Ring-Shaped Light Guide Module With Recessed Emitters for Uniform Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ring-shaped optical fibers emit light in a single region, creating dark regions and are expensive, while light-emitting elements beneath a ring-shaped lens occupy significant space and cause uneven brightness and hot spots when spaced too closely.
Innovation Solution
A ring-shaped light guide module comprising a ring-shaped light guide plate with accommodating recesses for light-emitting elements, a reflective layer, and a circuit board, designed to minimize space occupation and enhance light uniformity, using a thickness gradient and reflective surfaces to improve light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a ring-shaped optical fiber is used for light emission, then the structure is simple, but it can only emit light in a single region and creates dark regions at junctions, and the cost is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ring-shaped light guide plate into multiple segments with accommodating recesses that hold individual light-emitting elements. This segmentation allows multiple light sources to be distributed around the ring, eliminating dark regions at junctions while maintaining the overall ring structure for cost-effective manufacturing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple light-emitting elements within a single ring-shaped light guide plate structure. By integrating several light sources into one unified ring component, the design achieves uniform light emission around the entire ring while keeping the manufacturing process simpler and more cost-effective than using separate optical fibers.
2Volume of moving object
If light-emitting elements are disposed beneath a ring-shaped lens, then the space occupation is reduced, but it causes uneven brightness and hot spot phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a vertical arrangement (elements beneath the lens) to a horizontal arrangement (elements on the circuit board surrounding the light guide plate). This dimensional change allows light-emitting elements to be distributed around the ring in a planar configuration, achieving uniform light emission while maintaining compact space occupation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions light-emitting elements at specific locations around the ring-shaped light guide plate, with each element serving a localized function. The accommodating recesses ensure each element is precisely positioned to contribute to uniform overall brightness while maintaining compact dimensions.
3Volume of moving object
If the distance between light-emitting elements and ring-shaped lens is reduced, then the occupied space is reduced, but it causes hot spot phenomenon
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light-emitting elements and positions them at optimized distances from the light guide plate through the accommodating recesses. This segmentation allows each element to be positioned at an appropriate distance, reducing space occupation while preventing hot spots through proper spatial distribution.
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 module achieves uniform light emission and reduced size, addressing the issues of dark regions and high cost, while maintaining brightness and reducing the risk of hot spots.
Implementation Method 1
The reflective layer covers a portion of an inner ring surface and a first side surface of the ring-shaped light guide plate
Implementation Method 2
the ring-shaped light guide plate is made of a light guide material containing a plurality of light diffusing particles
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a ring-shaped light guide module, which includes a ring-shaped light guide plate, a circuit board, a plurality of top light-emitting elements and a reflective layer. The ring-shaped light guide plate has a plurality of accommodating recesses disposed on an outer ring surface of the ring-shaped light guide plate and separated from each other. The circuit board surrounds a portion of the outer ring surface of the ring-shaped light guide plate. The top light-emitting elements are disposed on the circuit board and respectively located in the accommodating recesses. The reflective layer covers a portion of an inner ring surface and a first side surface of the ring-shaped light guide plate. A light emitting device including the aforementioned ring-shaped light guide module is also provided.