Emblem Light Assembly Using Optical Guide

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light assemblies for illuminating emblems require numerous light sources to outline the emblem, leading to issues with physical spacing, heat generation, power consumption, and cost, as well as reduced lifespan due to high temperatures.

Innovation Solution

A light assembly comprising a housing, an emblem, and an optical light guide that receives light from one or a few sources and emits it along the emblem's edges through light scattering elements, eliminating the need for multiple light sources.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If many light sources are used to illuminate the emblem edges, then the illumination effect is improved, but heat generation increases and light source lifespan decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemblem illumination effectVSAvoidheat generation
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light sources are merged into a single light source that illuminates the entire emblem perimeter. The optical light guide distributes the light from this single source along the entire emblem edge, achieving the illumination effect of multiple sources while using only one physical light source, thereby reducing heat generation and extending lifespan.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

An optical light guide is introduced as an intermediary between the single light source and the emblem edges. The light guide receives light from the single source and distributes it along the emblem perimeter, enabling one light source to effectively illuminate multiple locations without requiring multiple light sources to be physically present and generating heat simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If many light sources are positioned next to each other, then the illumination coverage is improved, but physical spacing becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemblem illumination coverageVSAvoidphysical spacing arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light sources are merged into a single light source combined with an optical light guide. This eliminates the need to physically arrange multiple light sources along the emblem perimeter, simplifying the spatial arrangement while maintaining comprehensive illumination coverage through the light guide's light distribution capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution transitions from a one-dimensional arrangement of multiple light sources along the emblem edge to a different approach where a single light source illuminates the optical light guide, which then distributes light along the emblem perimeter. This dimensional shift in the light transmission path resolves the physical spacing problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Illumination intensity

If many light sources are used, then the illumination effect is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemblem illumination effectVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light sources are merged into a single light source with an optical light guide system. This consolidation reduces power consumption by eliminating the need to power multiple separate light sources while maintaining the desired illumination effect through efficient light distribution along the emblem edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Illumination intensity

If many light sources are used, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the number of components and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemblem illumination coverageVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light sources and their associated mounting structures are merged into a single light source and one optical light guide component. This significantly reduces the total number of components and simplifies assembly procedures while achieving comprehensive emblem illumination coverage.

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 solution provides effective illumination of the emblem's edges using fewer components, reducing heat generation, power consumption, and extending the lifespan of light sources while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing effect.

Implementation Method 1

The optical light guide is configured to receive light generated by the at least one light source and to emit at least some of the light along the exposed edges thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

emits it along the emblem's edges through light scattering elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3257038B1Light assembly for illuminating an emblem
Publication Date: 2020.05.27 TYCO ELECTRONICS CANADA ULC
  • EP3257038B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3257038B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3257038B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A light assembly (100) for illuminating an emblem includes a housing (106), an emblem (102), and an optical light guide (104). The housing holds a light source (108). The emblem has a structural body (110) defined by emblem edges. The optical light guide is coupled to the housing and has a shape associated with the emblem. A surface (116) of the optical light guide faces and is at least partially covered by the structural body of the emblem. The optical light guide defines exposed edges that project laterally beyond the emblem edges of the emblem. The optical light guide is configured to receive light generated by the light source and to emit at least some of the light along the exposed edges thereof.