Vehicle Emblem Homogeneous Illumination via Internal Reflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated vehicle emblems struggle with non-homogeneous light distribution due to the use of expensive light guides, leading to varying light intensities across the perimeter, especially in complex geometries and narrow logo designs, where light sources are closely spaced, resulting in uneven illumination.
Innovation Solution
An internal reflection chamber is created using reflective surfaces within the emblem's cavity, combined with a translucent diffusion filter and strategically positioned light sources and aperture geometries, which distribute light uniformly across the perimeter by constant internal reflection and diffuse transmission, eliminating the need for light guides.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light guides are used to distribute light from multiple point sources, then light can be transmitted internally, but the device becomes expensive and complex with additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the light guide component from the emblem structure. Instead of using internal light transmission through a separate light guide, the patent uses the emblem body itself as the light distribution medium through lateral illumination, thereby removing the expensive and complex light guide while achieving the desired light distribution effect
Solution Approach 2:
The emblem body is given multiple functions: it serves both as the visual display element (logo/perimeter) and as the light distribution medium. By making the emblem body itself translucent and using lateral illumination, it performs both the aesthetic function and the light guiding function that previously required a separate component
2Area of stationary object
If point light sources are distributed at different points to illuminate the emblem, then coverage is improved, but light intensity becomes non-homogeneous with darker and lighter areas
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies different optical properties to different parts of the emblem body. The emblem body is made translucent specifically in the regions where light extraction is needed for lateral illumination, while maintaining opacity or different translucency characteristics in other areas. This local differentiation of optical properties enables homogeneous light distribution across the perimeter
Solution Approach 2:
The translucent portions of the emblem body act as an intermediary medium between the point light sources and the external environment. This intermediary structure diffuses and redistributes the light from multiple point sources laterally, transforming the non-homogeneous light distribution into a uniform perimeter illumination
3Length of moving object
If the emblem has small thickness to reduce size, then compactness is improved, but light homogenization becomes more difficult due to limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The invention shifts the light distribution approach from the thickness dimension to the lateral dimension. Instead of trying to homogenize light through the small thickness of the emblem, the patent uses lateral illumination where light travels horizontally through translucent portions of the emblem body, effectively using the planar dimensions to achieve light distribution without being constrained by the limited thickness
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 solution provides homogeneous and indirect illumination with a reduced component count, lower thickness, and easier assembly, ensuring consistent light intensity across the emblem's perimeter without the expense and assembly challenges of light guides.
Implementation Method 1
a translucent diffusion filter, which distribute light uniformly across the perimeter by constant internal reflection and diffuse transmission
Implementation Method 2
An internal reflection chamber is created using reflective surfaces within the emblem's cavity, combined with a translucent diffusion filter and strategically positioned light sources and aperture geometries, which distribute light uniformly across the perimeter by constant internal reflection
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an illuminated emblem for an automotive vehicle suitable for preferably being installed at some point of the vehicle body, the main function thereof being to produce homogeneous illumination of the entire perimeter of the emblem. The main particularity of this invention resides in the fact that the light beams generated by the different point light sources distributed in specific positions in the emblem homogeneously exit around the perimeter of the emblem, i.e. an outside observer perceives one and the same light intensity on the entire perimeter of the emblem, without distinguishing segments with a greater light intensity and others with a lower light intensity. Other features of the illuminated emblem of this invention consist of it being easy to manufacture and assembly, having a low cost, and a minimum number of components.