Illuminated Push-Button Switch Light Refraction Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a demand for increasing the amount of light illuminating the surrounding parts of illuminated push-button switches to enhance design variety and aesthetic appeal.

Innovation Solution

The illuminated push-button switch incorporates a structure on the transmission plate that refracts light from the light source, allowing it to be reflected within the plate and guided to the circumferential parts, thereby increasing the amount of light illuminating the lateral sides of the operation button.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If light reflection structures are used to illuminate the surrounding part, then the illumination can be achieved, but the amount of light reaching lateral sides is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveamount of light illuminating lateral sidesVSAvoidillumination structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the optical parameter from reflection to refraction by providing a refracting structure (prism or lens) on the light-emitting element. This refracting structure directs light toward the lateral sides of the operation button through refraction, significantly increasing the amount of light reaching the circumferential part compared to traditional reflection-based structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a refracting structure (prism or lens) as an intermediary component between the light-emitting element and the transmission plate. This intermediary element modifies the light path by refraction, enabling more effective illumination of the lateral sides without requiring complex multi-component reflection systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 approach effectively increases the amount of light illuminating the lateral sides of the operation button, improving the evenness and intensity of illumination, which addresses the demand for more aesthetically designed illumination.

Implementation Method 1

a first structure, provided on one side of the transmission plate which side faces the light source, operative to refract the light from the light source so that the refracted light is reflected within the transmission plate and then guided to a circumferential part of the transmission plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the refracted light is reflected within the transmission plate and then guided to a circumferential part of the transmission plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9748056B2Illuminated-type push-button switch and keyboard

Publication Date: 2017.08.29 OMRON CORP

AI summary

A push-button switch (1) is arranged such that, once a user presses an operation button (8), a switch body (20) performs an operation, and light from an LED (21) passes through a transmission plate (70) and then illuminates the operation button (8). A structure (700) is provided on a lower surface (70b) of the transmission plate (70) to refract the light from the LED (21) so that the refracted light is reflected within the transmission plate (70) and then guided to an upper circumferential wall (71) of the transmission plate (70).