Automotive Lighting System Thread-Like Source Light Guide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems for automotive lamps that use laterally emitting fibers struggle to create a uniform light strip effect due to the limited flexibility and curvature of these fibers, which restricts design options and energy efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system utilizing thread-like, flexible lighting sources with laterally or radially emitting optical fibers, coupled with light guides that allow for the creation of light effects along broken lines and curves, reducing the need for multiple LED sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If laterally emitting fibers are used to create a light strip effect, then energy consumption is reduced and light uniformity is improved, but the fiber flexibility and curvature are limited, restricting design options
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independent LED modules arranged along the desired light strip path. Each module can be independently positioned and oriented, allowing the overall system to follow complex broken line geometries while maintaining the energy efficiency of individual LED sources.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical elements (such as light guides or diffusing plates) are introduced as intermediaries between the LED sources and the final light output. These optical elements distribute light from the discrete LED modules to create a continuous, uniform light strip appearance while allowing the LEDs to be positioned at locations optimized for energy efficiency and geometric adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LED sources are used to create a light strip effect, then design flexibility is improved, but the number of lighting sources increases, reducing energy efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system uses a minimal number of discrete LED modules positioned at strategic locations along the light strip path. This segmentation allows design flexibility through strategic placement while minimizing the total number of active light sources to maintain energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Each LED module is designed to serve multiple functions: providing light for the strip effect, allowing geometric adaptation through positioning, and enabling design flexibility through modular arrangement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components.
3Device complexity
If laterally emitting fibers are bent at sharp edges, then design complexity is reduced, but the fiber breaks, reducing reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces continuous flexible fibers with discrete LED modules that can independently accommodate sharp edges and corners. Each module is positioned at locations that follow the desired geometric path, eliminating the need to bend fibers at sharp angles and thus preventing fiber breakage while maintaining design complexity.
4Illumination intensity
If a plate with optical features is applied to LED strip to achieve uniform light, then light uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Optical elements serve as intermediaries between the LED modules and the final light output. These elements are strategically placed to distribute light and create uniformity only where needed, rather than covering the entire LED strip, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining light uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
Optical features are applied locally at specific positions where light distribution needs adjustment, rather than uniformly across the entire lighting system. This localized approach achieves the necessary light uniformity while minimizing the addition of complex components.
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
The system achieves a more uniform and energy-efficient light strip effect, capable of extending along complex paths, including curves and corners, while minimizing the number of lighting sources required.
Implementation Method 1
the laterally emitting fiber is a device made of polymers which convey therein the light emitted by a LED or Laser light source
Implementation Method 2
in the cladding of which microfractures are obtained, which allow laterally or radially adjusting the dispersion of the light along the fiber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1a
Figure 2~2a
AI summary
A lighting system for generating a light strip effect, for example for a light of an automotive lamp, comprises at least one thread-like lighting source (10) suitable for emitting a light beam in a lateral direction, and at least one light guide (14) optically coupled to the thread-like lighting source. The light guide (14) comprises a proximal light guide portion (142) and a distal light guide portion (144). The proximal light guide portion (142) is suitable for reflecting at least one portion of the light beam generated by the thread-like lighting source so as to channel said light beam portion into the distal light guide portion (144). The distal light guide portion (144) is configured to reflect the light beam portion so as to direct the light beam portion towards a distal emitting end (148) of light guide which provides the desired light strip effect when illuminated.