Double-Reflective Steering Light Guide for Opposed Light Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional steering modules for motor vehicles have large light guides that limit the compactness and effectiveness of optical signaling for vehicle operating states, restricting the ability to convey comprehensive light information to the driver.
Innovation Solution
A compact steering module design featuring a light guide that deflects light rays at least twice, allowing for an extreme change in direction, enabling the light to exit opposite to the main radiation direction, thus facilitating intuitive and perceivable optical signaling without requiring extensive space, and incorporating a diffusor structure and micro optics for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional light guide is used in the optical signaling unit, then the light can be guided from the light source to the emission surface, but the light guide becomes relatively large and the signaling unit requires corresponding space
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed with a curved cross-sectional shape (U-shape, L-shape, or Z-shape) instead of a straight configuration. This curvature allows the light to undergo multiple reflections within a compact volume, achieving the desired light direction change without requiring a large light guide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a one-dimensional straight light guide to a multi-dimensional curved path. By utilizing spatial curvature and multiple reflection surfaces, the light guide achieves complex light routing in a compact three-dimensional space, effectively using dimensional space more efficiently.
2Volume of moving object
If the light guide is made compact, then the steering module space requirement is reduced, but the ability to indicate comprehensive light information in multiple exit directions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The emission surface is divided into multiple independent light-emitting regions or segments. Each segment can emit light in specific directions, allowing comprehensive light information to be conveyed through multiple discrete exit directions from a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the emission surface are designed with different light emission characteristics and directions. This allows various types of light information to be emitted from different locations, maintaining versatility in a compact design.
3Device complexity
If the light guide structure is simplified, then the device complexity is reduced, but the change in direction between main radiation direction and exit direction is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The curved cross-sectional shape of the light guide inherently provides multiple reflection surfaces that automatically guide light through the desired angular change. This geometric approach achieves complex light direction control without requiring additional mirrors, prisms, or complex optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure itself performs the light direction function through its curved geometry and internal reflections. The structure is self-sufficient, eliminating the need for separate light-deflecting components and reducing overall device complexity.
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 allows for a compact and intuitive optical signaling system that improves safety by allowing drivers to easily recognize the vehicle's operating state without needing to change their viewing direction, while also enabling uniform and flexible light emission across the emission surface.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide is defined to be shaped in such a way that light rays of the coupled-in light are reflected therein at least twice
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a steering module (8) for a motor vehicle (1), the steering module (8) comprising an optical signaling unit (14), which optically indicates an operating state of the motor vehicle (1), wherein the optical signaling unit (14) comprises at least one light source (15) and a light guide (16), by which the light emitted by the light source (15) with a main radiation direction (20) is capable of being deflected in an exit direction which is different from the main radiation direction (20) and the light exits in this exit direction (19) from an emission surface (18) from the light guide (16), wherein the light guide (16) is shaped in such a way that light rays of the coupled-in light are reflected therein at least twice so that the exit direction (19) is opposite to the main radiation direction (20).