Separate Light Guide for Transmissive Manipulating Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices with bar-shaped manipulating members face a challenge in optimizing the light guide structure to emit light from a wide zone while maintaining suitable resilient forces for user interaction, as an integral light guide affects the manipulating member's reaction forces.
Innovation Solution
A separate light guide member is used, extending along the manipulating member, which is made of a light-transmissive material and designed to receive light from a light source, allowing the member to glow over a wide zone while maintaining appropriate reaction forces during user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the light guide is integrally formed with the manipulating member to emit light from a wide zone, then the illumination area is improved, but the resilient force of the manipulating member deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the integrated structure into two separate components: a manipulating member and a light guide member. The light guide member is positioned adjacent to and parallel with the manipulating member, allowing light to be emitted along the manipulating member's length without the light guide's structure interfering with the manipulating member's elastic properties. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling wide-zone light emission while preserving the manipulating member's resilient force.
2Illumination intensity
If the light guide shape is optimized for wide zone light emission, then the illumination performance is improved, but the manipulating member's reaction force capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the light guide member from the manipulating member, each component can be independently optimized. The light guide member's shape and structure can be designed specifically for efficient light transmission and wide-zone emission, while the manipulating member maintains its original structure optimized for providing appropriate reaction forces during user interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member acts as an intermediary component that transfers light from the light source along the manipulating member without directly interfering with the manipulating member's mechanical function. This intermediary structure enables wide-zone illumination while preserving the manipulating member's operational characteristics.
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 enables the electronic device to effectively emit light from a wide zone of the manipulating member while ensuring suitable resilient forces for user operation, enhancing both illumination and usability.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member configured to receive light from the light source, the light guide member extending in the first directions and being disposed along the manipulating member
Implementation Method 2
The manipulating member is made of a light-transmissive material and is caused to glow by the light received from the light guide member
Implementation Method 3
the manipulating member being elastically deformable such that the pressable portion is movable in second directions transverse to the first directions
Implementation Method 4
When the end of the manipulating member is released of the push, the end of the manipulating member returns to its initial position under the resilient force of the manipulating member
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a manipulating member extending in first directions and having a portion serving as a pressable portion which is pressed by a user, the manipulating member being elastically deformable such that the pressable portion is movable in second directions transverse to the first directions; a light source; and a light guide member configured to receive light from the light source, the light guide member extending in the first directions and being disposed along the manipulating member, the light guide member being separate from the manipulating member. The manipulating member is made of a light-transmissive material and is caused to glow by the light received from the light guide member.