Patent Publication Number: US-2013242474-A1

Title: Electronic device with indicator lamp

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to an electronic device with an indicator lamp which can prevent light emitted by the indicator lamp from leaking through a gap formed between an upper housing and a lower housing. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Electronic devices, such as disc players and notebooks computers, always include several indicator lamps for indicating a state (e.g., power on state). A small gap may be formed between an upper housing and a lower housing of the electronic device because of an engagement tolerance. Light emitted by the indicator lamps may leak out through the small gap, which would adversely affect the appearance of the electronic device. Thus, a new type of electronic device which can prevent light from leaking through the gap between the upper housing and the lower housing is needed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a partial, isometric view of an electronic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a partial, isometric view of a cover of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a partial, isometric view of a base of the electronic device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device, cut along line IV-IV of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an electronic device  1  according to an exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The electronic device  1  includes a cover  10 , a base  20 , and a circuit board  50 . The cover  10  and the base  20  cooperatively define a receiving space  60  therebetween, and the circuit board  50  is accommodated in the receiving space  60 . 
     The cover  10  includes a top portion  14 , a first sidewall  11  protruding from the top portion  14 , a positioning plate  12 , and two pairs of flexible hooks  13  protrude from an inner surface of the top portion  14 . The first sidewall  11  defines two through holes  110  and includes a first edge  112  facing the base  20 . The positioning plate  12  is substantially perpendicular to the first edge  112 . The first edge  112  further defines a first notch  114 , and the positioning plate  12  defines a second notch  120  substantially aligned with the first notch  114 . 
     The base  20  includes a bottom portion  25 , a the second sidewall  21  protruding from the bottom portion  25 , and two blocking tabs  23  protruding from an inner side of the second sidewall  21 . The second sidewall  21  includes a second edge  22  substantially parallel to the first edge  112 . The blocking tab  23  includes a substantially horizontal top surface  24  raised relative to the second edge  22 . A thickness L 1  of the blocking tabs  23  is equal to a width L 2  of the first notch  114  and the second notch  120 . When the cover  10  is coupled to the base  20  and the first edge  112  contacts the second edge  22 , a tiny gap A (shown in  FIG. 4 ) is formed between the first edge  112  and the second edge  22  because of an engagement tolerance therebetween. 
     The indicator lamps  30  are mounted on the circuit board  50 . In the embodiment, the indicator lamp  30  is a light emitting diode. 
     Referring also to  FIG. 4 , each light guide member  40  includes a main body  41  and two positioning blocks  42  protruding from opposite sides of the main body  41 . The main body  41  is made of light pervious material. When attempting to couple the light guide member  40  to the cover  10 , the two flexible hooks  13  are deflected away from each other, such that the light guide member  40  can be inserted into the first notch  114  and the second notch  120  of the base  20 . The flexible hooks  13  are then released and engage the two positioning blocks  42 , thereby holding the light guide member  40  in position. The main body  41  includes a first end surface  410  facing the indicator lamps  30 , a second end surface  412  located within the first through hole  110  and facing an outside of the cover  10 , and a third end surface  414  coming into tight contact with the top surface  24  of the base  20 . In the embodiment, the first end surface  410  is a recessed arc-shaped surface. Light emitted from the indicator lamps  30  are refracted into the first end surface  410  and can be transmitted to the second side surface  410  and the third side surface  414 . 
     The blocking tab  23  is inserted into the first notch  114  and the second notch  120  of the cover  10 , and the top surface  24  is in tight contact with the third end surface  414  of the light guide member  40 , thereby preventing light from leaking out through the gap A formed between the cover  10  and the base  20 . 
     While various embodiments have been described and illustrated, the disclosure is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments by those skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the appended claims.