WO2002027697A2 - Light pipe apparatus - Google Patents
Light pipe apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2002027697A2 WO2002027697A2 PCT/US2001/031041 US0131041W WO0227697A2 WO 2002027697 A2 WO2002027697 A2 WO 2002027697A2 US 0131041 W US0131041 W US 0131041W WO 0227697 A2 WO0227697 A2 WO 0227697A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- light
- circuit board
- printed circuit
- base
- light pipes
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G09—EDUCATION; CRYPTOGRAPHY; DISPLAY; ADVERTISING; SEALS
- G09F—DISPLAYING; ADVERTISING; SIGNS; LABELS OR NAME-PLATES; SEALS
- G09F9/00—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements
- G09F9/30—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements
- G09F9/305—Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the desired character or characters are formed by combining individual elements being the ends of optical fibres
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to indicators for determining the operational status of electronic equipment and more specifically to the transmission of light as an indicator of operational status.
- LEDs light emitting diodes
- the printed circuit board typically may be positioned within a housing and on a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane on which a housing display surface is located.
- the LEDs sometimes are mounted on a separate, smaller circuit board and a wiring bundle electrically connects the LEDs to components on the main circuit board.
- the smaller LED circuit board can then be located adjacent the housing display surface and in a selected orientation so that an optical signal emitted from the LEDs can be more easily viewed.
- adding a separate LED circuit board and a wiring bundle leads to additional costs and complexity.
- a light pipe can be used to transmit an optical signal from an LED mounted on the main circuit board.
- One know light pipe includes multiple light passageways so that if multiple LEDs are required, optical signals from each LED can be transmitted through a respective passageway of the light pipe.
- such light pipe includes reflecting surfaces for re-directing light into the appropriate passageway. Requiring such reflecting surfaces increases the complexity of the shape of the light pipe.
- the present invention is directed to a light pipe apparatus that includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a base having a circuit board mounting portion configured to be mounted on a printed circuit board and a support.
- the support includes an indicator surface.
- each light pipe extends from the circuit board mounting portion to the support. More specifically, each light pipe has one end located within an opening in the circuit board mounting portion and aligned with a respective LED, and one end located within an opening in the support and associated with a respective indicator, or legend, on the indicator surface.
- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a light pipe apparatus
- Figure 2 is a cross-section view through the circuit board mounting portion of the base
- Figure 3 is illustrates an exemplary legend
- Figure 4 is a side view of one set of light pipes
- Figure 5 is a bottom view of the light pipe shown in Figure 1;
- Figure 6 is a side view of a light pipe.
- FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a light pipe apparatus 10 including a base 12 and a plurality of light pipes 14.
- light pipes 14 are formed in a molded set.
- Each light pipe 14 includes one or more stops 16 which serve to stop a first end of each light pipe 14 at a proper mechanical position relative to base 12.
- Base 12 is, in one embodiment, molded as one piece and includes a support 18.
- Support 18 includes an indicator surface 20 and clips 22 for detaining an legend (described below).
- Support 18 also includes light pipe openings 24 into which a second end of light pipes 14 are inserted when mounted in base 12.
- a single pipe opening 25, described below in further detail is also included in support 18.
- Base 12 further includes, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1, a printed circuit board mating, or mounting, portion 26, an end 28 and a plurality of openings (not shown) passing through portion 26 from a top surface 30 to a bottom surface 32.
- the first ends of light pipes 14 are inserted into top surface 30 when mounted onto base 12.
- Bottom 32 of printed circuit board mating portion 26 further includes a plurality of mounting guides 34 used when mounting apparatus 10 onto a circuit board (not shown).
- Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of circuit board mounting portion 26 of base 12 (shown in Figure 1), and shows openings 40 including upper portions 42 and lower portions 44.
- Upper portion 42 of openings 40 are configured to slidably engage the first ends of light pipes 14 (shown in Figure 1).
- Bottom portions 44 of openings 40 are configured to allow circuit board mounting portion 26 to fit over, or be positioned adjacent to, surface mounted LEDs (not shown) on a printed circuit board (not shown).
- Mounting guides 34 extend from bottom surface 32.
- Figure 3 is one embodiment of an legend 50.
- Legend 50 includes a plurality of slots 52 through which clips 22 (shown in Figure 1) extend to maintain legend 50 adjacent to indicator surface 20 (shown in Figure 1).
- legend 50 is fabricated from a material having a black matte finish except for letters and numbers which are clear. Light transmitted through one of respective light pipes 14 and to the second end of that light pipe 14 illuminates the corresponding alphanumeric character on legend 50.
- Figure 4 is a side view of light pipes 14 which, in the exemplary embodiment, are connected by a plurality of molded links 60. Molded links 60 maintain light pipes 14 in fixed relation to each other so that light pipes 14 can be inserted as one single unit into base 12.
- light pipes 14 together with molded links 60 are molded from a clear plastic material, for example, Lexan® plastic.
- Lexan is a registered trademark of General Electric Company.
- FIG. 5 is a bottom isometric view of light pipe apparatus 10 including base 12 and light pipes 14.
- Base 12 is configured for two sets of multiple light pipes 14.
- Base 12 can be configured for any number of light pipes and light pipe sets.
- Apparatus 10 also includes a light pipe 70 which functions similar to light pipes 14, but is a single standalone light pipe, and not connected to other light pipes with molded links (described above).
- Pipe 70 is adjacent to an opening 72 similar to openings 40 described above, but light enters single pipe 70 from a side 74 of opening
- Figure 6 is a side view of pipe 70 which includes a first end 82 which accepts light from, for example, an LED inside of opening 72 (shown in Figure 5).
- Single pipe 70 also includes a second end 84 which transmits light through a single pipe opening 25 in base 12 (both shown in Figure 1).
- a retention tab 86 is molded onto single pipe 70 and is configured to engage a similarly shaped opening in base 12 to retain single pipe 70 position.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
- Fastening Of Light Sources Or Lamp Holders (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2002531397A JP2004510207A (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-09-27 | Fiber optic equipment |
EP01977454A EP1320845A2 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-09-27 | Light pipe apparatus |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US67708800A | 2000-09-29 | 2000-09-29 | |
US09/677,088 | 2000-09-29 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2002027697A2 true WO2002027697A2 (en) | 2002-04-04 |
WO2002027697A3 WO2002027697A3 (en) | 2003-04-10 |
Family
ID=24717267
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2001/031041 WO2002027697A2 (en) | 2000-09-29 | 2001-09-27 | Light pipe apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1320845A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2004510207A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1440548A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2002027697A2 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10333316A1 (en) * | 2003-07-22 | 2005-02-10 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Optical fiber component for optical multi-segment displays |
US20150155606A1 (en) * | 2012-06-08 | 2015-06-04 | Dyson Technology Limited | Vacuum cleaner and a battery pack therefor |
WO2015199812A1 (en) * | 2014-06-23 | 2015-12-30 | Arris Enterprises, Inc. | Light guide with integrated icon |
EP3518020A1 (en) * | 2018-01-30 | 2019-07-31 | InterDigital CE Patent Holdings | Light pipe assembly |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4106231A (en) * | 1976-12-06 | 1978-08-15 | Master Specialties Company | Low level light indicator |
US4555694A (en) * | 1981-06-03 | 1985-11-26 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Display device for a vehicle |
EP0600158A1 (en) * | 1992-12-01 | 1994-06-08 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Light transmission apparatus for electro-optically coupling to a display panel for an electronic instrument |
US5481440A (en) * | 1993-12-27 | 1996-01-02 | At&T Corp. | Circuit pack with light pipes |
US5938324A (en) * | 1996-10-07 | 1999-08-17 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Light pipe |
US6095851A (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 2000-08-01 | Xircom, Inc. | Status indicator for electronic device |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPH1124608A (en) * | 1997-07-01 | 1999-01-29 | Yokogawa Electric Corp | Led display device |
-
2001
- 2001-09-27 WO PCT/US2001/031041 patent/WO2002027697A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2001-09-27 JP JP2002531397A patent/JP2004510207A/en active Pending
- 2001-09-27 CN CN 01802970 patent/CN1440548A/en active Pending
- 2001-09-27 EP EP01977454A patent/EP1320845A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4106231A (en) * | 1976-12-06 | 1978-08-15 | Master Specialties Company | Low level light indicator |
US4555694A (en) * | 1981-06-03 | 1985-11-26 | Nissan Motor Company, Limited | Display device for a vehicle |
EP0600158A1 (en) * | 1992-12-01 | 1994-06-08 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Light transmission apparatus for electro-optically coupling to a display panel for an electronic instrument |
US5481440A (en) * | 1993-12-27 | 1996-01-02 | At&T Corp. | Circuit pack with light pipes |
US5938324A (en) * | 1996-10-07 | 1999-08-17 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Light pipe |
US6095851A (en) * | 1997-11-17 | 2000-08-01 | Xircom, Inc. | Status indicator for electronic device |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 1999, no. 04, 30 April 1999 (1999-04-30) & JP 11 024608 A (YOKOGAWA ELECTRIC CORP), 29 January 1999 (1999-01-29) * |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
DE10333316A1 (en) * | 2003-07-22 | 2005-02-10 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Optical fiber component for optical multi-segment displays |
US20150155606A1 (en) * | 2012-06-08 | 2015-06-04 | Dyson Technology Limited | Vacuum cleaner and a battery pack therefor |
US10297878B2 (en) * | 2012-06-08 | 2019-05-21 | Dyson Technology Limited | Vacuum cleaner and a battery pack therefor |
WO2015199812A1 (en) * | 2014-06-23 | 2015-12-30 | Arris Enterprises, Inc. | Light guide with integrated icon |
GB2529949A (en) * | 2014-06-23 | 2016-03-09 | Arris Entpr Inc | Light guide with integrated icon |
EP3518020A1 (en) * | 2018-01-30 | 2019-07-31 | InterDigital CE Patent Holdings | Light pipe assembly |
US10725235B2 (en) | 2018-01-30 | 2020-07-28 | Interdigital Ce Patent Holdings | Light pipe assembly |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP1320845A2 (en) | 2003-06-25 |
JP2004510207A (en) | 2004-04-02 |
CN1440548A (en) | 2003-09-03 |
WO2002027697A3 (en) | 2003-04-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US5349504A (en) | Multi-level lightpipe design for SMD LEDs | |
US5327328A (en) | Lightpipe and lightpipe array for redirecting light from a surface mount led | |
US5924890A (en) | Electrical connector having a virtual indicator | |
EP0740370B1 (en) | Electrical connector with indicator lights | |
US5988842A (en) | Apparatus for showing light at a distance from a light source | |
KR100354287B1 (en) | Electrical connector assembly with light transmission means | |
EP0600158B1 (en) | Light transmission apparatus for electro-optically coupling to a display panel for an electronic instrument | |
KR970001464B1 (en) | Valve arrangment | |
EP1116306B1 (en) | Status indicator for electronic device | |
US6463204B1 (en) | Modular lightpipe system | |
WO1998009347A1 (en) | Electrical connector having a light indicator | |
US20080090451A1 (en) | Apparatus and method for integrating an indicator light in a connector assembly | |
US9083123B2 (en) | Visually evident connection system for plug-in power/data cable | |
US7143467B2 (en) | Vacuum cleaner with light guiding element | |
US7329034B2 (en) | Multi-level surface mounted lightpipe package design with LED light sources | |
US8438987B2 (en) | Operating device having a bundle of light guides | |
AU2020260521A1 (en) | Chassis connector | |
US8187024B2 (en) | Connector assembly with a light indicative of a connector status | |
WO2002027697A2 (en) | Light pipe apparatus | |
EP0644373A3 (en) | Electrical apparatus. | |
US7352950B2 (en) | Lightpipe with multiple projections | |
KR101477450B1 (en) | LED Lighting Unit | |
GB2464963A (en) | A display comprising cranked light guides | |
CN215838427U (en) | Display device and electric cooker | |
KR0174407B1 (en) | Optical signal interconnection on printed circuit boards |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AK | Designated states |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): CN JP |
|
AL | Designated countries for regional patents |
Kind code of ref document: A2 Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase in: |
Ref country code: JP Ref document number: 2002 531397 Kind code of ref document: A Format of ref document f/p: F |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2001977454 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 018029701 Country of ref document: CN |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application | ||
WWP | Wipo information: published in national office |
Ref document number: 2001977454 Country of ref document: EP |
|
WWW | Wipo information: withdrawn in national office |
Ref document number: 2001977454 Country of ref document: EP |