Branched Vehicle Lightguide Input Structure for Compact Light Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative vehicle lamps with branched lightguides face challenges in efficiently transferring light between branches, especially when the angle between branches is small, leading to complex construction and reduced light efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A decorative lighting assembly featuring a lightguide with two branches and a connecting portion, including a protruding light input portion with nonparallel input surfaces and conical reflection surfaces, which effectively directs light from oriented light sources into the lightguide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If light sources are placed between the branches of a branched lightguide, then the construction becomes more compact, but the construction of the lightguide becomes more complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The lightguide is segmented into distinct functional portions: a connecting portion and a protruding input portion. The input portion is further segmented into multiple input surfaces (first, second, third input surfaces) that can be independently optimized for light reception from different directions, simplifying the overall construction while maintaining compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a planar lightguide structure to a three-dimensional protruding input portion that extends between the branches. This dimensional change allows light sources to be positioned compactly between branches while providing multiple input surfaces that face different directions, reducing construction complexity.
2Volume of moving object
If the angle between branches is small (under 120°), then the lamp can be more compact, but light transfer between branches becomes difficult and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding input portion acts as an intermediary structure between the light sources and the two branches. It provides multiple input surfaces that efficiently receive light from sources positioned between the branches and transfer it to both branches, maintaining high light transfer efficiency even when the angle between branches is small (under 120°).
Solution Approach 2:
The input portion is designed with different input surfaces having different orientations and properties optimized for their specific functions. The first and second input surfaces receive light from different directions and transfer it to respective branches, while the third input surface provides additional light reception capability, ensuring efficient light transfer in compact configurations.
3Loss of energy
If multiple light sources are oriented in different directions to match branch angles, then light transfer to each branch is optimized, but the construction complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protruding input portion serves multiple functions: it provides the first input surface for receiving light directed toward the first branch, the second input surface for receiving light directed toward the second branch, and the third input surface for additional light reception. This multi-functional design allows a single structured component to optimize light transfer to both branches without requiring complex different orientations of multiple light sources.
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 solution enhances light transfer efficiency, improves homogeneity and luminosity of the light emitted by the branches, and simplifies the construction and manufacturing process of the lamps.
Implementation Method 1
The reflection surfaces together form a part of a conical surface for reflecting light from the light sources towards the branches
Data Source
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AI summary
Decorative lighting assembly for a vehicle comprising a lightguide (1) and two light sources (2). The lightguide (1) comprises two branches (3) connected to each other through a connecting portion (4), and a protruding light input portion (5) located at the connecting portion (4). The input portion (5) comprises two mutually nonparallel input surfaces (6) and two conical reflection surfaces (7). Both light sources (2) are oriented in the same direction and are placed between the input surfaces (6). Each light source (2) preferably mainly illuminates one of the input surfaces (7) and illuminates the other of the input surfaces (7) to a lesser extent.