Finger-Shaped Light Guide with Dual-Facet Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle light systems face challenges in achieving high optical quality and compliance with legally specified light distributions due to imprecise alignment of optical elements, leading to increased power consumption and costs.
Innovation Solution
A finger-shaped light guide element with a reflector system, comprising a central main reflector part and secondary reflector parts, directs light into the light guide element without interacting with its side walls, allowing light to exit without refraction, thus simplifying the light exit surface geometry and improving homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple optical elements are used to achieve legally specified light distribution, then light distribution compliance is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (light distribution, reflection, and light guiding) into a single integrated light guide element. This element includes built-in reflective surfaces and light-exiting surfaces that work together to achieve legally specified light distributions, eliminating the need for separate reflectors and optical elements, thus reducing device complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the source, reflects light to achieve proper distribution, and provides structured light-exiting surfaces for compliance with light distribution laws. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the system
2Manufacturing precision
If light interacts with side walls of the light guide element, then light distribution can be modified, but optical quality and homogeneity of light exit deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface properties to different regions of the light guide element: the side walls are designed to be non-interacting (smooth, non-reflective) to maintain optical quality, while specific light-exiting surfaces are structured to provide the desired light distribution. This local differentiation of surface properties ensures both high optical quality and homogeneous light exit
3Manufacturing precision
If complex light exit surface geometry is used to achieve legal light distribution, then light distribution compliance is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element features multiple discrete light-exiting surfaces with different orientations and structures, each optimized for specific light distribution requirements. This segmentation allows complex light distribution functions to be achieved through simpler, modular surface geometries that are easier to manufacture while maintaining legal compliance
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 enhances optical efficiency, reduces unnecessary light loss, and simplifies production, while ensuring compliance with legal light distributions, thereby reducing energy consumption and manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
A light source (02), a finger-shaped light guide element (03) and a reflector (07) arranged in the beam path of the light between the light source (02) and the light coupling surface (04) of the finger-shaped light guide element (03). The reflector (07) deflects the light emitted by the light source (02) in the light emission direction in the light coupling direction to the light coupling surface (04) of the finger-shaped light guide element (03).
Implementation Method 2
The light emitted by the at least one light source enters the at least one finger-shaped light guide element exclusively via the light coupling surface (04). Light guidance in the finger-shaped light guide element takes place with virtually no loss by means of total internal reflection (TIR).
Data Source
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AI summary
A light source (01) and a motor vehicle lamp comprising such a light source (01) are described. The light source (01) comprises at least one light source (02) and at least one finger-shaped light guide element (03) with a light coupling surface (04) and a light emission surface (05) distinct from the light coupling surface (04), and one or more side walls (06) connecting the light coupling surface (04) and the light emission surface (05). The light emitted by the at least one light source (02) in its at least one direction of light emission (LA) enters the light guide element (03) exclusively via the light coupling surface (04). The light emission surface (05) of the light guide element (03) is free of light coupling structures.In the light path between the at least one light source (02) and the light coupling surface (04) of the at least one light guide element (03), at least one reflector (07) is arranged. The reflector (07) deflects the light emitted by the at least one light source (02) in its at least one light emission direction (LA) into at least one light coupling direction (LE) towards the light coupling surface (04) of the light guide element (03). The reflector (07) consists of at least two reflector sections (08, 09): a main reflector section (08) and at least one secondary reflector section (09). The main reflector section (08) collimates the light during deflection such that, after entering the light guide element (03), it passes through its light coupling surface (04) without interacting with the side walls (06) and exits through the light emission surface (05).The at least one secondary reflector section (09) deflects the light during the deflection in such a way that, after entering the light guide element through its light coupling surface (04), it interacts once or several times with the side walls (06) under total internal reflection and exits the light exit surface (05) at an angle to the light deflected by the main reflector (09) and propagated through the light guide element (03) without interaction.