Automotive Lighting Device Permeable Opaque Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive headlamps face a contradiction in design where minimizing light leakage through opaque walls hinders the flow of dry air, leading to slow defogging and misting issues, as these walls obstruct the path for dry air to reach the glass surface.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a permeable element, such as a porous material or a valve, that allows water vapor to pass through while preventing light leakage, with a porous material being used in the opaque element to facilitate a straightforward path for dry air to reach the glass, and optionally using a deflector to direct airflow and hydrophobic surface treatments to maintain demisting effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If opaque walls are used to prevent light leakage, then light leakage is avoided, but the path for dry air to reach the glass surface becomes tortuous and flow rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials in the opaque element to enable water vapor permeation while maintaining light blocking capability. The porous structure allows dry air to pass through more directly, reducing the tortuous path and increasing flow rate, thereby improving defogging velocity without compromising light leakage prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials combining opaque and permeable properties in the same element. This composite structure allows the element to simultaneously block light and permit air flow, resolving the contradiction between preventing light leakage and maintaining high defogging velocity.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If opaque walls are used to prevent light leakage, then light leakage is avoided, but misting increases due to slow air flow
Solution Approach 1:
The porous material in the opaque element facilitates direct air flow to the glass surface, increasing the supply of dry air that prevents water vapor condensation. This reduces misting while the opaque property of the material continues to prevent light leakage.
Solution Approach 2:
The permeable opaque element acts as an intermediary that mediates between the need for light blocking and the need for air flow. It allows water vapor and dry air to pass through while blocking light, preventing condensation without compromising light leakage prevention.
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 solution effectively addresses both light leakage and misting issues by allowing a faster flow of dry air to the glass, enhancing demisting velocity without the need for expensive active elements, while maintaining mechanical integrity and aesthetic preferences.
Implementation Method 1
a porous material which allows water vapour to pass through but does not allow light to pass through
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the opaque element is located less than 5cm from the outer glass
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention provides an automotive lighting device (1) comprising a light source (2), a housing (3) with a ventilation element (4), an outer glass (5) closing the housing (2) and an opaque element (6). The ventilation element (4) allows water vapour to pass through while preventing liquid water from entering the housing. The opaque element (6) comprises a first portion (7) located between the ventilation element (4) and the outer glass (5), wherein the first portion (7) comprises a permeable element which allows water vapour to pass through but does not allow light to pass through.