Light guide for electronic device, such as oral irrigator
In one embodiment, a light guide includes an emitter and a light guide body optically coupled to the emitter. The light guide body may define a cylindrical body that tapers along an angled plane from a top end towards a bottom end. The bottom end may define a light entrance to the light guide body.
1 . A light guide comprising:
an emitter; and
a light guide body optically coupled to the emitter, wherein the light guide body defines a cylindrical body with one or more sidewalls, wherein the cylindrical body taper along an angled plane from a top end towards a bottom end, the bottom end defining a light entrance to the light guide body, the light guide body further comprising a distribution cutout defining an opening entirely through the one or more sidewalls of the light guide body.
2 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein the angled plane is selected such that the light guide body directs light from a first side of the light guide body towards a second side of the light guide body opposite of the first side, wherein the light entrance is on the first side of the light guide.
3 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein the distribution cutout comprises a tapered end facing the light entrance, the tapered end is configured to split light emitted from a light source entering the light entrance into a first light portion and a second light portion.
4 . The light guide of claim 3 , wherein the first light portion and the second light portion are equal to one another.
5 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein the distribution cutout comprises a plurality of distribution cutouts defined by the light guide body, wherein the plurality of distribution cutouts create emission regions within the light guide body that are smaller closer to the light entrance and that are larger farther from the light entrance.
6 . The light guide of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of distribution cutouts comprise:
a first set of distribution cutouts having a first size and defining a first emission region; and
a second set of distribution cutouts having a second size and defining a second emission region, wherein
the first size is larger than the second size; and
the second set of distribution cutouts is positioned closer to the light entrance than the first set of distribution cutouts.
7 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein:
the emitter comprises a first texture on an outer surface; and
the light guide body comprises a second texture on an outer surface, the second texture being different from the first texture.
8 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein the one or more sidewalls of the light guide body are curved to define a hollow internal space extending along the entire length of the light guide body, wherein light from the emitter travels through the one or more sidewalls of the light guide body as it extends from the bottom end to the top end.
9 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein the light guide body is formed of transmissive plastic.
10 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein the cylindrical body and distribution cutout uniformly reflect and distribute light from the light entrance as the light is transmitted to the emitter.
11 . The light guide of claim 1 , wherein the light guide body has a first texture along a first length and a second texture, different from the first texture, along a second length.
12 . The light guide of claim 11 , wherein the first texture is a smooth texture and the first length is a bottom portion of the light guide body and the second texture is a rough texture and the second length is a top portion of the light guide body.
13 . A light guide comprising:
an emitter; and
a light guide body optically coupled to the emitter, wherein the light guide body defines a cylindrical body that tapers along an angled plane from a top end towards a bottom end, the bottom end defining a light entrance to the light guide body, and comprises a plurality of distribution cutouts defined by the light guide body, wherein the plurality of distribution cutouts define emission regions within the light guide body that are smaller closer to the light entrance and that are larger farther from the light entrance.
14 . The light guide of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of distribution cutouts comprise:
a first set of distribution cutouts having a first size and defining a first emission region; and
a second set of distribution cutouts having a second size and defining a second emission region, wherein
the first size is larger than the second size; and
the second set of distribution cutouts is positioned closer to the light entrance than the first set of distribution cutouts.