Resin Case Recessed Light Portion for Vehicle Electronic Unit Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic units for wireless communication devices, such as those mounted on vehicles, lack a clear visual indication of their operating state, making it difficult to determine whether they are operational without physical inspection.
Innovation Solution
An electronic unit with a resin case that includes a light-transmission portion with an outer-surface-side concave portion, allowing for desired luminance when viewed from outside, and a second light-transmission portion with lower luminance, along with a rubber holder and waterproof structure, to visually indicate the operating state through light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the resin case uses a uniform thickness design, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the light transmission portion cannot achieve desired luminance brightness when viewed from outside
Solution Approach 1:
The resin case is designed with different thicknesses in different regions: the light transmission portion has a reduced thickness to allow more light passage and achieve desired luminance brightness, while other portions maintain original thickness for structural integrity. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making the case structure complex only where necessary for optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a thickness dimension variation in the resin case design. By creating an outer-surface-side concave portion that reduces thickness specifically at the light transmission area, the solution transforms a two-dimensional uniform case into a three-dimensional variable-thickness structure, enabling improved light transmission without compromising overall case strength.
2Illumination intensity
If the light transmitter is positioned close to the resin case inner surface, then the light transmission efficiency is high, but the luminance distribution becomes uneven and visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention positions the light transmitter at a distance from the resin case inner surface, utilizing the created space in the thickness dimension. This spatial arrangement allows light to distribute more evenly within the case before exiting through the light transmission portion, achieving both efficient transmission and uniform luminance distribution for better visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The resin case itself acts as an intermediary medium between the light transmitter and the external environment. By positioning the light transmitter away from the inner surface and using the reduced-thickness light transmission portion as an optical pathway, the case mediates light distribution to achieve even luminance while maintaining transmission efficiency.
3Strength
If the resin case is made thicker for structural strength, then the protection capability is improved, but the light transmission brightness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The resin case employs local quality differentiation where only the light transmission portion has reduced thickness for optimal light passage, while other portions maintain greater thickness for structural strength. This selective thickness variation resolves the contradiction by ensuring both protection capability and light transmission brightness are optimized in their respective regions.
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
Enables easy recognition of the operating state at a glance by varying the brightness of the light-transmission portions, improving visibility and preventing moisture ingress, thus ensuring the unit's operational status is clear and the circuit board remains protected.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitter mounted on one side of the circuit board and configured to emit a light
Implementation Method 2
a first light-transmission portion configure to transmit the light emitted from the light emitter to outside of the resin case so as to be bright in desired luminance when viewed from the outside
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic unit includes a circuit board, a light emitter mounted on one side of the circuit board and configured to emit a light, and a resin case accommodating the circuit board on which the light emitter is mounted. The resin case includes a first light-transmission portion configure to transmit the light emitted from the light emitter to outside of the resin case so as to be bright in desired luminance when viewed from the outside. The first light-transmission portion includes an outer-surface-side concave portion which is formed by recessing an outer surface of the resin case so that a thickness of the first light-transmission portion is thinner than a thickness of the resin case except for the first light-transmission portion.