Door Handle Illuminator Merging LED and Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional door outside handle illuminators are limited by the lack of space for multiple light sources due to the presence of a light guiding member, restricting the realization of various illumination functions and increasing manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
An illuminator design that integrates an LED bulb with both light source and light guiding functions, eliminating the need for a conventional light guiding member, allowing for increased space utilization and reduced costs, while incorporating a mood lamp function and multiple illumination methods, including different color options based on operation conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guiding member (lens) is installed within the door outside handle, then light can be effectively guided to illuminate the outer panel, but the mounting space for additional light sources is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source and light guiding functions into a single integrated LED bulb structure. The LED bulb includes a light source portion and a light guiding portion that extends from the PCB to the handle housing, eliminating the need for a separate lens component while maintaining effective light guidance to illuminate the outer panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED bulb is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both the light source and the light guiding member. The light guiding portion of the LED bulb transmits light from the light source portion to illuminate the outer panel, thereby reducing the number of components and freeing up mounting space within the handle housing.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are installed within the door outside handle, then various illumination functions can be realized, but the mounting space is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into fewer components. The integrated LED bulb structure allows space for additional LEDs (such as the top LED) to be installed within the handle housing, enabling various illumination functions including mood lamp effects and multi-color lighting while maintaining adequate space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the vertical space within the handle housing by installing the LED bulb extending from the PCB towards the handle housing, and additionally mounting a top LED at one side of the PCB. This multi-dimensional arrangement maximizes the use of available mounting space to accommodate multiple light sources for various illumination functions.
3Illumination intensity
If a conventional light guiding member (lens) is used, then light can be guided effectively, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light guiding function directly into the LED bulb structure, eliminating the need for a separate lens component. This reduces the number of parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective light guidance through the light guiding portion of the LED bulb.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the separate lens component from the conventional illuminator design. By eliminating this unnecessary component and integrating its light guiding function into the LED bulb itself, the manufacturing process is simplified and costs are reduced.
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 the observability and product value of the door outside handle by increasing usable space, reducing manufacturing costs, and enabling various illumination effects and operation logics, making the handle more convenient to use.
Implementation Method 1
an LED bulb supported while being electrically connected to the PCB and having a cylindrical shape, the LED bulb being configured to perform both a function of a light source and a function of guiding light through a length thereof extending from the PCB to the handle housing
Implementation Method 2
a light guide disposed lengthwise along an outer line contour of an inner grip of the handle housing while an end of the light guide contacts or gets close to the top LED and installed such that one side surface of the light guide is exposed at a border line between the handle housing and the grip
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminator of a door outside handle for a vehicle may perform both a function of a light source and a light guiding function. The illuminator may further employ a light guide having a mood lamp function on an inner surface of the door outside handle and a top LED combined with the light guide to illuminate the outer panel together with the illuminator, making it possible to enhance a product value due to realization of various illumination effects. The illuminator of a door outside handle for a vehicle can be turned on or off through various operation logics by employing multiple different illumination methods where lights of different colors can be realized according to the operation condition, making it possible to enhance product value.