Soft Light-Guide Member with Diffusion Microstructure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light-guide members in electronic devices are expensive to mold, time-consuming to produce, and prone to damage from impacts due to their hardness. Additionally, they require additional diffusing agents and sealants that degrade over time, leading to reduced waterproofing and potential damage to the device.
Innovation Solution
A soft light-guide member made of transparent silicone rubber with a diffusion microstructure on its light-emitting surface, which homogenizes light beams without additional diffusing agents. The member includes an annular rib for enhanced waterproofing and vibration absorption, reducing the need for conventional sealants and protecting surrounding components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional transparent plastic light-guide members are used with diffusing agents, then light diffusion is achieved, but molding cost increases and mold-making time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diffusing agent from the light-guide member material itself and extracts the light diffusion function to a separate component - the annular rib structure with micro-holes. This allows the light-guide member to be made from simple transparent plastic without expensive diffusing agents, while still achieving uniform light diffusion through the rib structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The annular rib is designed with numerous micro-holes forming a porous structure that diffuses light as it passes through. This porous rib structure replaces the need for chemical diffusing agents in the plastic, achieving light homogenization through physical structure alone, thereby reducing material costs and simplifying the molding process.
2Reliability
If sealant is applied to conventional light-guide members for waterproofing, then waterproofing is achieved, but the sealant ages due to moisture and heat, reducing waterproofing properties
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guide member is designed with an integrated annular rib structure that forms a self-contained waterproof barrier. The rib extends beyond the light-guide member's edge and creates a stepped structure that prevents moisture ingress without requiring external sealants. This self-service waterproofing structure eliminates the aging problem associated with organic sealants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the light-guide member with an annular rib structure made from the same or compatible material, creating a composite assembly that integrates both light guiding and waterproofing functions. This integrated composite structure eliminates the need for separate sealant materials that would otherwise be required.
3Strength
If conventional light-guide members with high hardness are used, then structural strength is maintained, but they collide with surrounding components during impact, generating abnormal sounds and damaging the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid conventional light-guide member with a flexible soft light-guide member made from elastomeric or silicone-based materials. This flexible structure can deform during impact events, absorbing shock energy and preventing hard collisions with surrounding components, thereby eliminating abnormal noises and potential damage while maintaining adequate structural integrity.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If soft material is used for the light-guide member, then vibration absorption and impact protection are improved, but light transmission and homogenization capabilities may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs soft elastomeric or silicone-based materials that inherently provide vibration damping and shock absorption while maintaining adequate light transmission properties. These materials are then combined with the annular rib structure featuring micro-holes, creating a composite system where the soft material provides mechanical protection and the rib structure provides optical homogenization, achieving both mechanical and optical requirements simultaneously.
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
The soft light-guide member effectively homogenizes light beams, provides reliable waterproofing, and absorbs vibrations, thereby increasing the lifespan of electronic devices, reducing the risk of abnormal noise, and eliminating the need for costly and time-consuming mold production.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusion microstructure is formed on a surface of the light-emitting portion
Implementation Method 2
the soft light-guide member of the embodiments of the invention can absorb vibration
Implementation Method 3
The soft light-guide member is adapted to guide a light beam provided by a light source
Data Source
AI summary
A soft light-guide member is provided. The soft light-guide member is adapted to guide a light beam provided by a light source. The soft light-guide member includes a light-entering portion and a light-emitting portion. The light-entering portion corresponds to the light source. The light beam enters the soft light-guide member via the light-entering portion, and leaves the soft light-guide member via the light-emitting portion. The soft light-guide member includes transparent silicone rubber. A diffusion microstructure is formed on the surface of the light-emitting portion.