Vehicle Headlight Optical Element for Uniform Single-Source Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlights face issues with light scattering and intensity loss due to scattering and reflections at fiber walls, leading to non-uniform illumination, and using multiple light sources is costly and structurally disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
An optical element for vehicle headlights comprising a light guide and a reflective projection made from a single block of material, with specific reflective and collimation surfaces that utilize total internal reflection to direct light rays efficiently, maintaining intensity and homogeneity using a single light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to maintain intensity and homogeneity, then illumination quality is improved, but cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions (collimation, reflection, light guiding) into a single integrated optical element. The light guide and reflective projection are rigidly connected as one piece, eliminating the need for multiple separate components and light sources while maintaining illumination quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element performs multiple functions simultaneously: the light guide transmits light, the reflective projection redirects light rays, and the collimation surface parallelizes light paths. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components.
2Ease of operation
If traditional reflective surfaces are used to direct light rays, then light direction control is improved, but space requirements and construction effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective projection is integrated within or attached to the light guide structure, creating a compact nested arrangement. The optical axis of the light guide intersects both the outlet surface and the collimation surface on the reflective projection, allowing efficient light control in a reduced space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a three-dimensional integrated structure where the reflective projection extends from the light guide. By utilizing spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions and the specific geometric configuration of surfaces, the design achieves effective light control without requiring additional linear space.
3Productivity
If light rays pass through optical fiber, then light transmission is achieved, but light scattering and intensity loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light transmission function from a traditional optical fiber and implements it through a custom-designed light guide with optimized geometry. By removing light rays from the fiber walls and directing them through a controlled path with reflective surfaces, the design minimizes scattering and intensity loss while maintaining transmission efficiency.
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 achieves uniform illumination with reduced light scattering, maintaining high intensity and reducing manufacturing and installation costs by using a compact, single-piece design.
Implementation Method 1
The collimation surface (3) is configured to reflect a portion of the light along the optical axis of the optical fiber (6) directly onto the exit surface (8) and a portion of the light along the optical axis of the optical fiber (6) onto the pair of first reflective surfaces (4)
Implementation Method 2
Each first reflective surface (4) is configured to reflect light from the collimation surface (3) onto a second reflective surface (5)
Implementation Method 3
Each second reflective surface (5) is configured to reflect light from its respective first reflective surface (4) onto the exit surface (8)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The optical element for a vehicle headlight comprises a light guide (6) and a reflective projection (7). The optical element includes an entrance surface (2), a collimation surface (3), a pair of first reflective surfaces (4), and a pair of second reflective surfaces (5). The collimation surface (3) is designed to direct the light entering the optical element. Part of the light is reflected directly onto an exit surface (8) along the optical axis (14) of the light guide (6) on the collimation surface (3), and part of the light is reflected along the optical axis (14) of the light guide (6) onto the pair of first reflective surfaces (4).Each reflective surface of the pair of first reflective surfaces (4) is designed to reflect light from the collimation surface (3) to a second reflective surface (5), and each of the pair of second reflective surfaces (5) is designed to reflect light from its respective first reflective surface (4) to the exit surface (8). The light guide (6) and the reflective projection (7) are made from a single block of material.