Automotive Headlight Light Guide Plate Uniform Beam

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive headlamp low beam systems face challenges in achieving a uniform beam shape due to high intensity requirements, which is difficult to manufacture effectively.

Innovation Solution

A light guide plate with a front surface for exiting light, a rear surface for introducing a first light beam, and a side surface for a second light beam, featuring concave structures that refract the first light beam downwards and reflect the second light beam forwards, creating a uniform output pattern when both beams are activated.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light guide plate is used to homogenize light distribution, then uniformity of illumination is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases due to the need for precise concave structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of light distributionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity of concave structures
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the geometric parameters of the light guide plate by introducing concave structures with specific dimensions and arrangements. These parameter modifications enable the light guide plate to refract and reflect light effectively, achieving uniform illumination while maintaining manufacturability through standardized design parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies curved surfaces by incorporating concave structures into the light guide plate design. These curved geometric features enable light refraction and reflection to achieve homogeneous illumination distribution, transforming the light pattern from non-uniform to uniform through geometric optical effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are combined to achieve uniform beam pattern, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam pattern uniformityVSAvoidcomplexity of multi-light source system
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple light sources (low beam light source and daytime running lamp) into a single integrated light guide plate structure. The light guide plate receives light from multiple sources and combines them through its internal optical structures, achieving uniform beam pattern while simplifying the overall device architecture compared to separate lighting systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide plate serves multiple functions: it guides light from the low beam source, receives and redirects light from the daytime running lamp, and produces a uniform combined beam pattern. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate optical systems for different lighting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 ensures a uniform output light beam pattern when viewed from above the cut-off line of the low beam, preventing glare and maintaining uniformity both at near and distant distances.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of concave structures at the rear surface thereof for refracting the light of the first light beam (usually the low beam) downwards towards the ground

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

for reflecting the second light beam (usually the light beam from a daytime running lamp or a front position lamp) forwards towards the front surface of the light guide plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3559545B1Light emitting module with light guide plate for automotive headlight
Publication Date: 2023.04.26 LUMILEDS LLC
  • EP3559545B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3559545B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3559545B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention provides a light emitting module with a light guide plate (100) for an automotive headlight, which light guide plate (100) includes a front surface (120) for exiting light; a rear surface (110) positioned opposite to the front surface (120) and used as a first light incidence surface for introducing a first light beam (310); and a side surface (130) positioned at a side of the light guide plate (100) and used as a second light incidence surface for introducing a second light beam (210). The light guide plate (100) has a number of concave structures (160) at the rear surface (110) thereof for refracting the first light beam (310) downwards towards the ground and for reflecting the second light beam (210) forwards towards the front surface (120) of the light guide plate (100). The overall output light beam pattern according to the present invention would appear to be uniform.