Exterior Mirror Side Indicator Light Homogeneous Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing side indicator lights for exterior mirrors suffer from inhomogeneous light emission due to visible decoupling points and curved light guides, leading to brightness inconsistencies and hotspots, especially when viewed from different angles, failing to meet legal emission requirements and aesthetic standards.
Innovation Solution
Designing side indicator lights with invisible, elongated light guides that cover the entire length and incorporate a diffuse film in the beam path to ensure homogeneous light emission, separating functionality for legal requirements from design homogeneity, and using LEDs and light guides to achieve a uniform light band emission in the direction of travel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If curved light guides with visible coupling points are used, then light can be directed outwards to meet legal requirements, but inhomogeneity and hotspots occur when viewed from different angles
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple segments or zones along its length, with each segment having optimized coupling point characteristics. This segmentation allows different portions of the light guide to emit light in controlled patterns, reducing the visibility of individual coupling points and improving overall homogeneity while maintaining directional emission compliance
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide are given different optical properties through varied coupling point densities, prism structures, or refractive indices. This local quality variation ensures that light emission is optimized for both legal compliance (directional emission) and aesthetic homogeneity (reduced visible coupling points) in different spatial zones
2Reliability
If prisms or coupling structures are added to light guides to deflect light outwards, then legal emission requirements are met, but the coupling points become visible and create inhomogeneity
Solution Approach 1:
A diffuse reflecting layer or intermediate optical element is introduced between the light guide and the external environment. This intermediary scatters the light from coupling points before it exits, making individual coupling structures invisible while still maintaining the required directional emission patterns for legal compliance
Solution Approach 2:
A thin diffuse film or coating is applied to the light guide surface at coupling point locations. This film softens and diffuses the light emission from individual coupling points, rendering them invisible to external observers while preserving the overall directional light emission required by legal standards
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 a homogeneous appearance in both illuminated and non-illuminated states, meeting legal emission criteria while enhancing design freedom and reducing brightness inconsistencies from various viewing angles, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and functionally effective side indicator light.
Implementation Method 1
one lighting area comprises a light source and a light guide and wherein the light coupled into the light guide is emitted in the opposite direction of travel
Implementation Method 2
incorporate a diffuse film in the beam path to ensure homogeneous light emission
Data Source
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AI summary
A side indicator light for an exterior mirror is to be further developed in such a way that it has a very homogeneous appearance both when illuminated and when unilluminated. This is achieved by an exterior mirror with a side indicator light having a first illumination area, which includes at least one light source and components for producing diffuse light, and a second illumination area, which includes at least one light source and components for illuminating the second illumination area in accordance with legal requirements.