Shared-Lens Work Machine Display for Uniform Multi-LED Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional techniques require numerous individual lenses for work machines with multiple light emitting elements, leading to inefficiency and potential differences in lighting appearance due to varying light characteristics.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves arranging two or more light emitting elements at different distances from a reference point relative to a common lens, allowing for efficient use of lenses and minimizing user discomfort from lighting differences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If individual lenses are provided for each light emitting element, then lighting appearance consistency is maintained, but device complexity and manufacturing inefficiency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelens preparation efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of lenses
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light emitting elements (first LED and second LED) to share a single common lens. This merging approach reduces the total number of lenses required, improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining functional performance through optimized element positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The common lens serves multiple functions by receiving and transmitting light from different light emitting elements with varying characteristics. The lens is positioned and designed to handle light from both LEDs effectively, making it a universal component for the display system.

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

2Productivity

If a common lens is shared by multiple light emitting elements, then manufacturing efficiency improves, but lighting appearance consistency deteriorates due to varying light characteristics

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing efficiencyVSAvoidlighting appearance consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by positioning each light emitting element at specific locations relative to the common lens based on their individual light characteristics. The first LED is positioned at a first position and the second LED at a second position, optimizing each element's contribution to the overall lighting appearance through localized placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the positional parameters of the light emitting elements relative to the common lens. By adjusting the distances and positions of the first LED and second LED with respect to the lens, the system compensates for differences in light characteristics, maintaining consistent lighting appearance while using a shared lens.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If light emitting elements are arranged at the same position relative to the lens, then structural simplicity is maintained, but user comfort deteriorates due to perceived lighting differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrangement structureVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetry in the positioning of light emitting elements relative to the common lens. Instead of symmetric or identical positioning, the first LED and second LED are placed at different positions, creating an asymmetric arrangement that compensates for their different light characteristics and improves user comfort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent addresses the positioning problem by considering multiple spatial dimensions. The light emitting elements are arranged not only in terms of distance from the lens but also in lateral positions, utilizing dimensional freedom to optimize both structural simplicity and user comfort simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 effective information display by reducing the discomfort caused by lighting differences and optimizing the use of lenses in work machines with multiple light emitting elements.

Implementation Method 1

The lens is configured to propagate light from a light emitting element supported inside the housing by the support structure to an outside of the housing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Data Source

PatentEP4566437A1Work machine and display device
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 MAKITA CORP
  • EP4566437A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4566437A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4566437A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A work machine (1, 101) includes a housing (151), a support structure (59), and a lens (51). The support structure (59) is capable of supporting, inside the housing (151), a first and a second light emitting element (57, 58) each of which emits light in a first direction. The lens (51) is configured to propagate light from a light emitting element (57, 58) supported inside the housing (151) by the support structure (59) to an outside of the housing (151). The work machine (1, 101) is configured to display information by lighting using the lens (51). The support structure (59) is capable of supporting the first and the second light emitting elements (57, 58) at respective positions where a first distance on an imaginary plane (A1) orthogonal to the first direction is different from a second distance on the imaginary plane (A1). The first distance is between a reference point (P0) and the first light emitting element (57). The second distance is between the reference point (P0) and the second light emitting element (58).