Installation Switch Light Blocking Plate for Scattered Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Installation switches with lighting assemblies suffer from unwanted light emission into undesired areas due to the light guide not being directly aligned with the light source, resulting in unappealing light strips between components.

Innovation Solution

A light blocking plate system comprising two plates with ribs, positioned on the switch insert to prevent light from reaching gaps between the cover frame and rocker switches, ensuring light only exits through designated light guides.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the light guide is not arranged directly in the middle above the light source, then the lighting assembly can be simpler to manufacture, but unwanted light strips appear between the cover frame and rocker switch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting assemblyVSAvoidunwanted light strips

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful scattered light from the system by introducing a light blocking plate that prevents light from reaching gaps between components. The light blocking plate is positioned between the light source and the gaps, selectively blocking unwanted light paths while allowing desired light to reach the light guide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light blocking plate serves as an intermediary element between the light source and the surrounding gaps. It mediates the light propagation by allowing light to reach the light guide while blocking light from entering gaps between the cover frame and rocker switch, thus resolving the contradiction between simple manufacturing and preventing unwanted light strips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If the light source emits light in all directions, then the lighting assembly is simpler to construct, but light penetrates into undesired areas through gaps between components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting assemblyVSAvoidlight penetration into undesired areas

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting assembly is segmented into functional zones using the light blocking plate. The plate creates distinct light paths: one zone allows light to reach the light guide for desired illumination, while another zone blocks light from reaching gaps between components. This segmentation enables the light source to emit in all directions without causing harmful light penetration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potentially harmful scattered light into a beneficial effect by using the light blocking plate to redirect light that would otherwise enter gaps. The scattered light is blocked from undesired areas while being channeled toward the light guide, transforming what would be a defect into an efficient lighting solution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Ease of manufacture

If gaps exist between cover frame and rocker switch, then assembly is easier, but unwanted light strips appear affecting appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveassemblyVSAvoidappearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the appearance defect caused by gaps by introducing a light blocking plate that specifically targets and blocks light paths through these gaps. The gaps can remain for assembly purposes, but the light blocking plate prevents light from exploiting these gaps to create unwanted light strips, thus preserving appearance without compromising assembly ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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

Prevents unwanted light from spreading into undesired areas, enhancing the appearance of the installation switch by directing light only where needed, reducing scattered illumination between components.

Implementation Method 1

the light radiation generated by the light source reaching at least one light guide installed in at least one light guide window of the at least one rocker switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

a light blocking plate system consisting of two plates and placed on the switch insert is designed in such a way that light from the illuminant is prevented from reaching the gap between the cover frame and the rocker switch

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2312601B1Installation switch with at least one actuation rocker and a lighting assembly

Publication Date: 2015.03.25 ABB AG(DE)

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AI summary

The switch (10) has an illuminating component (30) including an illuminating unit (32) in a switch insert (20). The light radiation generated from the illuminating unit is applied on a light conductor, which is attached to light conducting windows (53, 55) of actuating rockers (50, 51) so that the visible illumination is created from a front side of the switch. A light-partitioning plate system (60) is supported on the insert and provided with two plates (61, 62) so that the light obtained from the illuminating unit is supplied to a gap between a cover frame (40) and the actuating rocker.