Flat Light-Guiding Element With Decoupling Means For Side Marker Function
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal lights for motor vehicles lack a side marker light function while meeting legal requirements for light intensity distribution, limiting their functionality to primarily tail and brake lights.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a flat light-guiding element with decoupling means that emit light components to achieve a 'light curtain' effect, allowing for a side marker function by adjusting the number and size of decoupling elements along the light guide to ensure compliant light distribution, including a red cover plate for stylistic and functional purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a flat light-guiding element is arranged in front of the reflector in the main emission direction, then the tail light function is achieved with homogeneous light emission, but the side marker light function cannot be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The flat light-guiding element is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as a light guide for the tail light function while simultaneously enabling the side marker light function through its extension into the side area. By strategically positioning decoupling means at specific locations (front part of outer section and rear end part of outer section), the same light guide structure generates different light beam components for different light functions, eliminating the need for separate light guide elements for each function.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide element extends into the side area to provide side marker function, then light distribution compliance is achieved, but light intensity distribution control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the flat light-guiding element are assigned different functions through strategic placement of decoupling means. The front part of the outer section generates light beam components for side marker function, while the rear end part of the outer section generates light beam components for tail light function. This local differentiation allows precise control of light intensity distribution in different directions from a single integrated structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling means are designed with varying parameters (position, size, shape, density) along the length of the light guide element to control light extraction. By adjusting these parameters at different locations, the light intensity distribution is optimized to meet legal requirements for both side marker and tail light functions simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If decoupling means are arranged along the light guide element to control light distribution, then legal compliance is achieved, but homogeneous light emission is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The decoupling means are non-uniformly distributed along the light guide element, with specific concentrations at the front part of the outer section and rear end part of the outer section. This non-uniform distribution creates different light extraction characteristics at different locations, enabling compliance with legal light distribution requirements while maintaining an acceptable overall homogeneous appearance through the extended light curtain effect.
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 enables a homogeneous 'light curtain' effect that extends into the side area of the vehicle, meeting legal requirements for side marker light intensity while maintaining a homogeneous overall impression and ensuring compliance with light distribution thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitted by them is coupled in on the narrow side of the light-guiding element and then totally reflected on a flat front side and an opposite flat rear side
Implementation Method 2
the decoupling means are designed as light-scattering decoupling elements, which are arranged on a front side and/or on a rear side of the planar light-guiding element
Data Source
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AI summary
The lamp has a flat light guiding element (6) with inner and outer sections (20, 21). A decoupling unit is assigned to the element, such that a light bundle portion (L1) is decoupled from the element in a part of the inner section and/or the outer section. Luminous intensity of the portion lies above a given threshold value i.e. side marking light threshold value. Another light bundle portion (L2) is decoupled from the element in an end-side rear part of the outer section. Luminous intensity of the latter portion lies below another given threshold value i.e. maximum luminous intensity value. The decoupling unit is designed as light dispersing decoupling elements, which are designed as marking surfaces or as ball-shaped or prism-shaped surface sections.