Proximity Sensor Light Guide Radial Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing proximity sensors face challenges in achieving omnidirectional visibility with high luminance using a single light emitting element, as they often require LEDs on both surfaces of the substrate and struggle to direct light effectively towards the display section.
Innovation Solution
The proximity sensor design includes a light emitting element aligned with the detection coil's axial direction, a light diffusion section to diffuse light in non-axial directions, and a light guide section with multiple partial sections to guide light radially, ensuring visibility in all directions. This configuration uses a single light emitting element and opaque resin for effective diffusion, with additional features like a light shielding diffusion member and strategically placed wiring to enhance light guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light emitting element is used, then device complexity is reduced, but omnidirectional visibility with high luminance cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide section is divided into multiple partial light guide sections (first, second, third, fourth) that guide light in different radial directions. This segmentation allows a single light emitting element to illuminate multiple directions effectively, achieving omnidirectional visibility without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear light guidance to radial light guidance by arranging partial light guide sections around the light emitting element in different directions. This dimensional change enables light to be distributed omnidirectionally while maintaining a single light source
2Illumination intensity
If LEDs are mounted on both surfaces of the substrate, then omnidirectional visibility is achieved, but device complexity and current consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple LEDs on both substrate surfaces, the invention segments the light guide into multiple partial sections that distribute light from a single LED in different directions, achieving the same omnidirectional effect with reduced complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single light emitting element serves multiple functions by illuminating all directions through the radial arrangement of partial light guide sections, replacing the need for multiple specialized LEDs on different surfaces
3Stability of the object's composition
If the LED is mounted at a distance from the display section with opaque epoxy resin, then structural stability is improved, but light transmission and luminance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide section acts as an intermediary between the light emitting element and the display section, efficiently transmitting light through the opaque epoxy resin environment. The light guide sections conduct light radially to the display section, maintaining luminance despite the presence of opaque materials
Solution Approach 2:
By changing from linear light transmission to radial light guidance through multiple partial sections, the invention overcomes the light blocking effect of opaque epoxy resin, ensuring light reaches the display section effectively
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 design ensures omnidirectional visibility with high luminance using a single light emitting element, preventing increased current consumption and component complexity, while maintaining clear visibility of emitted color lights and avoiding mixing of light paths.
Implementation Method 1
a light diffusion section which diffuses light emitted from the light emitting element in a direction other than the axial direction
Implementation Method 2
a light guide section which guides light diffused by the light diffusion section to a display section provided on a side surface of the casing
Data Source
AI summary
To ensure omnidirectional visibility of a proximity sensor with high luminance using a single light emitting element. A proximity sensor (1) includes a substrate (14) on which a control unit (20) is formed and in which a normal direction of the substrate is perpendicular to an axial direction of a coil section (13), a light emitting element (15) which emits light in the axial direction on the substrate, a light diffusion section (16a) which diffuses emitted light in a direction other than the axial direction, and a light guide section (16b) which guides diffused light to a display section (21) on a side surface.