Pointer Structure Light Guide Asymmetric Reflection Angles
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing pointer structure experiences light loss due to oblique rays leaking outside the pointer main body because the outer and inner reflection surfaces at the pointer bend portion are parallel, leading to insufficient brightness for illumination.
Innovation Solution
The pointer structure features a pointer main body with a light guide portion and a visualizing portion connected through a pointer bend portion, where the outer reflection surface and inner reflection surface have a normal line intersection angle greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees, ensuring that reflected rays enter the boundary surface at a higher angle, reducing the likelihood of leakage and enhancing total reflection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the outer and inner reflection surfaces at the pointer bend portion are formed parallel to each other, then the pointer structure is simple to manufacture, but oblique rays of light leak outside the pointer main body causing light loss and insufficient brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the geometric parameter of the reflection surfaces by setting the normal line intersection angle between the outer and inner reflection surfaces to greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. This parameter modification prevents oblique light rays from leaking at the boundary surface while maintaining manufacturing feasibility, thereby resolving the contradiction between brightness and device complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If the dial plate is disposed frontward of the display to improve visibility of important information, then the visibility of dial plate is improved, but the display arranged backward becomes obstructed by the pointer structure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs asymmetric configuration of the reflection surfaces at the pointer bend portion, where the outer and inner reflection surfaces are not parallel but form a specific angle relationship. This asymmetric design optimizes light guidance and visibility while accommodating the S-shaped pointer structure that passes through the display, resolving the contradiction between dial plate visibility and manufacturing ease.
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 improves light utilization efficiency by minimizing light loss at the pointer bend portion, maintaining brightness and visibility of the pointer.
Implementation Method 1
a ray of light from the light source enters an outer reflection surface formed at an outer corner of the pointer bend portion and reflects at a reflection angle equal to an incidence angle
Implementation Method 2
a first reflection ray of light entered the inner reflection surface formed at an inner corner of the pointer bend portion and reflects at a reflection angle equal to an incidence angle
Implementation Method 3
the second reflection ray of light is less to leak outside the pointer main body and readily goes into total reflection at the boundary surface
Data Source
AI summary
A pointer structure including: a pointer main body formed by a light guide member and having a light guide portion closer to a light source and a light guide portion closer to a visualizing portion that are continued together through a pointer bend portion; an outer reflection surface formed at an outer corner of the pointer bend portion so that a ray of light from a light source can be incident thereon; and an inner reflection surface formed at an inner corner of the pointer bend portion and having a normal line thereof intersecting with a normal line of the outer reflection surface, the normal line of the inner reflection surface intersecting with the normal line of the outer reflection surface at an including angle θ, on a light input side, smaller than 180 degrees and greater than 90 degrees.