Helical Light Guide for Selective Vehicle Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light guides in vehicle lighting systems cannot be selectively illuminated to achieve different light functions, such as dynamic light functions like a wiping direction indicator, due to their inability to change emission characteristics electronically, leading to inefficient use of light sources and non-compliance with legal light distribution requirements.
Innovation Solution
A rod-shaped light guide with specific light deflection structures that allow light from two LEDs to propagate in opposite helical directions, enabling targeted light decoupling structures to control the emission characteristics independently for each LED, allowing for separate illumination of sections and different light functions with a single light guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single light guide is used for multiple light functions, then the number of components is reduced and space is saved, but the light guide cannot be selectively illuminated to achieve different light functions
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple independently controllable sections or regions, each capable of being illuminated separately. This segmentation allows different sections to perform different light functions (e.g., tail light, brake light, direction indicator) simultaneously or sequentially, enabling selective illumination while maintaining a single integrated light guide structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide incorporates dynamic control capabilities through independently controllable light sources or controllable light extraction regions. This allows the illumination characteristics to change dynamically based on the required function, enabling a single light guide to adapt between different light functions (static or dynamic) without requiring multiple separate components.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are arranged to achieve dynamic light functions, then the light distribution requirements are met, but the electrical contacting becomes complex and the structure becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources are integrated into a single light guide structure, merging their functions while maintaining independent controllability. The light guide acts as a common platform that receives light from multiple sources and directs it through different paths or extraction points, simplifying the overall structure and electrical contacting while achieving the required light distribution for dynamic light functions.
3Illumination intensity
If light guides are used to hide light sources, then the illumination homogeneity is improved, but the ability to selectively illuminate different sections is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide incorporates regions with different optical properties along its length, such as varying light extraction characteristics or localized light coupling points. This allows different sections to have tailored illumination characteristics while maintaining overall homogeneity within each section, enabling selective illumination of specific regions for different light functions while preserving the homogeneous appearance where needed.
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 enables efficient use of light sources, reduces the number of components needed, and allows for compliance with legal light distribution requirements by allowing separate control of light functions like tail lights, brake lights, and direction indicators with a single light guide, enhancing road safety and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
Light guides are often used for light functions in vehicles, which form light elements for the observer when looking from outside the vehicle light onto the lens or through it
Implementation Method 2
first light deflection structures, for example light coupling in or light out coupling, and with second light deflection structures, for example light coupling in or light out coupling structures, for light propagating in different directions inside the light guide
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3c
AI summary
A light guide (01), a lighting element comprising such a light guide, and a method for selectively illuminating a corresponding light guide (01) are described. The light guide (01) comprises first light deflection structures (02) and second light deflection structures (03) for light propagating in different directions within the light guide (01). The first light deflection structures (02) are configured to propagate tangentially to the inner circumference of the light guide (01) in a clockwise helical pattern. The second light deflection structures (03) are configured to propagate tangentially to the inner circumference of the light guide (01) in a counterclockwise helical pattern. The light propagating within the light guide (01) and directed to the different light deflection structures (02, 03) intersects.The light deflection structures (02, 03), designed for light propagating in a helical rotation in one direction, are at least parallel to the light propagating in a helical rotation in the opposite direction. The illuminating element comprises at least two light sources that feed the light they emit into the optical fiber (01) with opposite helical rotation directions. The light from the light sources is fed into the optical fiber (01) tangentially in the cross-section and at opposite angles in the longitudinal section. The method provides for the selective illumination of the optical fiber (01) depending on which light source is feeding light into the optical fiber (01).