Rod-Shaped Light Guide Illumination with Slit Circuit Board

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manufacturing cost of illumination apparatuses that emit linear light is high due to the large number of constituent members, such as light sources, printed boards, and optical openings.

Innovation Solution

An illumination apparatus with a rod-shaped light guide and a circuit board with a slit, where the circuit board is positioned closer to the object than the light guide, reducing the number of components and manufacturing costs by directing light through the slit for emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a traditional illumination apparatus with multiple constituent members (light source, printed board, optical opening) is used, then the illumination function is achieved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidnumber of constituent members
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the circuit board and the optical opening into a single integrated structure. The circuit board is designed with a through-hole that serves as the optical opening, eliminating the need for a separate optical opening component. This integration reduces the number of constituent members and simplifies the assembly process, directly addressing the contradiction between manufacturing cost and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides electrical connection for the light source, acts as a structural support element, and functions as an optical opening through its through-hole design. By making the circuit board multi-functional, the patent reduces the total number of components needed in the illumination apparatus, thereby lowering manufacturing cost while maintaining the required illumination function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 reduces the number of components, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective light emission for illumination and authentication purposes.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide that is formed in a rod shape and that guides the light from the light source to the object to be illuminated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS9363406B2Illumination apparatus and paper sheet distinguishing apparatus
Publication Date: 2016.06.07 CANON COMPONENTS INC

AI summary

Provided is a light source unit that emits linear light to an original, the light source unit including: light sources that emit light; a light guide that is formed in a rod shape and that guides the light from the light sources to the original; a frame that houses the light sources and the light guide; and a circuit board including a conduction portion electrically connected to the light sources, wherein the circuit board is provided with a slit in a longitudinal direction of the light guide, the slit is disposed closer to the original than the light guide, and the light from the light guide is emitted to the original through the slit.