Speaker Lightguide Aperture Layout for Wide-Angle Status Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
The light indicators of smart speaker devices are not sufficiently noticeable from different viewing angles, leading to user discomfort and potential misinterpretation of device status or commands.
Innovation Solution
A specific configuration of the exit aperture with a defined aspect ratio and a lightguide system featuring transversely extending protrusions to diffuse light, ensuring wider and more uniform light emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional light indicators are used in speaker devices, then the device can indicate status and visualize sounds, but the light emitted is not sufficiently noticeable from different viewing angles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide element that redirects light from a vertical orientation to a horizontal orientation, changing the dimension of light emission. This allows the light to spread across a wider angular range horizontally while maintaining intensity, resolving the contradiction between visibility and viewing angle adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide acts as an intermediary between the light source and the external environment. It receives light from the LED and redistributes it across multiple angles through total internal reflection and controlled exit surfaces, enabling the light to be visible from various viewing angles while maintaining sufficient intensity
2Illumination intensity
If the light indicator emits light at a narrow angle, then the light source structure remains simple, but the light appears not bright enough from a distance
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide transforms vertically directed light into horizontally spread light, effectively changing the emission dimension. This allows the light to reach greater distances and wider angles without requiring a more powerful light source, balancing brightness at distance with structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of the light guide, including its refractive index, geometry, and surface characteristics, to optimize light redirection efficiency. These parameter changes enable effective light distribution across wide angles and distances while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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
Enhances light visibility from various angles, improving user experience by making the light indicators more noticeable and consistent in appearance.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one wall are arranged such that light emitted by the light source: travels through the lightguide to be incident on the reflective surface; reflects off the reflecting surface
Implementation Method 2
a lightguide disposed in the interior of the device body, the lightguide being in optical communication with the light source, the lightguide extending at least partially between the light source and the aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A speaker device is provided. The speaker device comprising: a device body having: a top surface, a reflecting surface extending at least partially downwardly from an exterior edge of the top surface, at least one wall at least partially overlapping with the reflecting surface, an aperture being defined between the exterior edge of the top surface and a top edge of the at least one wall, a light source disposed in an interior of the device body, and a lightguide disposed in the interior of the device body, the lightguide extending at least partially between the light source and the aperture; and the reflecting surface, the light source, the lightguide, and the at least one wall being arranged such that light emitted by the light source: travels through the lightguide to be incident on the reflective surface; reflects off the reflecting surface; and exits the speaker device through the aperture.