Prism Surface Light Guide Layout for Better Light Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing light guide configurations, such as those described in Patent Literature 1, suffer from low light extraction efficiency due to the thickness difference between the intermediate and annular light guide portions, which hinders effective light transmission to the prism surface.
Innovation Solution
A light guide configuration featuring a rod-shaped first light guide portion with a prism surface, a rod-shaped second light guide portion for light intake, and a rod-shaped intermediate light guide portion with side surfaces connected to both, where the intermediate light guide portion's thickness is smaller than the other two, ensuring continuous side surfaces for efficient light transfer and using inclined surfaces to enhance light propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the thickness of the intermediate light guide portion is made smaller than the thicknesses of the first and second light guide portions, then the light guide can be arranged with the first light guide portion exposed to the outside and the light source placed in a location not visible from the outside, but light entering the first light guide portion after passing through the intermediate light guide portion does not easily reach the prism surface, resulting in low light extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the side surface of the intermediate light guide portion continuous with the prism surface in the same plane, creating a localized optical pathway that enables light to reach the prism efficiently despite the overall reduced thickness of the intermediate portion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the contradiction by transitioning from a uniform three-dimensional structure to a configuration where the intermediate light guide portion's side surface aligns with the prism surface in the same plane, creating a direct optical pathway that bypasses the thickness limitation
2Volume of moving object
If the thickness of the intermediate light guide portion is smaller than the thicknesses of the first and second light guide portions, then the light guide structure is more compact and allows better positioning, but light transmission to the prism surface becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains compactness while ensuring efficient light transmission by making the side surface of the intermediate light guide portion continuous with the prism surface in the same plane, creating a localized direct optical pathway that compensates for the reduced thickness
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 significantly improves light extraction efficiency and uniformity by ensuring light easily reaches the prism surface, reducing color unevenness and enhancing brightness uniformity, especially when using RGB lights.
Implementation Method 1
a rod-shaped first light guide portion (11) having a prism surface (113) extending along a lengthwise direction of the rod-shaped first light guide portion (11) and having a prism (114) to reflect internally propagating light and output the light to an outside
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide includes a rod-shaped first light guide portion including a prism surface including a prism to reflect internally propagating light and output the light to an outside along a lengthwise direction thereof, a rod-shaped second light guide portion including a light intake portion to take in light from a light source, and a rod-shaped intermediate light guide portion between the first light guide portion and the second light guide portion provided such that side surfaces thereof are connected to side surfaces of the first light guide portion and the second light guide portion. A thickness of the intermediate light guide portion is smaller than a thickness of the first light guide portion and a thickness of the second light guide portion. A side surface of the intermediate light guide portion on a side of the prism surface is continuous with the prism surface in a same plane.