Headlight Light Guide Optics Using Radial Light Deflection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices for motor vehicle headlights require multiple light sources to uniformly illuminate the light entry surface, increasing manufacturing costs and energy consumption while reducing luminous homogeneity due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a second optical element that deflects light from the light guide to uniformly illuminate the entire light entry surface of a first optical element, using a rod-shaped light guide with deflection surfaces and a holding element to secure the light guide, and a second optical element to fan out light rays radially, eliminating the need for additional light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to uniformly illuminate the light entry surface, then uniform illumination is achieved, but manufacturing costs and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
A second optical element is introduced as an intermediary between the light guide and the first optical element. This second optical element redistributes the light from the light guide to achieve uniform illumination across the entire light entry surface of the first optical element, eliminating the need for multiple separate light sources while maintaining illumination uniformity.
2Illumination intensity
If the light guide is extended to illuminate the edge region, then complete illumination is achieved, but space constraints are violated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of extending the light guide in one dimension (length), the solution uses a second optical element to redirect light in a different spatial dimension. The second optical element angles the light rays to reach edge regions that would otherwise require a much longer light guide, effectively using spatial redirection rather than linear extension.
3Illumination intensity
If several light sources are used to ensure complete illumination, then illumination completeness is improved, but luminous homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The second optical element is designed to create homogeneous light distribution across the light entry surface. By using a single light guide with controlled light extraction and redirection through the second optical element, the system maintains consistent luminous properties across the entire illuminated area, avoiding the heterogeneity that would result from multiple discrete light sources.
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
Achieves uniform illumination of the light entry surface without additional light sources, reducing manufacturing costs and energy consumption, while maintaining luminous homogeneity and space efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
the deflection elements can, for example have prismatic structures and use total internal reflection for light deflection
Implementation Method 2
a second optical element, which is arranged between the exit section of the light guide and the light entry surface of the first optical element and is configured to deflect the light that exits the exit section of the light guide in such a way that the light, after passing through the second optical element, strikes the entire first section and the entire second section of the light entry surface of the first optical element
Data Source
AI summary
Illumination device (1) for a motor vehicle headlight, comprising an illuminant (2) and a light guide (3), wherein the light from the illuminant (2) enters the light guide (3) and exits via an exit section (3a), a first optical element (4) with a light entry surface and a light exit surface associated with the light entry surface, wherein light from the light guide (3) can enter the first optical element (4) via the light entry surface and exit via the light exit surface, wherein the light entry surface has a first section (4a) and at least one second section (4b) adjoining the first section, wherein the illumination device (1) has a second optical element (5) between the exit section (3a) and the light entry surface (4a, 4b), which is configured to deflect the light that exits the light guide (3) in such a way that the light, after passing through the second optical element (5), strikes the entire first section (4a) and the entire second section (4b) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4).