Optical Fiber Light Guide for Sharp Bar Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display elements with light chambers provide a rough and blurred impression due to illuminated bar areas not being displayed without gaps, failing to meet modern user expectations for visual accuracy, especially with high-resolution displays.
Innovation Solution
A display element with light chambers featuring a light guide where one side is opaque or partially translucent, preventing light from adjacent chambers and creating a continuous, sharply defined illumination effect, mimicking an infinitely high-resolution analog display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light chambers are arranged next to one another with light barriers between them, then light can be directed to specific chambers, but the display appears rough and blurred due to gaps between illuminated bars
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary element between adjacent light chambers. The light guide extends beyond the light barrier, allowing light to propagate laterally and create an optical blending effect. This mediator component enables light from adjacent chambers to visually connect, eliminating the perception of gaps and producing a smooth, continuous display appearance while maintaining the functional separation of light chambers.
2Area of stationary object
If light guides are placed close together to maximize space, then device compactness is improved, but light from adjacent chambers leaks through causing blurred display
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves as an optical intermediary that manages light propagation between closely spaced chambers. By extending the light guide laterally beyond the light barrier, it creates an optical buffer zone that allows controlled light blending while maintaining physical compactness. This enables the device to achieve high spatial density without sacrificing display sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide's lateral extension parameter is optimized to achieve the desired balance between compactness and display sharpness. By adjusting the extent to which the light guide protrudes beyond the light barrier, the design controls the degree of light blending, enabling sharp display edges even when chambers are closely spaced.
3Measurement precision
If light barriers are made opaque to prevent light leakage, then light control precision is improved, but the display loses continuity and appears segmented
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as an optical intermediary that bridges the gap created by opaque light barriers. While the barriers maintain precise light control by blocking light completely, the light guide extends beyond these barriers to allow light propagation into adjacent regions. This creates a visual continuity effect where the human eye perceives a seamless display, eliminating the segmented appearance that would otherwise result from opaque barriers.
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 achieves a visually sharp and continuous bar graph display, enhancing user perception with a futuristic, high-resolution, and cost-effective design by ensuring no light chamber is left unlit and improving light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
The light generated in and/or for a light chamber is absorbed and/or reflected on the opaque or only partially transparent side of the light guide
Implementation Method 2
The light generated in and/or for a light chamber is absorbed and/or reflected on the opaque or only partially transparent side of the light guide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a display element (10) to represent bars of variable length, comprising a plurality of light chambers (4i) which are disposed adjacent to one another and in each case have a light barrier (20) to the respective adjacent light chamber (4i). The light chambers (4i) each comprise an optical fibre (2i), wherein the light barrier (20) is formed from one side of the optical fibre (2i) which is impermeable to light or only partially light-permeable. Moreover, a corresponding display instrument, vehicle and display method, and a corresponding use of an optical fibre (2i) is defined.