Rotatable Lens Module Electrical Coupling Without Wire Twist

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing illumination devices with rotatable light distribution patterns face issues of wire damage due to twisting when the tubular members supporting liquid crystal panels are rotated, leading to potential damage at the coupling portions between wires and liquid crystal panels.

Innovation Solution

The illumination device incorporates a holding member that allows rotation, a lens module with stacked liquid crystal panels, a relay substrate, and a control substrate, using an elastic conductive member and wire harness to maintain electrical coupling through a contact with a conductive member, reducing wire damage by allowing the lens module and relay substrates to rotate together.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the tubular member is made rotatable to change light distribution pattern orientation, then the adaptability of the illumination device is improved, but the wires become twisted and damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution pattern orientationVSAvoidwire coupling reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional rigid wire coupling system with a magnetic coupling system. Magnets are embedded in the tubular member and corresponding magnetic components are placed on the liquid crystal panel, allowing rotational movement without mechanical wire connection. This eliminates wire twisting and damage while maintaining electrical connectivity through magnetic field interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces magnets as intermediary elements between the tubular member and liquid crystal panel. These magnets serve as mediators that enable rotational movement while maintaining electrical connection, eliminating the need for direct wire coupling and preventing wire damage during rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If wires are used to electrically couple the liquid crystal panel and control substrate, then the electrical connection is established, but the coupling portions are damaged during rotation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection stabilityVSAvoidcoupling portion damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical wire coupling with magnetic coupling to eliminate damage to coupling portions. Magnets embedded in the tubular member interact with magnetic components on the liquid crystal panel through magnetic fields, enabling stable electrical connection without physical wire contact that would be damaged during rotation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

Magnets serve as intermediary elements that transmit electrical connection without direct mechanical contact. The magnetic field acts as the transmission medium, allowing the liquid crystal panel to rotate freely while maintaining stable electrical coupling between components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the lens module is rotated to change light distribution, then the orientation is adjusted, but the weight and potential for damage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution orientationVSAvoidrotating component weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces heavy mechanical wire coupling systems with a lightweight magnetic coupling system. The magnets embedded in the tubular member and corresponding magnetic components on the liquid crystal panel enable rotation without the weight of extensive wire harnesses, reducing the overall weight of moving components while maintaining rotational functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 minimizes damage to the couplers between the lens module and wire harnesses, ensuring stable electrical connections and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly, while reducing weight and potential for damage during rotation.

Implementation Method 1

The elastic member is in contact with the conductive member so that the elastic member and the conductive member are electrically coupled to each other

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20260085829A1Illumination device and lens module

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 JAPAN DISPLAY INC

AI summary

According to an aspect, an illumination device includes: a holding member having a center axis extending in a first direction; a held member supporting the holding member to allow the holding member to rotate about the center axis; a lens module mounted on the holding member; a relay substrate mounted on the holding member and electrically coupled to the lens module through a wire harness; a light source mounted on the held member; and a control substrate. The lens module includes a panel unit in which liquid crystal panels are stacked in the first direction and a conductive member provided on a side surface of the panel unit and extending in the first direction. The wire harness is electrically coupled to an elastic member having conductivity. The elastic member is in contact with the conductive member so that the elastic member is electrically coupled to the conductive member.