Flexible Light Pipe Assembly for Curved Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lights and lighted accessory units face challenges in flexibility and independent control of illumination, as they often require rigid mounting and lack the ability to be curved or deformed for mounting on non-standard surfaces, and they do not allow for efficient distribution of light to multiple areas.
Innovation Solution
A flexible, clear light pipe assembly comprising multiple layers of thin, light-transmitting polymer sheets with reflective and light-emitting areas, allowing for independent control of illumination and the ability to be curved or deformed for mounting on various surfaces, using LEDs encapsulated in a light-transmitting material and connected to a light engine that directs light through the sheets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If rigid light guides are used, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but adaptability to curved surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film light guides made from flexible polymer materials that can be bent and deformed to conform to curved and irregular surfaces. These thin films maintain optical functionality while providing the necessary flexibility, directly resolving the contradiction between rigidity for light transmission and flexibility for surface adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the light guide by using materials with different flexibility characteristics and adjusting the thickness of the light guiding layer. This allows optimization of both light transmission efficiency and adaptability to different mounting surfaces.
2Ease of operation
If multiple separate light sources are used for independent control of illumination areas, then independent control capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light guide into multiple functional zones with different optical properties (reflective areas, light emitting areas, light absorbing areas) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows different illumination areas to be controlled independently through a single integrated light source or multiple LEDs, reducing complexity while maintaining control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide are given different local optical characteristics (reflective, emitting, or absorbing properties) to enable independent control of illumination areas. This local differentiation allows selective activation of specific zones without requiring separate light sources for each area.
3Adaptability or versatility
If thin flexible light guiding sheets are used, then adaptability to flexible surfaces is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite structures combining thin flexible polymer substrates with deposited optical layers (metallic reflective layers, light-absorbing materials). This composite approach maintains flexibility while improving manufacturing precision through controlled deposition processes that ensure consistent optical properties across the thin film structure.
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 light pipe assembly provides efficient illumination control and can be mounted on curved or flexible surfaces, offering customizable lighting effects and improved adaptability in automotive and non-automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
The sheets receive light from the light source and internally reflect the light to thereby guide the light through the sheets
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible light assembly includes a plurality of light guides that may be operably connected to one or more LED light sources. The light guides may include smooth surfaces that internally reflect light except at selected areas having irregular surface features that permit the escape of light to provide illuminated letters, numbers, designs, or the like. The light guides and LED light source may be disposed within a flexible housing.