Flexible Light Guide Rod for Curved Automotive Trim
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination devices for automobiles, particularly those installed on door trims, face challenges in achieving uniform luminance distribution and design quality due to the curved shape of the interior members, which limits their ability to provide fine luminance control and is costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device comprising a flexible, elongated light guide rod sandwiched between a housing and a lens, both formed in a curved shape to conform to the interior member, allowing for directional emission and fine luminance control without the need for complex processing like three-dimensional laser dotting, with abutting portions arranged in a staggered manner to distribute stress and prevent anomalous emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a soft tube-like light guide member (optical fiber) is used to conform to the curved shape of the interior member, then the light guide can follow the curved surface, but the degree of freedom in varying luminance is low and fine luminance control is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is segmented into multiple light emitting sections along its length, with each section capable of independent luminance control. This segmentation allows different portions of the curved surface to have different luminance levels, achieving fine luminance distribution control while maintaining conformity to the curved interior member shape.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the light guide member are assigned different optical properties and luminance characteristics according to the local requirements of the curved surface. Each section can be optimized for its specific position, allowing the overall system to conform to the curved shape while providing varied and controlled luminance distribution across different locations.
2Manufacturing precision
If a light guide member with curved shape is produced by injection molding to achieve fine luminance control, then luminance distribution can be controlled, but the manufacturing cost increases and complex processing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is designed as a linear rod that is segmented into multiple independently controllable light emitting sections. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing compared to forming a complex curved shape in one piece, while still achieving fine luminance control through electronic control of each section. The linear shape with segmented functionality reduces molding complexity while maintaining manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The linear light guide rod serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides light along its length, and can be bent to conform to curved surfaces while maintaining its light guiding capability. This multi-functionality reduces the need for complex specialized components, simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired luminance control and shape conformity.
3Ease of manufacture
If a linear light guide rod is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but it cannot conform to the curved shape of the interior member
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide rod is designed with flexible properties that allow it to dynamically adapt its shape. While manufactured as a linear rod for simplicity, it can be bent and deformed to conform to the curved interior member surface during installation. This dynamic adaptability allows the same linear component to achieve both manufacturing simplicity and shape conformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide rod utilizes flexible material properties similar to flexible optical waveguides, allowing it to be bent and shaped to conform to curved surfaces without breaking or losing its light guiding capability. This flexibility enables a linearly manufactured component to achieve curved shape conformity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
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 low-cost, simple configuration with high freedom in luminance distribution and reduced nonuniformity, maintaining design quality while achieving gradation emission with a recognizable brightness and darkness gradient, enhancing occupant visibility and design aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated light guide rod (3) on which light emitted from the light source (2) is made incident
Implementation Method 2
a lens (4) that scatters light emitted from the light guide rod (3)
Data Source
AI summary
The illumination device includes a light source; an elongated light guide rod on which light emitted from the light source is made incident; a housing that houses the light guide rod; and a lens that scatters light emitted from the light guide rod, the light guide rod being flexible and formed in a substantially linear shape, and having a surface on which an emission pattern for emitting light in a specific direction is provided, the housing and the lens are being formed in a curved shape in conformity with a shape of the interior member, and the light guide rod being provided in the interior member in a state of being bent in a curved shape by being sandwiched between the housing and the lens.