Relay Light Guide Path Diffusion Structure for Oblique Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional relays with operation indicating lights are difficult to visually recognize from an oblique direction due to non-uniform and narrowly directed light emission, making it troublesome to check the status of multiple relays in a control panel.
Innovation Solution
A relay design featuring a light guide path with a diffusion structure at the light exit surface and a thickness reduction part in its side surface, optimizing the light guide path length and diffusion characteristics to ensure light is easily visible from various angles, including oblique directions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide path is provided outside of a case to guide light from a light source, then the light can exit from an upper surface of the relay, but the light is less uniform and has a narrow directional angle, making it difficult to view from oblique directions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing a diffusion structure at a specific location (the light exit surface or near it) rather than uniformly throughout the entire light guide path. This localized diffusion treatment modifies the light properties only where needed - at the exit point - to broaden the viewing angle while maintaining the overall light guide structure and function.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffusion structure is positioned partially within or at the boundary of the light guide path, not requiring the entire path to be modified. This partial action approach achieves the desired light diffusion effect with minimal structural changes, avoiding the need to redesign the whole light guide system.
2Illumination intensity
If a diffuse reflection surface is provided around the display surface to diffuse leaked light, then visibility from the front is improved, but light leaks less from the side surface of the light guide path, so oblique direction visibility is not improved
Solution Approach 1:
The diffusion structure acts as an intermediary element between the light guide path and the external environment. Instead of relying on the case surface to diffuse light (which only helps front visibility), this dedicated diffusion structure is positioned to directly interact with the exiting light, effectively mediating the light's interaction with viewers from various angles.
3Manufacturing precision
If the light guide path is made longer to improve light distribution, then uniformity may improve, but the risk of sink marks and voids in the molded light guide path increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the physical dimensions of the light guide path - specifically reducing its length or thickness. This parameter change achieves a balance between maintaining adequate light distribution uniformity and reducing manufacturing defects like sink marks and voids that occur with longer mold cavities.
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 design enhances visibility of the operation indicating light from oblique directions, improving the recognition of the relay's status and maintaining uniform luminance distribution, while preventing sink marks and voids in the light guide path.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusion structure provided in an optical path of light which exits from the second end surface of the light guide path
Implementation Method 2
a light guide path which (i) receives, via a first end surface, light emitted from the light source and (ii) causes the light to exit outward from a second end surface
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a relay that includes (i) a case constituted by a base and a housing and (ii) a relay body, an operation indicating light, and a light guide path which are provided in the case. The base is made from an opaque resin. The relay body is provided on the base. The light guide path is made from a transparent resin. The light guide path is integrated with an inner surface of a side wall of the housing. The operation indicating light faces a lower surface (light-receiving surface) of the light guide path. An upper surface (light exit surface) of the light guide path is a textured rough surface having a diffusion structure. This allows an operator to easily visually recognize, even from an oblique direction, whether or not the operation indicating light is emitting light.