Curved Light Guide Reflecting Element for Vehicle Rear Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle rear lights with curved light guides often suffer from light loss and uneven brightness due to refracted light beams, and existing solutions like using two separate light sources are cost-sensitive and space-unfeasible.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a reflecting element at the end of the light guide opposite the light inlet, combined with prismatic surfaces and a light guide support, optimally directs light beams for improved outcoupling, even in curved configurations, reducing manufacturing costs and enhancing efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a curved light guide is used to accommodate vehicle shape and curvature, then the lighting device can adapt to geometric limitations, but light beams are refracted instead of reflected causing light loss and uneven brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific geometric configuration at the light outlet surface where the angle between the outlet surface and the first direction exceeds 90 degrees. This localized geometric feature ensures that light beams undergo total internal reflection rather than refraction, maintaining brightness consistency in curved light guides without requiring the entire light guide to have special geometry.
2Illumination intensity
If two light sources are used at separate ends of the light guide, then lighting efficiency is improved and brightness is more uniform, but device complexity and cost increase due to separate PCBs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light reflection function from the light source assembly and implements it through the geometric configuration of the light guide itself. By designing the light outlet surface with an angle greater than 90 degrees relative to the first direction, the light guide structure itself performs the reflection function, eliminating the need for separate reflection components or dual light source PCBs.
3Volume of moving object
If the light source is located at an end of the light guide opposite to the optimal light emission end, then space requirements are met, but lighting efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional light guide geometry by configuring the light outlet surface angle to exceed 90 degrees relative to the first direction. This inverted geometric approach allows light beams to be reflected back toward the optimal emission direction even when the light source is positioned at the opposite end, effectively reversing the usual light propagation issues caused by suboptimal source placement.
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 increases lighting efficiency by reflecting and refracting light beams to ensure consistent brightness and reduced visual gaps between vehicle sections, accommodating curved geometries without additional light sources.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide then transports light from the light inlet surface to some light outlet surface by means of total refraction of light at the boundary of the light guide with the surrounding medium
Implementation Method 2
a reflecting element for reflecting light beams emitted by the light source, the reflecting element being located at an end of the at least one light guide opposite the light inlet surface
Implementation Method 3
a portion of the light guide comprises some prisms for reflecting rays of light towards the light outlet surface
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting device comprising: - at least one light guide (20); - a light source (10) coupled to a light inlet surface (21) of the at least one light guide (20); the lighting device further comprising a reflecting element (30) for reflecting light beams (a) emitted by the light source (10), the reflecting element (30) being located at an end (22) of the at least one light guide (20) opposite the light inlet surface (21).