Unified Exterior Mirror Lighting Module Integrating Turn Signal and Warning Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exterior mirror lighting systems fail to provide optimal illumination and visibility of turn signals to road users due to insufficient light intensity and design limitations, requiring multiple separate lighting modules that complicate installation and increase the number of variants.
Innovation Solution
A unified lighting module that integrates both turn signal and warning display functions, with light fed in at two different points and decoupled along the exterior mirror, using a single component that fits seamlessly into the mirror housing, optimizing light distribution and visibility while reducing installation complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate lighting modules are used for turn signal and warning display, then functional versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate lighting modules (turn signal module and warning display module) into a single integrated lighting unit. This unified module contains both the turn signal light guide and warning display light guide, along with their respective LEDs and control circuitry, reducing the number of separate components while maintaining all required functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting unit is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions simultaneously - it serves as both the turn signal indicator and the warning display for assistance systems. The single module can be controlled to display different light patterns for different functions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated modules.
2Area of stationary object
If light is transported over long distances in a light guide, then visibility area is improved, but light intensity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed with spatially varying properties - the turn signal light guide has decoupling devices distributed along its length to provide extended visibility, while the warning display light guide is positioned and configured to concentrate light emission at specific locations for maximum intensity. Each light guide's structure is optimized for its specific function and position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses optically clear housing cover portions as intermediaries to transport and distribute light from the LEDs to the exterior surfaces. The housing cover acts as a light guide itself, allowing light to be emitted at multiple points along its surface, thereby extending visibility while maintaining adequate intensity through the intermediary optical path.
3Ease of manufacture
If light coupling point is visible from outside, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but aesthetic appearance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optically clear housing cover portions that act as flexible optical elements. These covers are designed to be transparent or translucent, allowing light to pass through while maintaining a smooth, continuous exterior surface. The light coupling points are positioned inside the housing, and the clear covers transmit the light without exposing the coupling mechanisms, thus preserving aesthetic appearance while maintaining optical efficiency.
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 ensures improved light intensity and visibility for turn signals and warning displays, meeting legal requirements while simplifying installation and reducing the number of mirror housing variants, enhancing road safety and aesthetic harmony.
Implementation Method 1
The light from an LED is coupled into one end of the light guide and transported over the entire length
Implementation Method 2
The light from an LED is coupled into one end of the light guide and transported over the entire length. The light is emitted over the entire length of the light guide
Implementation Method 3
The light is emitted over the entire length of the light guide, depending on the density of the decoupling devices
Implementation Method 4
EP 2 119 595 A1 discloses a turn signal module of an exterior mirror arrangement for a motor vehicle with pairs of light sources which emit light in different directions in a parabolic reflector
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting module (10) for an external rearview mirror, comprising two sections which converge in the area of a circuit board (13) and meet there, wherein two light windows (11, 11') following the outer contour of the external rearview mirror meet at this point, the light windows (11, 11') simultaneously serving as light guides for transporting the light from an input point on the circuit board (13) to output points in output areas (5, 6) at the end of the light guides, and the light is supplied by LEDs (14, 14') mounted on the circuit board (13).