Annular Light Guide for Uniform Vehicle Badge Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive badges and emblems with annular profiles require uniform backlighting using LEDs, but existing solutions either use expensive OLED technology or complex optics that are visible in the unlit state, and radar systems behind design elements are compromised by surface contaminants like dust and ice, affecting safety.
Innovation Solution
A light guide with an annular base and circumferential flanges or cylinders that facilitate internal reflection and are transparent without visible optics, combined with a fluid distributing assembly for cleaning contaminants using a sensing element and spray nozzles hidden from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If complex lens and reflector arrangements are used to provide uniform luminous intensity, then uniform lighting is achieved, but device complexity increases and optics are visible in the unlit state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the optical diffusing function from separate visible lens/reflector components and integrates it into the transparent radome material itself. The radome is formulated with diffusing particles that provide uniform light distribution without requiring additional visible optical components, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining uniform illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the radome's protective covering function with its light diffusing function into a single integrated component. The transparent radome material combines structural protection with embedded diffusing particles that uniformly scatter LED light, eliminating the need for separate lens and reflector arrangements and keeping optics invisible in the unlit state.
2Illumination intensity
If highly diffusing materials are used to provide uniform lighting, then uniform luminous intensity is achieved, but the appearance becomes milky or hazy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a transparent radome material with specifically formulated embedded diffusing particles. Rather than using bulk highly diffusing materials that create milky appearance, the transparent base material with localized particle distribution provides uniform light scattering while maintaining visual clarity and aesthetic appearance in the unlit state.
3Shape
If radar systems are located behind vehicle design elements for aesthetic purposes, then outer appearance is enhanced, but surface contaminants occlude radar sensors and reduce accuracy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by integrating a cleaning fluid distribution system that automatically cleans the radome surface. The system includes fluid exit elements that spray cleaning fluid onto the radome to remove contaminants, allowing the radar system to maintain accuracy without manual intervention while preserving the aesthetic appearance of the design element.
4Ease of manufacture
If LED light sources are used for backlighting, then cost is reduced compared to OLED, but the directional nature of LEDs creates bright spots and non-uniform lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the transparent radome with embedded diffusing particles as an intermediary between the LED light sources and the external environment. The diffusing particles uniformly scatter the directional LED light throughout the radome volume, transforming the point-source directional illumination into uniform omnidirectional luminous intensity while maintaining LED cost advantages.
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
Provides uniform LED lighting without visible optics and ensures radar system accuracy by cleaning contaminants from the radome surface, enhancing both aesthetic and safety features.
Implementation Method 1
the light guide transitions from the base to the flange or cylinder, sharply with a radius of less than 10% of a height of the flange or cylinder, the sharp transition facilitating internal reflection of light emitted from the light sources
Data Source
AI summary
A medium distributing assembly for a vehicle design element includes a medium guide including at least one medium receiving element; and at least one medium exit element, where the medium exit element has at least partly an annular form.