Animatable Cascade Light Guide for Dynamic Vehicle Illumination
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle light systems face challenges in achieving dynamic and homogeneous illumination while maintaining a compact design, as conventional solutions require extensive circuit boards and inhomogeneous light distributions, limiting their ability to be animated meaningfully.
Innovation Solution
A light guide with a central decoupling light guide flanked by parallel feed light guides, where each feed light guide has multiple light sources at its ends, allowing for segmental illumination and full illumination by controlling light sources at the ends of the feed and decoupling light guides, reducing installation space and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional light guide systems with multiple light sources are used to achieve dynamic illumination, then the light function can be animated, but the device complexity and installation space increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple segments or zones along its length, with each segment capable of being illuminated independently by controlling light sources at specific positions. This segmentation allows dynamic illumination patterns while using a limited number of light sources, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear arrangement of light sources to a two-dimensional configuration where light sources are positioned at the ends of feed light guides that extend perpendicular to the main light guide axis. This dimensional change enables more efficient light distribution and dynamic control with fewer sources.
2Ease of operation
If conventional light guide systems are used to achieve homogeneous illumination, then the light distribution is uniform, but the installation space and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Feed light guides act as intermediary optical elements that transfer light from compact light sources positioned at their ends to the main light guide. These intermediaries enable homogeneous illumination of the light guide while maintaining a compact overall structure by distributing light efficiently through the feed guides before entering the main guide.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are positioned along the entire light guide to enable segmental illumination, then dynamic animation is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Light sources positioned at the ends of feed light guides serve multiple functions: they illuminate specific segments of the light guide, contribute to overall homogeneous illumination, and can be controlled independently for dynamic patterns. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of light sources needed compared to having individual sources for each segment.
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
This configuration enables dynamic, homogeneous light functions with reduced installation space and simpler structures, enhancing traffic safety and aesthetic appeal by providing efficient and compact segmental illumination.
Implementation Method 1
The feed light guide and/or the decoupling light guide have a decoupling structure in that the light exit surface of the decoupling light guide is illuminated in segments depending on which feed light guide light is coupled into from which feed light guide light coupling surface
Data Source
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AI summary
A light guide (01), a light source (100) with such a light guide (01), a vehicle light (1000) with a corresponding light source (100) and a method for dynamic, segment-wise illumination of a light emission surface (21) of a light guide (01) are described, which comprises a central output light guide (02) with the light emission surface (21) and with at least one first light source (LQ 4, LQ 4.1), which is flanked by at least two feed light guides (03) each with two opposite ends and at least one further light source (LQ 1, LQ 2, LQ 3, LQ 3.1) at each end (30) of each feed light guide (03). The light emission surface (21) is divided into a number of individually illuminated sections (B1, B2, B3, B3.1, B4, B4.1), from which light is emitted at the ends (30, 20) of the supply light guide (03) and the output light guide (02), depending on the operation of the light sources (LQ 1, LQ 2, LQ 3, LQ 3.1, LQ 4, LQ 4.1).The method involves first illuminating a section (B1) of the initially dark optical fiber (01) by switching on a light source (LQ 1) at one end (30) of a feed optical fiber (03), then gradually increasing the luminous area of the light-emitting surface (21) starting from the illuminating section (B1) by illuminating the sections (B2, B3, B3.1) assigned to the light sources (LQ 2, LQ 3, LQ 3.1) at the remaining ends (30) of the feed optical fiber (03), and finally illuminating the entire illuminating surface (21) by switching on at least one first light source (LQ 4, LQ 4.1) of the central output optical fiber (02).