Reciprocating Light Guide Plate Illumination Device for Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination devices for game machines require a large number of expensive optical elements as the size of light guide plates increases, leading to higher costs and reduced appeal due to static light presentation.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a light guide plate unit and a separate light projecting unit, where the light guide plate unit moves in the depth direction to share a single optical element among multiple light guide plates, reducing the number of required optical elements and enhancing presentation impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the size of light guide plates is increased to enhance illumination coverage, then the illumination area is improved, but the number of optical elements required increases leading to higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical element is designed to serve multiple light guide plates sequentially. The optical element projects light to illuminate different light guide plates in sequence through the moving mechanism, making one optical element perform the function of multiple optical elements and reducing the total quantity required.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static configuration where each light guide plate requires its own optical element to a dynamic configuration where a single optical element can illuminate multiple light guide plates in sequence through movement. The moving mechanism enables the optical element to dynamically reposition and serve different light guide plates.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are arranged on the light incident surface of each light guide plate to provide adequate illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the number of expensive light source elements increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single light source element in the optical element performs the illumination function for multiple light guide plates sequentially. Through the moving mechanism, one light source element replaces multiple light source elements by serving different light guide plates at different times, maintaining illumination intensity while reducing quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the illumination function for multiple light guide plates into a single optical element with one light source. Instead of having separate light sources for each light guide plate, the system merges these functions into one shared light source that serves all light guide plates through sequential illumination.
3Device complexity
If a static illumination configuration is used to simplify the device structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light presentation lacks appeal and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a moving mechanism that enables dynamic movement of the optical element relative to the light guide plates. This creates moving light presentation effects that enhance appeal and versatility, transforming the static illumination system into a dynamic one without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving mechanism enables periodic illumination of different light guide plates, creating rhythmic light presentation effects. The optical element moves to illuminate different light guide plates in sequence, generating periodic light patterns that enhance visual appeal and player attraction.
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 reduces the number of optical elements needed, lowers costs, and adds movement to the light presentation, increasing appeal and attracting player interest.
Implementation Method 1
the moving mechanism has a voice coil motor as a drive source
Implementation Method 2
a light guide plate configured to emit, from a light exit surface, light incident inside from a light incident surface
Implementation Method 3
reflecting the light with a prism provided on a back surface of the light guide plate and emitting the light from a front surface of the light guide plate
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device according to one or more embodiments may include: a light guide plate unit comprising a front light guide plate and a rear light guide plate arranged in a depth direction at a predetermined interval, and a light projecting unit arranged at a side of the light guide plate unit. The light projecting unit may comprise an LED in an amount of one piece among the front light guide plate and the rear light guide plate; and a moving mechanism configured to cause the light guide plate unit to reciprocate in the depth direction to cause a light incident surface of either one of the front light guide plate and the rear light guide plate to be opposed to the light projecting unit.