Transparent Member With Inclined Slopes For Wiring Concealment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for concealing wiring lines on surfaces, such as walls, either fail to match the aesthetic appearance or require modifications that are not feasible due to material constraints, leading to visible exposure and aesthetic degradation.

Innovation Solution

A transparent member with inclined slopes is used to reflect light and conceal wiring lines, creating a slim external shape with through-holes or concaves, allowing the wiring line to be positioned inside or on the surface side while maintaining a visually seamless appearance by simulating the view of the installation surface through the transparent member.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a molded member is used to cover wiring lines, then the wiring lines are concealed, but the color matching with the wall surface is difficult achieving complete aesthetic appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of wiring linesVSAvoidcolor matching capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a transparent member instead of a colored molded member. The transparency allows the wall surface color and pattern to show through, eliminating color matching issues while still concealing the wiring lines. The optical properties of the transparent member enable light to pass through and reflect, creating the illusion that the wall surface is continuous.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The transparent member acts as an intermediary between the wiring lines and the wall surface. It conceals the wiring lines while allowing the wall surface appearance to dominate the visual perception. The member's transparency and optical reflection properties mediate between the need for concealment and the need for aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If wiring lines are provided inside the wall surface, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but making holes in the wall surface is not allowed depending on the material

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of wiring linesVSAvoidinstallation feasibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the concealment function from the wall surface structure. Instead of integrating wiring lines into the wall surface (which would require making holes), the solution uses a separate transparent member that attaches to the wall surface. This segmentation allows installation without modifying the wall surface structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the solution from a two-dimensional wall surface integration problem to a three-dimensional space-utilization solution. The transparent member extends in the direction protruding from the wall surface, creating a slim housing that accommodates wiring lines without requiring holes in the wall surface. This dimensional approach allows installation on various wall surface materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a transparent member with slopes is used, then wiring lines are concealed and aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of wiring linesVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses inclined slopes (facets) on the transparent member to control light reflection and conceal wiring lines. These geometric features, while adding some structural complexity, are simple planar surfaces that can be easily manufactured. The slopes create optical effects that hide the wiring lines without requiring complex mechanisms or structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 solution effectively hides wiring lines, enhancing the aesthetic appearance by making the installation surface appear unobstructed, while allowing for reduced thickness and weight in electronic apparatuses without compromising aesthetics.

Implementation Method 1

a transparent member with inclined slopes is used to reflect light and conceal wiring lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3236551B1Structure, wiring module, and electronic device
Publication Date: 2021.07.21 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3236551B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3236551B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3236551B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This structure includes a transparent member. The transparent member has a first surface and a second surface arranged to face each other, and allows light entering from the first surface to propagate toward the second surface by reflection. The transparent member has a plurality of slopes inclined with respect to the first surface, in an optical path between the first surface and the second surface.