Scattering Film Connecting Element for Display Light Shaft
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display means for household appliances face challenges in achieving mechanical stability and optical separation between adjacent exit surfaces, leading to suboptimal diffuse light distribution and potential overexposure issues.
Innovation Solution
A display means featuring a scattering film connected to a light shaft via a molded connecting element, which covers the exit surfaces and includes a frame element or rib to prevent overexposure, ensuring secure attachment and uniform illumination without gaps, using an in-mold labeling or decoration process for manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the scattering film is connected to the light shaft using conventional attachment methods, then mechanical stability is improved, but optical separation between adjacent exit surfaces deteriorates leading to overexposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a connecting element as an intermediary component between the scattering film and light shaft. This connecting element serves dual functions: providing mechanical attachment (improving strength) and creating optical separation through frame elements or ribs that prevent light leakage between adjacent exit surfaces (eliminating overexposure).
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element is segmented into frame elements or ribs that create distinct optical zones. These segments physically divide the space between adjacent exit surfaces, ensuring optical separation while maintaining overall structural integrity for mechanical stability.
2Strength
If the scattering film is connected to the light shaft with secure attachment, then mechanical stability is improved, but gaps between the connection and exit surfaces may cause non-uniform illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting element acts as an intermediary that bridges the scattering film and light shaft while eliminating gaps. The frame elements or ribs extend to cover the exit surfaces completely, ensuring uniform light distribution without dark spots or non-uniform illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting element uses thin frame structures or ribs that can closely conform to the exit surfaces, eliminating gaps while maintaining a compact design. This ensures complete coverage for uniform illumination.
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 solution enhances mechanical stability and optical separation, providing complete and uniform illumination while preventing overexposure, thus improving the display's mechanical and optical performance.
Implementation Method 1
a scattering film for generating diffuse light by means of optical scattering
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a display device (1) for a household appliance, comprising a diffusing film (2) for generating diffuse light by means of optical diffusion and a light shaft (3) with at least one first inlet surface (4.1) for shining light into a first chamber (5.1) of the light shaft (3) and a first outlet surface (6.1) for emitting the light exiting from the first chamber (5.1) to the diffusing film (2), with at least one second inlet surface (4.2) for shining light into a second chamber (5.2) of the light shaft (3) and a second outlet surface (6.2) for emitting the light exiting from the second chamber (5.2) to the diffusing film (2), and with at least one separating the first chamber (5.1) from the second chamber (5.2) optically separating chamber side wall (7), further comprising at least one connecting element (8) molded onto the diffusing film (2), by means of which the diffusing film (2) is connected to the light shaft (3) covering the at least one first exit surface (6.1) and the at least one second exit surface (6.2). The invention also relates to a household appliance with such a display means (1).