Wall-mounted control device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wall-mounted control devices face challenges in providing a clear and readable display due to light bleed between LEDs and inaccurate ambient light sensing, which affects the brightness adjustment of icons.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light guide that blocks at least ninety percent of light generated by one LED from reaching another LED and an ambient light sensor, along with light colored paint on the display to impede ambient light, allowing for better light dispersion and reduced dependence on light source orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a light guide is added to block light between LEDs, then display clarity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between LEDs and the display surface. The light guide blocks light from traveling between adjacent LEDs, preventing light bleed while still allowing light to reach the intended display areas. This mediator resolves the contradiction by improving display clarity without requiring fundamental changes to the LED structure.
2Measurement precision
If the ambient light sensor opening is enlarged, then light sensing accuracy is improved, but light bleed from LEDs to sensor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented with specific opening patterns that allow light to pass through only in desired directions. These segmented structures create controlled light paths that permit ambient light to reach the sensor while blocking direct light from LEDs. The segmentation enables the opening to be effectively enlarged for better sensing without allowing harmful light bleed.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light colored paint is applied to the display, then ambient light dispersion is improved, but light transmission to sensor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Light colored paint is applied selectively to specific regions of the display rather than uniformly across the entire surface. The paint is applied in areas where ambient light dispersion is needed, while leaving other areas unpainted or with different properties to maintain light transmission to the sensor. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing dispersion where needed without compromising sensor function.
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 enhances the clarity of the display by reducing light bleed and improves the accuracy of ambient light sensing, enabling better brightness adjustment of icons based on ambient conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide that blocks at least ninety percent of the light generated by one LED from traveling to another LED
Implementation Method 2
a light guide that blocks at least ninety percent of the light generated by a light emitting diode from traveling to an ambient light sensor
Implementation Method 3
an ambient light sensor positioned behind a portion of the display. The light colored paint may impede the ambient light by more than fifty percent as the light passes through the display to the ambient light sensor
Data Source
AI summary
In some examples, a wall-mounted control device includes a display, a circuit board, and a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) coupled to the circuit board and configured to illuminate a plurality of icons on the display. The wall-mounted control device also includes a light guide positioned between the circuit board and the display, where the light guide is configured to block at least ninety percent of the light generated by a first LED of the plurality of LEDs from traveling to a second LED of the plurality of LEDs.