Angled Light Guide Structure for 3D Vehicle Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting technologies in motor vehicles fail to meet customer requirements for dynamic and three-dimensional luminescent effects while maintaining efficient light distribution and reducing optical crosstalk.

Innovation Solution

An optical component comprising a light guide unit with angled portions separated by ribs, a backplate for light reflection, and a transparent front plate with scattering features, allowing separate control of light emission and reducing optical crosstalk.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If a flat or static light guide unit is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it fails to achieve three-dimensional luminescent effects and dynamic lighting patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethree-dimensional luminescent effectVSAvoidlight guide unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide unit is divided into multiple angled portions (first portion, second portion, etc.) arranged at specific angles to each other. Each portion can be independently controlled by separate light sources, enabling dynamic lighting patterns and three-dimensional luminescent effects while maintaining a modular structure that is relatively easy to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide unit transitions from a flat, two-dimensional structure to a three-dimensional configuration with portions arranged at angles (e.g., 120 degrees) to each other. This dimensional change enables the creation of three-dimensional luminescent effects and dynamic lighting patterns that were not achievable with flat structures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If adjacent parts of the light guide unit are not separated, then the structure is simpler, but light leakage occurs between adjacent parts and dynamic luminescent effects cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoptical crosstalk preventionVSAvoidlight guide unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Ribs are introduced to physically separate adjacent portions of the light guide unit. These ribs prevent light leakage and optical crosstalk between adjacent parts, ensuring that each portion can be independently controlled. The segmentation is achieved through a relatively simple additive structure that does not significantly complicate the overall device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are used for separate control of light guide portions, then dynamic luminescent effects are achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic lighting controlVSAvoidassembly process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light sources are integrated into a single backplate structure, allowing each light source to control a specific portion of the light guide unit. This multi-functional arrangement enables dynamic lighting patterns and separate control of different portions while consolidating the overall structure into a unified assembly that simplifies manufacturing and installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Achieves surface illumination with three-dimensional luminescent effects and improved optical efficiency by preventing light leakage and enabling dynamic, controllable lighting patterns.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide unit configured to receive and guide light emitted by the light source and output the light from the light output surface of the light guide unit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

different parts of the light guide unit are separated by ribs, the different parts are separately controllable and light leakage between adjacent parts is avoided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the optical component further comprises a scattering layer arranged between the light guide unit and the transparent front plate

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentUS20260055869A1Optical component, lighting device, and motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 VALEO VISION SA

AI summary

The present invention relates to an optical component including a light source configured to emit light, a light guide unit configured to receive and guide light emitted by the light source and output the light from the light output surface of the light guide unit, and a backplate configured to provide support for the light guide unit. The light guide unit includes at least a first portion and a second portion, the at least first portion and second portion being arranged at a certain angle to each other. The present invention further provides a lighting device and a motor vehicle.