Tapered Light Guide for Document Presence Notification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Operators have difficulty visually confirming the presence of documents in document loading receivers due to the location of notification lamps being distant from the loading area, making it hard to recognize the status, especially for those seated in wheelchairs.

Innovation Solution

A display device with a translucent housing and a light guide that emits light uniformly, positioned to guide the operator's gaze effectively, featuring a tapered light guide and contact member to ensure visibility and understanding of the information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a notification lamp is provided on the operation panel to notify document presence, then the operator can be informed of document status, but the notification lamp is located distant from the document loading receiver making it difficult for the operator to see and recognize

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenotification visibilityVSAvoiddistance from document loading receiver

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The notification function is moved from the operation panel (2D surface) to a light guide that extends in three-dimensional space from the document loading receiver. The light guide protrudes outward and spans multiple dimensions, allowing the notification to be viewed from various angles and distances, effectively solving the visibility problem caused by distant positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

A light guide acts as an intermediary element between the document loading receiver and the operator's line of sight. Instead of directly viewing the document loading receiver or the distant operation panel, the operator views the notification through the light guide which mediates the information transmission and makes it visible at an intermediate position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the document loading receiver is positioned above the operation panel for space efficiency, then the apparatus structure is compact, but the receiver is located further toward the rear making it difficult for the operator to see loaded documents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefootprint areaVSAvoiddocument visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide changes its optical properties (emits light) to indicate document presence, creating a visual signal that compensates for the poor visibility caused by the elevated rear positioning. The illuminated light guide provides a clear visual cue that draws the operator's attention to the document loading status despite the inconvenient location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of manufacture

If the light guide has uniform thickness for structural simplicity, then manufacturing is easier, but the connection region between adjacent side surfaces creates shadowing that reduces light uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight guide fabricationVSAvoidlight uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide has different thicknesses in different regions: the connection region between adjacent side surfaces has a smaller thickness than other portions. This local variation in geometry compensates for the shadowing effect at the connection region, allowing light to pass through more uniformly across the entire light guide surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The thickness parameter of the light guide is changed in the connection region to optimize light transmission. By reducing the thickness at the connection region between adjacent side surfaces, the optical path is shortened and shadowing is reduced, resulting in more uniform light emission across the light guide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 display device effectively guides the operator's gaze and communicates the presence of documents, ensuring easy recognition and reducing the risk of missing notifications, even for users in wheelchairs.

Implementation Method 1

a light source provided inside the housing; and a translucent light display that is transmissive to light from the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and diffusion: Light

Implementation Method 2

the light guide and the light source have a light diffusion member therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentUS11856169B2Display device, document reading device, and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.12.26 SHARP KK

AI summary

A display device includes a non-translucent cover, a light source provided inside the cover, and a translucent light display that is transmissive to light from the light source. The light display has a protrusion disposed in a through opening of the cover. The protrusion fitted into the through opening from the inside spans a first side surface and a second side surface of the cover, and protrudes outward from the outer surface of the cover to form a light guide. The light guide has a smaller thickness in a corner portion corresponding to a connection region between the first side surface and the second side surface than in other portions thereof.