Dynamic Liquid Optic for Consistent Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light engines struggle to consistently illuminate a target area when in motion, requiring multiple light engines or complex mechanisms to adjust orientation, which is costly and prone to failure.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic optic system with a reservoir filled with liquid that uses total internal reflection to automatically adjust light direction, ensuring consistent illumination regardless of the light engine's orientation, by incorporating an inner and outer optic with different refractive indices and a light source adjacent to the liquid surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple light engines with different illumination patterns are provided to ensure consistent illumination when the light engine is in motion, then the illumination reliability is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination consistencyVSAvoidnumber of light engines

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the optic material from solid to liquid, allowing the optic to dynamically adjust its orientation in response to gravitational forces. This parameter change enables a single light engine to maintain consistent illumination on the target area regardless of the vehicle's motion, eliminating the need for multiple light engines with different illumination patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If complicated mechanisms are provided to alter the orientation of the optic within the light engine, then the illumination directionality is improved, but the device complexity and reliability worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination directionalityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with a liquid optic that passively responds to gravitational forces. The liquid's free surface automatically orients itself perpendicular to the gravitational field, providing the necessary directional adjustment without any moving parts, motors, or control systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid optic self-adjusts its orientation in response to changes in the light engine's attitude. The liquid's surface automatically reorients itself based on gravitational forces, eliminating the need for external control systems or mechanical actuators to maintain proper illumination direction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If complicated mechanisms are provided to alter the orientation of the optic, then the illumination directionality is improved, but the reliability worsens due to more moving parts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination directionalityVSAvoidsystem failure rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical adjustment mechanisms entirely by using a liquid optic that responds directly to gravitational forces. This substitution of mechanical systems with a passive fluid response removes all moving parts that could fail, significantly improving reliability while maintaining the ability to adjust illumination directionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If multiple light engines are provided to ensure consistent illumination, then the illumination reliability is improved, but the weight and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination consistencyVSAvoidtotal system weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of multiple light engines into a single light engine equipped with a liquid optic. The liquid optic's ability to dynamically adjust its orientation allows one light engine to perform the illumination function that previously required multiple fixed-pattern light engines, reducing total system weight while maintaining illumination consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 dynamic optic system provides consistent illumination across varying orientations, reducing the need for multiple light engines, resulting in cost savings, weight reduction, and simplified wiring, while maintaining reliable light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light source disposed adjacent to the at least one optic such that the at least one light source emits light that interacts with an upper surface of the liquid at a total internal reflection surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10088124B2Dynamic optic

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 ABL IP HLDG LLC

AI summary

A dynamic optic includes at least one optic having a reservoir that is at least partially filled with a liquid and at least one light source disposed adjacent to the at least one optic. The upper surface of the liquid creates a total internal reflection surface that totally internally reflects light emitted by the at least one light source.