Illuminated Switch Light Leakage Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

In illuminated switch devices, light leakage occurs between different light sources due to clearance between the light-shielding wall and partition wall, leading to irregular brightness and poor lighting quality, and existing solutions to prevent this either increase the device size or are not effective.

Innovation Solution

A light-shielding wall and partition wall arrangement with variable gap and V-shaped protruding and concave features, where the leading end portions of the light-shielding wall and partition wall can approach or separate, forming a curved gap that effectively prevents light leakage between the light sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a clearance is ensured between the light-shielding wall and partition wall to control friction, then the sliding operation is smooth, but light leakage occurs between different light sources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesliding operation smoothnessVSAvoidlight leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by forming a groove in the partition wall and a protrusion on the light-shielding wall that fit together. This curved interface replaces a simple clearance gap, allowing the components to slide smoothly while maintaining light shielding. The groove-protrusion configuration ensures that light cannot leak through the interface even when clearance is present for friction control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the diameter of the casing or operating body is increased to prevent light leakage, then light shielding is improved, but the overall device size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakage preventionVSAvoidcasing diameter
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The curved groove-protrusion interface allows effective light shielding without increasing the overall device diameter. The groove formed in the partition wall and the corresponding protrusion on the light-shielding wall create a light-tight interface that prevents light leakage while maintaining a compact device form factor.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by creating a specific groove-protrusion configuration only at the interface between the partition wall and light-shielding wall where light leakage occurs. This localized structural feature provides light shielding precisely where needed without requiring overall enlargement of the casing or operating body.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If multiple light-shielding walls or partition walls are used to prevent light leakage, then light shielding effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight leakage preventionVSAvoidnumber of shielding components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the light-shielding function into the existing partition wall structure by forming a groove in it, and adds a simple protrusion to the light-shielding wall. This combination approach prevents light leakage without requiring separate additional shielding components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 arrangement ensures good lighting quality by minimizing light leakage between light sources without increasing the device size, using a single light-shielding wall and partition wall with opposite leading end portions, and maintaining the overall compactness of the switch device.

Implementation Method 1

since the partition wall 5 and the light-shielding wall 9 are formed of a light-shielding material, it is possible to prevent light emitted from the first light source 3 from leaking to the second illuminated region 8

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight shielding: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2056314B1Illuminated switch device
Publication Date: 2016.03.16 ALPS ALPINE CO LTD
  • EP2056314B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2056314B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2056314B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Disclosed is an illuminated switch device capable of effectively preventing light leakage between different light sources, thereby obtaining a good lighting quality, while reducing the overall size of the switch device. The illuminated switch device includes: a casing that has an open upper end and a partition wall provided therein and is formed on a bottom plate member having light sources and a push switch mounted thereon; and an operating body that has a light-shielding wall provided on the rear surface of an upper plate, is arranged so as to close the open end, and can be pressed. First and second illuminated regions to which light components are emitted from first and second light sources are provided on the upper plate. A protruding portion is formed at a leading end portion of a light-shielding wall, and a concave groove is provided at a leading end portion of a partition wall. The leading end portions are opposite to each other such that they can approach or separate from each other. At least a part of the protruding portion is arranged in the concave groove, and a gap is formed between the leading ends of the protruding portion and the concave portion.