Transparent Symbol Display Layout With Panel-Mounted Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wall-mounted control apparatuses for home automation systems have limited width for the operating region of the display due to the predefined dimensions required for housing two separate electronic cards, which restricts the visibility of graphical symbols and reduces the volume available for other electronic devices.

Innovation Solution

A displaying device with a single transparent screen and a support panel connected to it, where illumination bodies are connected directly to the support panel, emitting light beams through holes in the panel to illuminate graphical symbols, allowing for a wider operating region independent of the housing dimensions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If two electronic cards are set apart from each other to provide sufficient illumination area, then the illumination area is improved, but the depth of the box is increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination areaVSAvoiddepth of the box
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the two separate electronic cards into a single integrated card structure. The first electronic card carries the illumination bodies and is positioned in the same plane as the screen, while the second electronic card is integrated onto the same substrate or positioned adjacent without requiring additional depth. This merging eliminates the need for spacing between cards while maintaining illumination functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent repositions the illumination bodies to be substantially in the same plane as the screen rather than spacing them along the depth dimension. By changing the spatial arrangement from a depth-oriented configuration to a planar configuration, the illumination area is maintained without increasing box depth.

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

2Illumination intensity

If two electronic cards are set apart from each other to ensure sufficient spacing for illumination, then the illumination effectiveness is improved, but the volume available for other electronic devices is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination effectivenessVSAvoidvolume available for other electronic devices
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the two electronic cards into a single integrated card, eliminating the spacing requirement between them. This integration frees up the volume that would have been occupied by the second card and its spacing, making it available for other electronic devices such as thermometers, hygrometers, and antennas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated electronic card serves multiple functions: it carries the illumination bodies for screen illumination and provides mounting space for other electronic devices. This multi-functional design maximizes the utility of the available volume within the box.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If the distance between the two cards is increased to illuminate larger graphical symbols, then the visibility of symbols is improved, but the width of the operating region is limited by the box dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of symbolsVSAvoidwidth of the operating region
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the spatial configuration by positioning illumination bodies in the same plane as the screen rather than spacing them along the depth axis. This planar arrangement allows illumination of larger symbol areas without being constrained by the box depth, effectively increasing the operating region width.

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

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 enables a wider operating region for graphical symbols, allowing larger symbols to be displayed without increasing the housing dimensions, thus accommodating more electronic devices within the same space.

Implementation Method 1

The second electronic card is equipped with illumination bodies (preferably LEDs) each generating a beam of light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2710304B1A device for displaying graphical symbols
Publication Date: 2014.12.24 INTEREL TRADEMARKS
  • EP2710304B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP2710304B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP2710304B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

Described is a device (1) for displaying graphical symbols (2) comprising a screen (3) at least in part transparent on which at least one graphical symbol (2) is delineated and a support panel (5) connected to the screen (3). The support panel (5) has at least one through hole (8). Moreover, the displaying device (1) comprises at least one illumination body (9) emitting a light beam (10) passing through the hole (8) for illuminating the graphical symbol (2) on the screen (3). According to this invention, the illumination body (9) is connected to the support panel (5) at the hole (8). This invention also relates to a control apparatus (100) mounted on a wall (101) comprising a containment box (102), a front frame (111) connected to the containment box (102) and the displaying device (1) connected to the front frame (111).