Transmission Position Indicator Light Guide Plate Diffusion Ink
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transmission position indicators require a large number of light emitting units, increasing production costs and PCB size, which restricts design flexibility and space utilization in vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A transmission position indicator using a single light source and a light guide plate with diffusion ink patterns to distribute light efficiently across gear indication characters, reducing the need for multiple light emitting units and simplifying the PCB design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light emitting units are provided around each gear indication character to enable different colors of light emission, then the visibility and distinction of selected gear are improved, but the production cost and PCB size are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light emitting units into a single integrated unit. The single light emitting unit contains multiple light emitting elements (first, second, third light emitting elements) that can emit different colors of light, replacing the conventional approach of having separate light emitting units for each color. This merging reduces the total number of light emitting units from multiple per character to just one per character, thereby reducing production cost and PCB size while maintaining the capability to display different gear positions with different colors.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light emitting unit is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating different light emitting elements that can emit different colors of light. This universal unit can indicate various gear positions (P, R, N, D, +, -) with different colors, replacing the need for dedicated light emitting units for each color and each position. The multi-functionality is achieved through the light guide plate that directs light from the single unit to multiple gear indication characters.
2Device complexity
If a single light source is used with a light guide plate to reduce the number of light emitting units, then production cost and PCB size are reduced, but the challenge arises in distributing light efficiently across multiple gear indication characters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide plate as an intermediary component between the single light emitting unit and the multiple gear indication characters. The light guide plate receives light from the single light emitting unit and efficiently distributes it to multiple gear indication characters (P, R, N, D, +, -). The plate contains light guide holes positioned at specific locations to direct light to corresponding characters, ensuring uniform and efficient light distribution across all gear positions while using only one light emitting unit.
3Area of stationary object
If the size of the transmission position indicator is minimized to enhance design freedom, then space utilization is improved, but the visibility of transmission position may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light emitting units into a single compact unit, which significantly reduces the overall size of the transmission position indicator. This integrated approach allows the indicator to maintain full functionality (displaying multiple gear positions with different colors) while occupying less space in the vehicle's passenger compartment. The compact design enhances design freedom and space utilization without compromising visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate acts as an intermediary that efficiently distributes light from the compact single light emitting unit to all gear indication characters. This ensures that even though the overall indicator size is minimized, each gear character receives sufficient light for clear visibility. The light guide plate's strategic hole placement and light distribution mechanism maintain illumination intensity despite the reduced size of the indicator assembly.
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 solution reduces the number of light emitting units on the PCB, lowering production costs and minimizing the indicator's size while maintaining visibility, thus enhancing design freedom and space utilization in vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate provided above the PCB and receiving light from the light source, wherein the light guide plate includes light-diffusion-ink patterns printed on a surface thereof
Data Source
AI summary
A transmission position indicator for a vehicle may include a housing, a PCB (printed circuit board) embedded in the housing, wherein a light source may be provided at a predetermined position on the PCB, a light guide plate provided above the PCB and receiving light from the light source, wherein the light guide plate includes light-diffusion-ink patterns printed on a surface thereof, each of the light-diffusion-ink patterns having ink dots, and a cover coupled to an upper end of the housing, wherein the cover may be made of opaque material and includes gear indication characters therein, the gear indication characters being made of transparent material, so that the light transmitted from the light guide plate may be emitted outside the cover through the gear indication characters.