Illuminated Vehicle Grille with Light Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Exterior vehicle lighting applications require innovative solutions to provide both functional lighting and stylistic elements, as existing technologies lack effective illumination methods that integrate seamlessly with vehicle grilles while maintaining structural integrity and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle grille assembly featuring a light-transmissive design with integrated light guides and photoluminescent portions, optically coupled to light sources, which emit light to illuminate the grille and provide both forward and rearward lighting, including the use of optical fibers and photoluminescent materials that luminesce in response to excitation, offering customizable color options and sustained illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are integrated into the vehicle grille assembly, then illumination functionality and stylistic appeal are improved, but structural integrity and manufacturing complexity may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide assembly with the grille structure by integrating light guides into the grille's internal cavities and coupling them with photoluminescent materials directly on the grille surface. This merging approach allows the grille to serve dual functions: structural air intake and illuminated styling element, thereby improving illumination functionality while managing manufacturing complexity through integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The grille assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it maintains structural integrity for air intake, incorporates light guides for illumination, and uses photoluminescent materials for stylistic effect. This multi-functionality approach allows a single component to deliver illumination functionality, structural support, and aesthetic appeal without requiring separate dedicated parts
2Duration of action of moving object
If photoluminescent materials are used in the grille, then sustained illumination and stylistic appeal are improved, but manufacturing precision requirements may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The photoluminescent materials are pre-applied to the grille surface during the manufacturing process, and the light guides are pre-positioned in their final locations within the grille structure. This preliminary action ensures that when the assembly is complete, the photoluminescent materials are optimally positioned to receive light from the light guides, achieving sustained illumination while managing precision requirements through pre-planned integration
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes photoluminescent materials that convert absorbed light into visible emission at different wavelengths, creating color transformation effects. This allows the grille to display different colors or luminous patterns based on the excitation light source, enhancing stylistic appeal and sustained illumination functionality while the materials' inherent properties handle the precision of light conversion
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 provides enhanced visibility and stylistic appeal by offering uniform and customizable illumination, with photoluminescent materials providing sustained light emission, enhancing both functional lighting and the vehicle's aesthetic, while maintaining structural integrity through the use of light-transmissive and photoluminescent components.
Implementation Method 1
a light-transmissive grille having a photoluminescent portion. A plurality of light guides are contained within the grille and are optically coupled to the photoluminescent portion
Implementation Method 2
At least one light guide is contained within the grille and a light source is configured to supply light to the at least one light guide to illuminate the grille
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle grille assembly is provided herein and includes a light-transmissive grille. At least one light guide is contained within the grille and a light source is configured to supply light to the at least one light guide to illuminate the grille.