Flexible LED Light Strip for Vehicle Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle light sources are limited in flexibility and customization, as they require predefined optics to achieve specific light patterns, which restricts their adaptability and manufacturing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle light assembly featuring flexible lighting strips with bendable LEDs, a light guiding structure, and a coupling mechanism that allows for 3D configuration, enabling uniform light emission and customizable light patterns without separate lighting modules or electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional vehicle light sources use predefined optics to achieve specific light patterns, then the light pattern definition is fixed and reliable, but the flexibility and adaptability for customization is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source (LEDs) and the optical shaping function into a single integrated flexible lighting strip. The LEDs are mounted on a flexible substrate that can be bent into various shapes, eliminating the need for separate lighting modules and predefined optics. This integration allows the same component to serve both as the light source and the optical element, achieving customization without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate allows the lighting strip to be dynamically configured into different shapes and orientations after manufacturing. Unlike rigid predefined optics, the flexible nature enables the same physical component to adapt to various light pattern requirements by changing its spatial configuration, thereby achieving versatility without requiring multiple fixed designs.
2Productivity
If conventional vehicle light sources require separate lighting modules for different light patterns, then each light pattern is precisely defined, but the manufacturing efficiency and cost are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible lighting strip is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple functions and configurations. The same strip can be bent into different shapes, mounted in various orientations, and configured to produce different light patterns without requiring separate manufacturing processes or additional components. This multi-functionality enables a single standardized part to replace multiple specialized modules, improving manufacturing efficiency while maintaining customization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into standardized flexible strips with discrete LEDs that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows for modular assembly where strips can be cut, joined, and configured to create custom light patterns while maintaining efficient standardized manufacturing of the individual strip units.
3Adaptability or versatility
If flexible lighting strips are bent around multiple axes for complex configurations, then the adaptability for complex light patterns is improved, but the mechanical stress and potential reliability issues increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible substrate (thin film) to mount the LEDs, allowing the light strip to be bent into complex three-dimensional configurations. The flexible nature of the substrate enables adaptation to various mounting surfaces and light pattern requirements while distributing mechanical stress across the entire strip rather than concentrating it at specific points, thereby maintaining reliability despite complex bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate's mechanical properties are optimized to allow bending around multiple axes within specific radius limits. By controlling the minimum bending radius and material properties, the system achieves sufficient configuration flexibility for complex light patterns while preventing excessive stress that would compromise the LED joints and electrical connections, thus balancing adaptability with reliability.
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 flexible lighting strips provide homogeneous, directional light emission across a wide range, allowing for complex light patterns and reduced manufacturing costs through standard component usage, enhancing adaptability and customization in vehicle lighting applications.
Implementation Method 1
a light guiding structure comprising a light receiving surface and a primary light emission surface, wherein the light receiving surface is arranged to receive light emitted by the flexible lighting strip, wherein the primary light emission surface is arranged to emit at least a part of the light received via the light receiving surface
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle light assembly comprising: a flexible lighting strip comprising a multitude of light-emitting diodes, wherein the flexible lighting strip is arranged to be bent around at least two, more preferred three linear independent axes; a light guiding structure comprising a light receiving surface and a primary light emission surface, wherein the light receiving surface receives light emitted by the flexible lighting strip, wherein the primary light emission surface emits at least a part of the light received via the light receiving surface, and wherein the light receiving surface is arranged to define a bending of the flexible lighting strip; a coupling structure that is arranged to mechanically couple the flexible lighting strip to the light receiving surface in accordance with the bending defined by the light receiving surface. The invention further describes a vehicle rear light or vehicle front light comprising the vehicle light assembly.