Vehicle Headlight Reflecting Member for Wide Light Distribution

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle lighting devices using LEDs suffer from limited light distribution, resulting in a 'dark' impression and reduced visibility, while adding new light sources increases component costs.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a reflecting member with multiple surfaces to redirect and diffuse LED light, allowing wider light distribution without additional light sources, including a first reflecting surface, a second reflecting surface that faces the LED light source, and a third reflecting surface that faces opposite to the LED light source, enhancing design and visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If an LED light source is used to radiate light in one direction, then light directivity is improved, but the illuminated portion is narrowed and the overall lighting effect deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight directivityVSAvoidilluminated portion
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflecting member is divided into multiple independent reflecting surfaces (first, second, and third reflecting surfaces) with different orientations. Each surface segment reflects light in a specific direction, collectively covering a wider area than a single directional LED source could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from one-dimensional directional light emission to three-dimensional omnidirectional light distribution by arranging reflecting surfaces in multiple spatial orientations. The first reflecting surface faces upward, the second faces the LED source, and the third faces opposite the LED source, creating comprehensive light coverage in all directions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If a light source is added to improve visibility, then visibility is improved, but component costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidcomponent costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The LED light source serves multiple functions simultaneously by illuminating multiple reflecting surfaces that redirect light in various directions. The single LED source effectively performs the work of multiple light sources through the clever arrangement of reflecting surfaces, eliminating the need for additional light emitting components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The reflecting member acts as an intermediary that redirects light from the single LED source to multiple directions. Instead of adding more light sources, the patent uses reflective surfaces as mediators to distribute light omnidirectionally, achieving the visibility improvement without increasing light source count.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If a single reflecting surface is used, then device complexity is reduced, but light distribution coverage is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereflecting member structureVSAvoidlight coverage area
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The reflecting member is divided into multiple independent reflecting surfaces (first, second, and third reflecting surfaces) with different orientations. Each surface segment reflects light in a specific direction, collectively covering a wider area than a single directional LED source could provide alone.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 configuration improves the design and visibility of vehicle lighting devices by providing wider light coverage without increasing component costs, ensuring consistent and efficient light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a first reflecting surface configured to reflect light radiated from the LED light source toward outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a second reflecting surface that is provided in the radiation direction of the LED light source with respect to the LED light source and that is configured to reflect light radiated from the LED light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a third reflecting surface that faces a side opposite to the LED light source and that is configured to reflect light reflected by the second reflecting surface toward outside

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3594564B1Lighting device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP3594564B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3594564B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3594564B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A headlight (50) includes an LED light source (60), a substrate (64) on which the LED light source (60) is mounted, and a reflecting member (53) configured to reflect light radiated from the LED light source (60). The reflecting member (53) includes a reflector (70) that is provided in a radiation direction of the LED light source (60) with respect to the LED light source (60) and that has a first reflecting surface (72) configured to reflect light radiated from the LED light source (60) toward outside, a second reflecting surface (82) that is provided in the radiation direction of the LED light source (60) with respect to the LED light source (60) and that is configured to reflect light radiated from the LED light source (60), the second reflecting surface (82) being separately provided from the first reflecting surface (72), and a third reflecting surface (85) that faces a side opposite to the LED light source (60) and that is configured to reflect the light reflected by the second reflecting surface (82) toward outside.