Vehicle Glazing with Electroluminescent Light and Collimating Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle glazing with external light signaling technologies face challenges in integration and manufacturing efficiency, particularly in achieving effective light distribution and thickness optimization for brake lights and turn signals.
Innovation Solution
The use of a vehicle glazing system incorporating an electroluminescent light source with collimating and redirection optics, comprising a combination of transparent plastic films with textured patterns and prismatic structures, to optimize light emission and distribution for external signaling, while maintaining a thin and compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional light signaling integration methods are used, then light distribution can be achieved, but integration quality and manufacturing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (collimation, redirection, light emission) into a single integrated glazing assembly. The electroluminescent element, collimating optics, and redirection optics are merged into one unit that forms part of the vehicle glazing, eliminating the need for separate lighting components and improving both integration quality and manufacturing efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing assembly serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural transparency, light emission for signaling, collimation for directional control, and redirection for optimized light distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
2Strength
If thicker materials are used for light signaling components, then structural integrity and light emission are improved, but overall glazing thickness and manufacturing complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs thin film optical layers with microstructured patterns (prismatic structures, collimating patterns) that provide robust optical functionality without requiring thick materials. These thin films achieve structural integrity and light control functions while maintaining minimal thickness, thereby reducing overall glazing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The glazing assembly uses composite structures combining transparent substrates with thin optical films and electroluminescent elements. This composite approach allows each layer to contribute specific functions (structural support, optical control, light emission) without requiring any single material to be excessively thick, thus reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining strength.
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 solution enhances the effectiveness and visibility of external light signaling, ensuring compliance with standards while reducing material thickness and manufacturing complexity, resulting in a more efficient and integrated lighting system for vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
collimating optics, having a rear face on the exit surface side and a so-called collimating front face opposite to the back side
Implementation Method 2
a light source, which is an electroluminescent element, side face F2 and capable of emitting the external signaling light
Implementation Method 3
The collimating optic comprises, and even is, an optical film, preferably plastic... in particular a film partially textured in its thickness, or as an alternative composite film comprising a transparent support... smooth with a transparent overlayer textured partially or entirely in thickness
Data Source
Figure 1~1'a
Figure 1i~1l
Figure 1X~1Z
AI summary
The present invention relates to exterior light signalling vehicle glazing (1000) selected from a rear window and a side window or a windshield, comprising: - a first glazing (1') which forms an outer glazing and has first and second main faces (11', 12'), referred to as face F1 and face F2, respectively; - a superficially light emitting element such as an OLED or QLED; - a holographic redirecting optical system or collimating optical system with one or more optical films followed by a redirecting optical system with one or more optical films.