Segment Display Light Guide with Closed Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional segment displays suffer from poor readability due to scattered light in connecting webs, require large housing distances for stability, and have increased production times and overexposure issues, especially in plastic housings.
Innovation Solution
A segment display design featuring light-guiding elements connected via a closed surface at the light exit point, minimizing light scattering and allowing for closer segment arrangement, with recessed segments and a cover to reduce overexposure and enhance legibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If light-conducting elements are connected by connecting webs, then light can be guided from the light source, but scattered light leads to overexposure and poor readability
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the connecting webs that caused light scattering and extracts only the essential light-guiding function. The light-conducting elements are now directly integrated into the housing structure without intermediate connecting components, eliminating the source of stray light while maintaining light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing itself serves as an intermediary structure that both shields and guides light. By integrating the light-conducting elements directly into the housing with optimized geometric light transmission paths, the housing acts as both protective enclosure and light guide, eliminating the need for separate connecting webs.
2Stability of the object's composition
If large distances are maintained between segments for housing stability, then the housing structure is stable, but readability and compactness deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the housing structure with the light-conducting element supports. The housing directly integrates the geometric light transmission paths and segment positioning features, combining structural support and optical guidance functions into a single unified structure that achieves both stability and compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from planar segment arrangement to three-dimensional geometric light transmission paths. By utilizing spatial dimensions and angular light paths within the housing, segments can be positioned closer together while maintaining optical isolation and housing stability through vertical and angular separation rather than only horizontal spacing.
3Area of stationary object
If segments are arranged closer together, then compactness and resolution improve, but overexposure to neighboring segments increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different optical properties to different regions of the housing. Each light-conducting element has its own optimized geometric light transmission path with specific angular ranges and shielding characteristics tailored to its position, allowing close segment arrangement while preventing cross-contamination through localized optical zone definition.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the potential harm of close segment proximity into a benefit by using the housing walls themselves as light guides. The geometric light transmission paths use controlled light scattering and reflection within the housing material to direct light precisely to intended segments while using the same close proximity to enable compact design, turning what was a problem into a solution.
4Ease of manufacture
If plastic housing is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but shielding against light overexposure becomes poor
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the plastic housing material and geometry. By optimizing the housing wall thickness, refractive index, and geometric light transmission path angles, the plastic housing achieves both ease of manufacture and effective light shielding. The geometric design compensates for plastic's lower inherent light-blocking properties compared to metal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite optical-structural system where the plastic housing serves dual functions as both structural enclosure and optical guide. By integrating geometric light transmission paths directly into the molded plastic housing, the design achieves manufacturing simplicity while the optimized geometry provides light shielding equivalent to more expensive materials.
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 design improves readability, reduces housing size, and simplifies assembly by minimizing stray light and overexposure, enabling a more compact and efficient production process.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (2) with at least two light-conducting elements (3), which each have a light entry point (4) and a light exit point (5)
Implementation Method 2
the scattered light generated by the scattering in the connecting webs leads to overexposure in the individual light-guiding elements
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 3
AI summary
The display has a light guide (2) including a light conductive element (3) provided with a light entry point and a light emit point. The light guide includes a closed surface (7) at a side of the light emit point, where the display exhibits 2x7 or 2x14 segments (10) formed as recesses in the closed surface. A covering (12) is made of gray glass, and is connected with the display via a connection element. A cover surface of the closed surface is blackened, and the light guide is made of polycarbonate. An independent claim is also included for a segment module including a unit for separating a light conductive element.