Opaque Splits in Transparent Media for Optical Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Portable electronic devices face challenges in optical isolation between light emitters and detectors, leading to false signals and noise due to internal light leakage, which complicates the integration of these components within a single device without increasing device size.

Innovation Solution

A unitary optical component with transparent and opaque portions is integrated into the device housing, where the opaque portions are conductively connected to the device's ground point, preventing internal light reflection and leakage between the emitter and detector components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If light emitters and detectors are integrated into a single device, then device functionality is improved, but optical isolation between components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice functionalityVSAvoidoptical isolation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The optical component is segmented into transparent portions and opaque portions, where transparent portions allow light transmission for detector function and opaque portions block light pathways to prevent cross-talk between emitter and detector

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the optical component have different optical properties - transparent regions overlying the detector allow light detection while opaque regions between emitter and detector prevent internal light leakage, creating local quality variations to resolve the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If opaque portions are added to block internal light leakage, then optical isolation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinternal light leakageVSAvoidoptical component structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical component merges multiple functions into a single unit - light transmission for detection, light blocking for isolation, and electrical grounding - reducing the number of separate components while improving optical isolation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light transmission window for the detector, a light blocking barrier between emitter and detector, and an electrically conductive element grounded to the device chassis, thereby reducing overall device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If conductive material is deposited on optical portions, then electrical grounding is improved, but optical transmission properties may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical groundingVSAvoidoptical transmission

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive material is applied locally only to specific regions of the optical component where electrical grounding is needed, while transparent portions maintain their optical transmission properties for light detection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The optical component uses composite material structures combining transparent materials for light transmission with conductive materials for electrical grounding, achieving both optical and electrical requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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 configuration effectively reduces cross-talk and noise between light emitters and detectors, enhancing the accuracy of light detection from the ambient environment while maintaining a compact device design.

Implementation Method 1

an opaque portion disposed between the first transparent portion and the second transparent portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a conductive component in electrical communication with the opaque portion and an electrical ground point of the electronic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 3

The conductive material can be deposited by a physical vapor deposition process

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhysical vapor deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Data Source

PatentUS11805629B2Opaque splits embedded in transparent media for optical emitter/detector isolation

Publication Date: 2023.10.31 APPLE INC

AI summary

An electronic device can include a housing defining an aperture and at least partially defining an internal volume of the electronic device, an electromagnetic radiation emitter and an electromagnetic radiation detector disposed in the internal volume, and an optical component disposed in the aperture. The optical component can include a first and second transparent portions disposed above the electromagnetic radiation detector and the electromagnetic radiation emitter, and an opaque portion disposed between the first and second transparent portions. A conductive component can be in electrical communication with the opaque portion and one or more components of the electronic device.