Backlit Vehicle Light Assembly With Polymeric Diffuser Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current rear light assemblies for road vehicles face challenges in mounting accuracy, aesthetic defects, exposure to damage, and limited visibility due to the direct installation of single LED strips, which are thin and not easily appreciable at long distances, and impose design constraints.
Innovation Solution
A backlit light assembly featuring a support structure with a transparent polymeric substrate that houses a strip of light-emitting diodes, where the substrate is mounted along a transverse axis and extends with a constant thickness, featuring outlet profiles and a sloped reflective surface to maximize light visibility and protection, allowing the diodes to be integrated and not directly visible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single LED strip is installed directly visible from the outside, then the light emission is thin and not appreciable at long distances, but the mounting requires high accuracy and any positioning defect causes aesthetic visual defects
Solution Approach 1:
A polymeric diffuser element is introduced as an intermediary between the LED strip and the external environment. This diffuser element scatters and redistributes the light from the LED strip, creating a thicker, more visible light emission pattern while eliminating the need for precise LED positioning. The diffuser acts as a mediator that transforms the thin LED light into a broader, more aesthetically pleasing light pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional LED strip to a two-dimensional light emission pattern by using the polymeric diffuser element. The diffuser spreads the light in multiple directions and dimensions, creating a thicker, more substantial light appearance that is visible at long distances without requiring multiple parallel LED strips or precise positioning.
2Illumination intensity
If the LED strip is positioned to be directly visible, then the light emission is thin, but the diodes are exposed to impact and could break requiring replacement together with the polymeric part
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric diffuser element serves as a protective intermediary that shields the LED strip from direct impact while still allowing light to pass through. This diffuser element absorbs and distributes impact forces, protecting the fragile diodes from breaking during obstacles impact, while maintaining the desired light emission visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymeric diffuser element provides beforehand cushioning protection to the LED strip. By positioning this protective layer between potential impact sources and the diodes, the system prepares for potential impacts in advance, cushioning the blow before it reaches the vulnerable LED components, thus preventing breakage and costly replacements.
3Device complexity
If a single LED strip is used, then the device is simple, but the light emission is particularly thin and not always appreciable at long distances
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric diffuser element acts as an optical intermediary that transforms the thin light from a single LED strip into a thicker, more substantial light emission. The diffuser's scattering properties redistribute the light in a way that creates the appearance of increased thickness and enhanced visibility at long distances, eliminating the need for multiple parallel LED strips.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters of the light emission by introducing the polymeric diffuser element. This element modifies the light's distribution pattern, angular spread, and apparent thickness without changing the physical configuration of the LED strip itself. The parameter change occurs in the light's spatial distribution rather than in the number of light sources.
4Illumination intensity
If the diodes are positioned for direct visibility, then the light emission is achieved, but design constraints are imposed on the position of diodes and power supply lines from a stylistic viewpoint
Solution Approach 1:
The polymeric diffuser element serves as a stylistic intermediary that allows the LED strip and its power supply lines to be positioned freely without aesthetic constraints. The diffuser conceals the internal components while providing the desired light emission, freeing the design from the constraint of positioning diodes for direct visibility and allowing greater stylistic freedom in the overall design.
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
Simplifies mounting, enhances visibility by thickening the light emission, reduces weight, and offers improved design freedom by protecting the LED strip and allowing complex luminous profiles, while maintaining aerodynamic and aesthetic functions.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent polymeric substrate configured to be traversed, along its thickness, by a light beam emitted by the luminous devices
Implementation Method 2
a sloped reflective surface arranged close to the illuminating source unit and arranged to deflect the light beam substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the road vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Light assembly (16) comprising: a support structure (17); an illuminating source unit (18), mounted on board the support structure (17); an at least partially transparent polymeric substrate (22) extending between a proximal end (23), mounted at the support structure (17) and the illuminating source unit (18), and a distal end (24), opposite the proximal end (23) and projecting from the support structure (17); wherein the polymeric substrate (22) comprises a thickness (W) lower than the other dimensions and is configured to be traversed, along its thickness (W), by a light beam (L) emitted from the illuminating source unit at the proximal end (23), which exits at least from an outlet profile (25) arranged at the distal end (24), whereby the polymeric substrate (22) comprises: - two main outer surfaces (28) facing each other and a minor lateral surface (29) connecting the two main outer surfaces (28) ; wherein the outlet profile (25) is at least part of the minor lateral surface (29); and - further outlet profiles (30) are made on at least one of the main outer surfaces (28), between the proximal end (23) and the distal end (24); wherein the further outlet profiles (30) are grooves (31), in particular millings that partially interrupt the passage of the light beam (L) towards the outlet profile (25) determining an intermediate partial exit thereof.