Hidden Vehicle Lighting Lens With Rotating Multi-Function Light Source

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle headlights are fixed and visible, requiring additional lighting means for communication signals and welcome/goodbye motions, which is inefficient and unsightly.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a hidden light source unit embedded in a lens unit, featuring a first lens unit for light transmission and a second lens unit for concealment, along with a light rotation mechanism and detection units for environmental awareness, providing customizable lighting and auditory signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the light source is fixed and visible, then the lighting function is simple and reliable, but additional lighting means must be added for communication signals and welcome/goodbye motions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting function versatilityVSAvoidlighting means quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the communication lighting signal function and welcome/goodbye motion lighting function with the basic illumination function into a single integrated lighting device. The light source unit can perform multiple functions by changing its position and illumination direction, eliminating the need for separate lighting means.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light source unit is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing it to change its position and illumination direction dynamically. This enables the same hardware to serve multiple purposes: basic illumination when facing forward, communication signals when positioned laterally, and welcome/goodbye motions through sequential activation patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Shape

If the light source is fixed and visible, then the structure is simple, but the aesthetic appearance is compromised due to visible internal components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidlens unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested lens structure where a second lens unit is disposed inside the first lens unit. The second lens unit can cover the first lens unit to hide the light source unit and internal components, providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. When needed, the second lens unit can be retracted to allow light transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens unit employs different optical properties in different regions: the first lens unit is designed for light transmission with specific optical characteristics, while the second lens unit is designed for concealment with opaque or diffusing properties. This local differentiation allows the same component to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the light source unit rotates to change illumination direction, then multiple lighting functions are achieved, but the mechanism complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination direction controlVSAvoidlight rotation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is segmented into functionally independent light source units that can be independently controlled and positioned. Each light source unit can rotate or be positioned independently to achieve different illumination directions, allowing for simplified control mechanisms compared to a single complex movable assembly.

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

Enhances vehicle visibility and communication through hidden lighting, ensuring aesthetic integration and adaptive functionality for various driving scenarios.

Implementation Method 1

a light source unit embedded in the lens unit and hidden in the lens unit or configured to radiate light to the lens unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a first lens unit exposed to the outside and configured to transmit the light that is radiated by the light source unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Lens

Implementation Method 3

a second lens unit disposed inside the first lens unit and configured to cover the first lens unit so that the inside of the first lens unit is invisible to the naked eye

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4385820B1Lighting device and method for vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.08.06 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP4385820B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4385820B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4385820B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a vehicle. The lighting device (1) includes a lens unit (20) mounted on a vehicle body (100) and a light source unit (30) embedded in the lens unit (20) and hidden in the lens unit (10) or configured to radiate light to the lens unit (20). The light source unit (30) may disappear from an outside view, and may provide driving lighting if necessary.