Illuminated Emblem Light Guide for Uniform Outer Lens Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing emblems suffer from uneven illuminance at the outer circumferential portion due to limited light sources, which is not adequately addressed by prior art configurations.
Innovation Solution
The emblem incorporates a light guide with plural reflective surfaces that reflect light rays towards the outer circumferential portion of an outer lens, with features such as stepped reflective surfaces, asymmetric lens dimensions, and offset light source positioning to evenly distribute light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a limited number of light sources are used to illuminate the outer circumferential portion of the emblem, then the device complexity is reduced, but uneven illuminance occurs at the outer circumferential portion
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the outer lens. The light guide includes multiple reflective surfaces that redirect light rays to different parts of the outer circumferential portion, enabling uniform illumination while using only a limited number of light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from directly illuminating the outer circumferential portion to a two-stage process: first guiding light through the light guide structure, then reflecting it through multiple surfaces to achieve spatial distribution. This dimensional approach to light path control enables uniform illumination without increasing light source count.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are added to achieve uniform illumination at the outer circumferential portion, then the illuminance uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as a mediator that takes light from a limited number of sources and distributes it uniformly across the outer circumferential portion through its reflective surfaces, eliminating the need to increase the number of light sources while achieving uniform illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is divided into multiple reflective surfaces that segment the light distribution function. Each reflective surface directs light to a specific part of the outer circumferential portion, collectively achieving uniform illumination without requiring multiple light sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the outer lens has different maximum dimensions in left-right and up-down directions, then the adaptability to various emblem shapes is improved, but achieving uniform illuminance becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed with asymmetric reflective surfaces that correspond to the asymmetric shape of the outer lens. By matching the asymmetric light distribution pattern to the asymmetric geometry, uniform illumination is achieved across elliptical or irregular shapes without requiring symmetric light source placement.
Solution Approach 2:
Different reflective surfaces of the light guide have different orientations and properties tailored to specific local regions of the outer circumferential portion. This local customization of light reflection characteristics enables uniform illumination across the entire asymmetric outer lens surface.
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 configuration reduces uneven illuminance along the outer circumferential portion by guiding light rays through multiple reflective surfaces, ensuring uniform illumination.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide has plural reflective surfaces that reflect the guided light rays from the light source, respectively, toward respective parts of an outer circumferential portion of the outer lens
Implementation Method 2
an outer lens that emits light rays by transmitting the light rays radiated from the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
An emblem includes: a light source; a light guide through which light rays radiated from the light source are guided; and an outer lens that emits light rays by transmitting the light rays radiated from the light guide. The light guide has plural reflective surfaces that reflect the guided light rays from the light source, respectively, toward respective parts of an outer circumferential portion of the outer lens.