material. The nonmetallic light guide structure and the electronic device including same can be varied according to embodiments.