Reflection Structure for Hidden IR Receiver in Electronic Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with infrared ray receivers are inconvenient due to the need for a semi-transparent plastic cover that limits color options and requires labor-intensive assembly, and the receiver is often obstructed by the device's design, restricting the angular range of remote control operation.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device with a reflection structure on its housing that reflects optical signals from an emitter to a receiver, allowing the receiver to be hidden from view and enabling operation from various angles without the need for a semi-transparent cover, thereby enhancing functionality and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a semi-transparent plastic cover is used to cover the infrared ray receiver, then the receiver is hidden from view, but the assembly process becomes labor-intensive and color customization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the semi-transparent plastic cover from the device structure entirely. Instead of covering the receiver with a plastic cover, the invention uses a reflection structure formed directly on the device housing to redirect optical signals to the receiver, eliminating the need for separate cover components and their associated assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the receiver housing with the device housing by forming the reflection structure directly on the housing surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate plastic cover components and simplifies the overall structure, reducing both assembly complexity and manufacturing steps.
2Ease of operation
If the emitter is positioned in front of the device housing, then the optical signal can be received, but the operational angular range is limited to 90 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflection structure that redirects optical signals from the front of the device to the receiver positioned on the rear side. This dimensional redirection allows the emitter to be positioned in front while the receiver is located at the back, effectively expanding the operational angular range beyond the traditional 90-degree limitation and enabling remote control from various angles.
3Reliability
If the plastic cover is made dark red for infrared transmission, then the infrared ray can pass through effectively, but the cover cannot be freely painted to match the screen housing color
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the plastic cover component entirely, removing the constraint that required the cover to be made dark red for infrared transmission. Without the cover, there is no material whose color must be restricted, allowing the device housing to be painted in any color to match the screen housing while maintaining infrared transmission functionality through the reflection structure.
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
The solution effectively hides the infrared ray receiver, reduces assembly costs, and expands the operational range of the emitter beyond the traditional 90-degree angular limitation, improving user convenience and device practicality.
Implementation Method 1
a reflection structure formed on the device housing and neighboring to the receiver; wherein when the emitter is disposed in front of the device housing, the optical signal transmitted from the emitter directly reaches the reflection structure and is reflected by the reflection structure, and then the optical signal travels toward the receiver
Data Source
AI summary
The electronic device includes a device housing, an emitter, a receiver, and a reflection structure. The emitter is separated from the device housing and emits an optical signal. The receiver is disposed on the device housing for receiving the optical signal. The reflection structure is formed on the device housing and neighboring to the receiver. When the emitter is disposed in front of the device housing, the optical signal transmitted from the emitter directly reaches the reflection structure and is reflected by the reflection structure, and then the optical signal travels toward the receiver.