U.S. patent application number 17/026588 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-12 for electronic device with light guide module comprising two light guide units and elastic unit there between.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wistron NeWeb Corp.. Invention is credited to Shin-Jie HO, Che-Min LIN, Chi-Wen TSAI.
Application Number | 20210247561 17/026588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005736012 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210247561 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TSAI; Chi-Wen ; et
al. |
August 12, 2021 |
ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH LIGHT GUIDE MODULE COMPRISING TWO LIGHT
GUIDE UNITS AND ELASTIC UNIT THERE BETWEEN
Abstract
A light guide module is provided. The light guide module
includes a first light guide unit, a second light guide unit and an
elastic unit. The elastic unit is disposed between the first light
guide unit and the second light guide unit. One side of the elastic
unit is connected to the first light guide unit, and the other side
of the elastic unit is connected to the second light guide unit. In
an initial state, a first distance is formed between the first
light guide unit and the second light guide unit. In an extended
state, the elastic unit is elastically deformed, and a second
distance is formed between the first light guide unit and the
second light guide unit.
Inventors: |
TSAI; Chi-Wen; (Hsinchu,
TW) ; LIN; Che-Min; (Hsinchu, TW) ; HO;
Shin-Jie; (Hsinchu, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wistron NeWeb Corp. |
Hsinchu |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005736012 |
Appl. No.: |
17/026588 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/0078 20130101;
G02B 6/0088 20130101; F21V 17/00 20130101; F21V 11/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F21V 8/00 20060101
F21V008/00; F21V 11/08 20060101 F21V011/08; F21V 17/00 20060101
F21V017/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 7, 2020 |
TW |
109103802 |
Claims
1. A light guide module, comprising: a first light guide unit; a
second light guide unit; an elastic unit, disposed between the
first light guide unit and the second light guide unit, wherein one
side of the elastic unit is connected to the first light guide
unit, and the other side of the elastic unit is connected to the
second light guide unit, wherein in an initial state, a first
distance is formed between the first light guide unit and the
second light guide unit, and in an extended state, the elastic unit
is elastically deformed, and a second distance is formed between
the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit wherein
the first light guide unit comprises a first unit base and a first
light guide post, the second light guide unit comprises a second
unit base and a second light guide post, the first light guide post
is connected to the first unit base, the second light guide post is
connected to the second unit base, one side of the elastic unit is
connected to the first unit base, and the other side of the elastic
unit is connected to the second unit base, wherein the first light
guide post comprises a first section and a second section, and the
first section and the second section protrude from opposite
surfaces of the first unit base.
2. The light guide module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first
light guide unit, the second light guide unit and the elastic unit
are integrally formed.
3. (canceled)
4. The light guide module as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the
initial state, the first light guide post is naturally parallel to
the second light guide post, and in the extended state, the first
light guide post is naturally parallel to the second light guide
post.
5. The light guide module as claimed in claim 1, wherein in the
initial state, the first unit base, the second unit base and the
elastic unit are located on the same plane, and in the extended
state, the first unit base, the second unit base and the elastic
unit are also located on the same plane.
6. The light guide module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
elastic unit comprises a first elastic arm and a second elastic
arm, the first elastic arm faces the second elastic arm, one end of
the first elastic arm is connected to the first unit base, the
other end of the first elastic arm is connected to the second unit
base, one end of the second elastic arm is connected to the first
unit base, and the other end of the second elastic arm is connected
to the second unit base.
7. The light guide module as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first
elastic arm and the second elastic arm are U-shaped.
8. The light guide module as claimed in claim 7, wherein in the
initial state, the first distance is formed between the first light
guide unit and the second light guide unit in the first direction,
and in the extended state, the second distance is formed between
the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit in the
first direction, the first elastic arm has an elastic arm length in
a second direction, a third distance is formed between the first
elastic arm and the second elastic arm in the second direction, and
in the initial state, a ratio of the elastic arm length to the
third distance is greater than 0.9, and the first direction is
perpendicular to the second direction.
9. An electronic device, comprising: a housing, comprising a first
housing opening and a second housing opening; a circuit board,
comprising a first light source and a second light source, wherein
the first light source provides a first light, and the second light
source provides a second light; and a light guide module,
comprising: a first light guide unit, corresponding to the first
light source and the first housing opening, wherein the first light
guide unit guides the first light, and the first light passes
through the first housing opening; a second light guide unit,
corresponding to the second light source and the second housing
opening, wherein the second light guide unit guides the second
light, and the second light passes through the second housing
opening; a first elastic unit, disposed between the first light
guide unit and the second light guide unit, wherein one side of the
first elastic unit is connected to the first light guide unit, and
the other side of the first elastic unit is connected to the second
light guide unit, wherein in an initial state, a first distance is
formed between the first light guide unit and the second light
guide unit, and in an extended state, the first elastic unit is
elastically deformed, and a second distance is formed between the
first light guide unit and the second light guide unit.
10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first
light guide unit comprises a first unit base and a first light
guide post, the second light guide unit comprises a second unit
base and a second light guide post, the first light guide post is
connected to the first unit base, the second light guide post is
connected to the second unit base, one side of the first elastic
unit is connected to the first unit base, the other side of the
first elastic unit is connected to the second unit base, the first
light guide post corresponds to the first light source and the
first housing opening, and the second light guide post corresponds
to the second light source and the second housing opening.
11. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, further
comprising a shade, wherein the shade comprises a first shade
opening and a second shade opening, the first light guide post is
inserted into the first shade opening, and the second light guide
post is inserted into the second shade opening.
12. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the shade
is located between the first unit base and the first housing
opening.
13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the light
guide module is restricted on the shade, and the shade is affixed
to the housing.
14. The electronic device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the
housing comprises a plurality of latches, the shade comprises a
plurality of shade positioning holes, the first unit base and the
second unit base comprises a plurality of base positioning holes,
and each latch passes through one of the shade positioning holes
and one of the base positioning holes.
15. The electronic device as claimed in claim 11, further
comprising a shielding frame, wherein the shielding frame comprises
a first frame grid and a second frame grid, the first light guide
post extends in the first frame grid, the second light guide post
extends in the second frame grid, and at least a portion of the
light guide module is sandwiched between the shielding frame and
the shade.
16. The electronic device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first
light guide post comprises a first section and a second section,
the first section and the second section are formed on opposite
surfaces of the first unit base, the first section is inserted into
the first shade opening, and the second section extends in the
first frame grid.
17. The electronic device as claimed in claim 10, wherein in the
initial state, the first distance is formed between the first light
guide unit and the second light guide unit in a first direction,
and in the extended state, the second distance is formed between
the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit in the
first direction, the light guide module further comprises a second
elastic unit, and in a second direction, a size of the second
elastic unit is smaller than a size of the first elastic unit.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority of Taiwan Patent
Application No. 109103802, filed on Feb. 7, 2020, the entirety of
which is incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a light guide module, and
in particular to a light guide module capable of adjusting the
distance between the light guide posts.
Description of the Related Art
[0003] The conventional electronic device has a housing, a light
guide module and a plurality of light sources. The housing has a
plurality of light output holes. The light guide module corresponds
to the light output holes to guide the light provided by the light
sources to the light output holes. Conventionally, manufacturing
differences may occur on the light output holes, the light guide
module and the light sources. The light provide by the light
sources cannot be sufficiently guided to the light output holes.
There are therefore problems with the conventional design such as
light mixing and insufficient light output.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Embodiments of the invention are provided to address the
aforementioned difficulty.
[0005] In one embodiment, a light guide module is provided. The
light guide module includes a first light guide unit, a second
light guide unit and an elastic unit. The elastic unit is disposed
between the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit.
One side of the elastic unit is connected to the first light guide
unit, and the other side of the elastic unit is connected to the
second light guide unit. In an initial state, a first distance is
formed between the first light guide unit and the second light
guide unit. In an extended state, the elastic unit is elastically
deformed, and a second distance is formed between the first light
guide unit and the second light guide unit.
[0006] In another embodiment, an electronic device is provided. The
electronic device includes a housing, a circuit board and a light
guide module. The housing includes a first housing opening and a
second housing opening. The circuit board includes a first light
source and a second light source, wherein the first light source
provides a first light, and the second light source provides a
second light. The light guide module includes a first light guide
unit, a second light guide unit and a first elastic unit. The first
light guide unit corresponds to the first light source and the
first housing opening, wherein the first light guide unit guides
the first light, and the first light passes through the first
housing opening. The second light guide unit corresponds to the
second light source and the second housing opening, wherein the
second light guide unit guides the second light, and the second
light passes through the second housing opening. The first elastic
unit is disposed between the first light guide unit and the second
light guide unit, wherein one side of the first elastic unit is
connected to the first light guide unit, and the other side of the
first elastic unit is connected to the second light guide unit. In
an initial state, a first distance is formed between the first
light guide unit and the second light guide unit, and in an
extended state, the first elastic unit is elastically deformed, and
a second distance is formed between the first light guide unit and
the second light guide unit.
[0007] In the light guide module of the embodiment of the
invention, an elastic unit is utilized to adjust the distance
between the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit.
Therefore, even though the housings have manufacturing differences,
the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit can be
made to correspond sufficiently to the first housing opening and
the second housing opening. Conventional problems such as light
mixing and insufficient light output can be prevented.
[0008] A detailed description is given in the following embodiments
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present invention can be more fully understood by
reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with
references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0010] FIG. 1A is a front view of a light guide module of the
embodiment of the invention, wherein the light guide module is in
an initial state;
[0011] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the light guide module of
the embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 1C is a front view of the light guide module of the
embodiment of the invention, wherein the light guide module is in
an extended state;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an electronic device E of an embodiment of the
invention; and
[0014] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show the assembling process of the
electronic device of the embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The following description is of the best-contemplated mode
of carrying out the invention. This description is made for the
purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and
should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention
is best determined by reference to the appended claims.
[0016] FIG. 1A is a front view of a light guide module of the
embodiment of the invention, wherein the light guide module is in
an initial state. FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the light guide
module of the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1C is a front view
of the light guide module of the embodiment of the invention,
wherein the light guide module is in an extended state. With
reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, the light guide module 1 of the
embodiment of the invention includes a first light guide unit 11, a
second light guide unit 12 and an elastic unit (first elastic unit)
13. The elastic unit 13 is disposed between the first light guide
unit 11 and the second light guide unit 12. One side of the elastic
unit 13 is connected to the first light guide unit 11, and the
other side of the elastic unit 13 is connected to the second light
guide unit 12. In an initial state, a first distance d1 is formed
between the first light guide unit 11 and the second light guide
unit 12 (FIG. 1A). In an extended state, the elastic unit 13 is
elastically deformed, and a second distance d2 is formed between
the first light guide unit 11 and the second light guide unit 12
(FIG. 1C).
[0017] With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C, in one embodiment,
the first light guide unit 11, the second light guide unit 12 and
the elastic unit 13 are integrally formed. In one embodiment, the
first light guide unit 11 comprises a first unit base 111 and a
first light guide post 112. The second light guide unit 12
comprises a second unit base 121 and a second light guide post 122.
The first light guide post 112 is connected to the first unit base
111. The second light guide post 122 is connected to the second
unit base 121. One side of the elastic unit 13 is connected to the
first unit base 111, and the other side of the elastic unit 13 is
connected to the second unit base 121.
[0018] With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1C, in one embodiment, in the
initial state, the first light guide post 112 is naturally parallel
to the second light guide post 122 (FIG. 1A). In the extended
state, the first light guide post 112 is also naturally parallel to
the second light guide post 122 (FIG. 1C). In other words, in the
extended state, the light guide module 1 is not twisted in
extension.
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1C, in one embodiment, in the
initial state, the first unit base 111, the second unit base 121
and the elastic unit 13 are located on the same plane (FIG. 1A). In
the extended state, the first unit base 111, the second unit base
121 and the elastic unit 13 are also located on the same plane
(FIG. 1C). In other words, in the extended state, the light guide
module 1 is not twisted in extension.
[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1C, in one embodiment, the
elastic unit 13 comprises a first elastic arm 131 and a second
elastic arm 132. The first elastic arm 131 faces the second elastic
arm 132. One end of the first elastic arm 131 is connected to the
first unit base 111. The other end of the first elastic arm 131 is
connected to the second unit base 121. One end of the second
elastic arm 132 is connected to the first unit base 111, and the
other end of the second elastic arm 132 is connected to the second
unit base 121.
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1A and 1C, in one embodiment, the
first elastic arm 131 and the second elastic arm 132 are U-shaped.
In one embodiment, in the initial state, the first distance d1 is
formed between the first light guide unit 11 and the second light
guide unit 12 in the first direction X. In the extended state, the
second distance d2 is formed between the first light guide unit 11
and the second light guide unit 12 in the first direction X. The
first elastic arm 131 has an elastic arm length L in a second
direction Y. A third distance d3 is formed between the first
elastic arm 131 and the second elastic arm 132 in the second
direction Y. In the initial state, the ratio of the elastic arm
length L to the third distance d3 is greater than 0.9. The first
direction X is perpendicular to the second direction Y. With the
above ratio of elastic arm length L to third distance d3, the
elastic unit 13 provides sufficient elasticity.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows an electronic device E of an embodiment of the
invention. The electronic device E includes a housing 2, a circuit
board 3 and the light guide module 1. The housing 2 includes a
first housing opening 211 and a second housing opening 212. The
circuit board 3 includes a first light source 311 and a second
light source 312. The first light source 311 provides a first
light, and the second light source 312 provides a second light. The
light guide module 1 includes a first light guide unit 11, a second
light guide unit 12 and a first elastic unit 13. The first light
guide unit 11 corresponds to the first light source 311 and the
first housing opening 211. The first light guide unit 11 guides the
first light, and the first light passes through the first housing
opening 211. The second light guide unit 12 corresponds to the
second light source 312 and the second housing opening 212. The
second light guide unit 12 guides the second light, and the second
light passes through the second housing opening 212. The first
elastic unit 13 is disposed between the first light guide unit 11
and the second light guide unit 12.
[0023] In one embodiment, the first light guide post 112
corresponds to the first light source 311 and the first housing
opening 211, and the second light guide post 122 corresponds to the
second light source 312 and the second housing opening 212.
[0024] With reference to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the electronic
device E further comprises a shade 4, wherein the shade 4 comprises
a first shade opening 411 and a second shade opening 412. The first
light guide post 112 is inserted into the first shade opening 411.
The second light guide post 122 is inserted into the second shade
opening 412. In one embodiment, the shade 4 is located between the
first unit base 111 and the first housing opening 211.
[0025] FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D show the assembling process of the
electronic device of the embodiment of the invention. With
reference to FIGS. 2, 3A, 3B and 3C, in one embodiment, the housing
2 comprises a plurality of latches 22, and the shade 4 comprises a
plurality of shade positioning holes 42. The first unit base 111
and the second unit base 121 comprises a plurality of base
positioning holes 14, and each latch 22 passes through one of the
shade positioning holes 42 and one of the base positioning holes
14.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 3B and 3C, in one embodiment, the
light guide module 1 is restricted on the shade 4, and the shade 4
is affixed to the housing 2. The shade 4 comprises a first rib 431,
and the first rib 431 abuts the first elastic unit 13 to restrict
the position of the light guide module 1. The shade 4 prevents the
first light from being mixed with the second light.
[0027] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3D, in one embodiment, the
electronic device further comprises a shielding frame 5. The
shielding frame 5 comprises a first frame grid 51 and a second
frame grid 52. The first light guide post 112 extends in the first
frame grid 51. The second light guide post 122 extends in the
second frame grid 52. At least a portion of the light guide module
1 is sandwiched between the shielding frame 5 and the shade 4. The
shielding frame 5 prevents the first light from being mixed with
the second light.
[0028] With reference to FIGS. 1A and 3C, in one embodiment, the
light guide module further comprises a second elastic unit 15. In a
second direction Y, the second elastic unit 15 is smaller than the
first elastic unit 13. Therefore, incorrect assembly of the light
guide module 1 can be prevented. In one embodiment, the shade 4 and
the second rib 432 abut the second elastic unit 15 to restrict the
position of the light guide module 1.
[0029] With reference to FIGS. 1B, 2 and 3D, in one embodiment, the
first light guide post 112 comprises a first section 112A and a
second section 112B. The first section 112A and the second section
112B are formed on opposite surfaces of the first unit base 111.
The first section 112A is inserted into the first shade opening
411, and the second section 112B extends in the first frame grid
51.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3C, in one embodiment,
the circuit board 3 further comprises a plurality of third light
sources 313. The light module 1 comprises a third light guide unit
16. A third light guide post 162 of the third light guide unit 16
corresponds to the third light sources 313. The third light guide
post 162 comprises a third section 162A and a fourth section 162B.
The diameter of the third second 162A is smaller than the diameter
of the fourth section 162B. The fourth section 162B can
sufficiently corresponds to the third light sources 131.
[0031] With reference to FIGS. 1C, 3B and 3C, in one embodiment,
the light guide module further comprises a third elastic unit 17.
The shade 4 comprises a third rib 733. The third rib 433 abuts the
third elastic unit 17 to restrict the position of the light guide
module 1, and to prevent incorrect assembly of the light guide
module 1. In one embodiment, a circular hole 171 is formed on the
third elastic unit 17. The third rib 433 comprises a circular
protrusion 433A, and the circular protrusion 433A matches the
circular hole 171.
[0032] In the light guide module of the embodiment of the
invention, the elastic unit is utilized to adjust the distance
between the first light guide unit and the second light guide unit.
Therefore, even though housings are manufactured differently, the
first light guide unit and the second light guide unit can be made
to correspond sufficiently to the first housing opening and the
second housing opening. Conventional problems such as light mixing
and insufficient light output can be prevented.
[0033] Use of ordinal terms such as "first", "second", "third",
etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself
connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element
over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are
performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim
element having a certain name from another element having the same
name (but for use of the ordinal term).
[0034] While the invention has been described by way of example and
in terms of the preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the
contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar
arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art).
Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the
broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications
and similar arrangements.
* * * * *