Colored Vehicle Light Guide via Segmented Material Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle light assemblies struggle to achieve a colored appearance without compromising optical efficiency and increasing costs, as methods like using tinted materials or lenses lead to decreased light output and higher complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle light assembly design featuring a light guide with a first segment of colorless material and a second segment of colored material, where the light travels a longer distance through the colorless segment before passing through the colored segment, maintaining high transmissivity and optical efficiency while creating a colored appearance in both lit and unlit states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the entire light guide is constructed from a tinted material to achieve a colored appearance, then the colored appearance is achieved, but the light transmission properties are significantly lowered leading to decreased light output and higher cost
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into two distinct segments: a first segment made of colorless material with high transmissivity for optimal light transmission, and a second segment made of colored material for aesthetic appearance. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the light guide are assigned different material properties: the first segment (proximal to light sources) uses colorless material with high transmissivity, while the second segment (distal from light sources) uses colored material for appearance. This local differentiation optimizes both light transmission and aesthetic appearance.
2Shape
If a tinted lens is used to create a colored appearance, then the colored appearance is achieved, but the complexity and cost of the light assembly increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide structure is merged with the aesthetic function by incorporating the colored appearance directly into the light guide itself through the two-segment design. This eliminates the need for separate tinted lenses or additional aesthetic components, reducing overall assembly complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves dual functions: it guides light from the light sources (optical function) and simultaneously provides the colored appearance (aesthetic function) through the colored second segment. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components.
3Shape
If the light travels a longer distance through colored material to enhance colored appearance, then the colored appearance is improved, but the light transmission and optical efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented into a colorless first segment and a colored second segment, allowing the light to travel through the colorless material for efficient transmission and then through a relatively short distance of colored material for appearance, minimizing energy loss while achieving the desired aesthetic effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The colored material is applied locally in the second segment rather than throughout the entire light guide, concentrating the aesthetic effect in the region where it is most visible while preserving light transmission efficiency in the first segment where light travels the longest distance.
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 design enhances optical efficiency and reduces costs by using a two-stage injection molding process to form a single integral light guide, achieving a colored appearance without the drawbacks of tinted materials, while maintaining visibility and styling flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide configured to receive light from the one or more light sources and project the light outwardly from the light guide. The light guide includes a first segment proximate to the one or more light sources and a second segment distal from the one or more light source, such that the light from the one or more light sources passes through the first segment of the light guide before passing through the second segment of the light guide
Implementation Method 2
The first segment of the light guide is comprised of a colorless material and the second segment of the light guide is comprised of a colored material. The colorless material of the first segment of the light guide preferably has a higher transmissivity than the colored material of the second segment of the light guide.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle light assembly is provided that exhibits a colored appearance when in an unlit state. The vehicle light assembly comprises: a housing; one or more light sources mounted in the housing; and a light guide configured to receive light from the one or more light sources and project the light outwardly from the light guide. The light guide includes a first segment proximate to the one or more light sources and a second segment distal from the one or more light source, such that the light from the one or more light sources passes through the first segment of the light guide before passing through the second segment of the light guide. Of note, the first segment is comprised of a colorless material; whereas, at least a portion of the second segment is comprised of a colored material.