Slide Control Light Guide for Even Console Slit Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting control consoles require significant structural expenditure to achieve even illumination of slide controls in dark environments, necessitating multiple light sources and complex light conducting elements to prevent extraneous light from illuminating control panels.

Innovation Solution

A lighting control console design utilizing a single main light entry surface with varying light exit elements and distances to ensure even illumination along the slit, reducing the need for multiple light sources and simplifying the light conducting element's structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are used to illuminate the slit evenly, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity and constructional expenditure increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination uniformityVSAvoidconstructional expenditure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light conducting element is divided into multiple light exit surfaces (first, second, third light exit surfaces) arranged at different positions along the slit. Each light exit surface independently contributes to illuminating a specific section of the slit, enabling even distribution of light across the entire slit length using a single light source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from illuminating the slit from the side (requiring multiple light sources positioned along the slit) to illuminating it from the interior through a light conducting element. The light exits through multiple surfaces distributed in three-dimensional space within the housing, achieving even illumination without increasing the number of light sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are positioned along the slit, then even illumination is achieved, but the number of components and structural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeven illumination distributionVSAvoidnumber of light sources

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light exit functions are merged into a single light conducting element. The element integrates the roles of multiple light sources by providing multiple light exit surfaces that collectively illuminate the entire slit, reducing the total number of components while maintaining even illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single light conducting element performs multiple functions: it conducts light from one light source and distributes it through multiple exit surfaces to illuminate different sections of the slit. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate light sources and their associated mounting structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If a single light source is used, then constructional expenditure is reduced, but illumination uniformity along the slit deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconstructional expenditureVSAvoidillumination uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the light conducting element have different properties. The element features multiple light exit surfaces with potentially different areas, orientations, or positions, each optimized to illuminate specific local sections of the slit. This local variation in the light conducting element's structure compensates for the distance-dependent light intensity decay, achieving uniform overall illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 achieves even illumination of the slide control slit with reduced constructional expenditure, enhancing user accessibility in dark settings while maintaining efficient light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a light conducting element (10) which has only one main light entry surface (13) through which light is coupled for illuminating the slit (09)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight conduction: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentUS11009649B2Lighting control console having a slide control

Publication Date: 2021.05.18 MA LIGHTING TECH

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting control console (01) for controlling a lighting system, digital adjusting commands being generated in the lighting control console (01), a slide control (06) being provided in the housing (08) of the lighting control console, a slit (09) being provided in the housing (08) of the lighting control console (01), being penetrated by a connecting lever originating from the interior of the housing (08) and mechanically connecting the control knob (07) to the slide control (06), at least one light conducting element (10) allocated to the slit (09) being provided in the housing (08) of the lighting control console (01) and extending along the longitudinal axis of the slit (09), at least one light source being provided in the housing (08) of the lighting control console (01) and said light conducting element (10) comprising at least one light entry surface (13) at which light can be coupled into the light conducting element (10) from the light source, said light conducting element (10) comprising light exit surfaces along the longitudinal axis of the slit (09), light being able to exit from the light conducting element (10) at the light exit surfaces.