Illuminating Device with Edge-Structured Screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional translucent screens in lighting devices, such as those used in vehicles, lack diversity in terms of shapes and stylistic effects due to uniform illumination, and often have low intensity due to photon distribution over large surfaces, or are slender with limited styling options as only exit faces are fully illuminated.
Innovation Solution
The proposed optical unit features a translucent screen with selectively illuminated edges, utilizing three-dimensional structures like prisms and gadroons on rear faces to direct photons towards specific areas, creating non-uniform illumination patterns and enhancing stylistic effects, while a wall with a parabolic profile transfers photons from light sources to edges for controlled illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the screen is fully illuminated to provide uniform lighting, then the lighting function is fulfilled, but the stylistic diversity and shape variety are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the illumination function by introducing a mask that selectively blocks light in certain areas while allowing it in others. Instead of uniform illumination across the entire screen, the mask divides the light distribution into illuminated and non-illuminated zones, enabling both lighting functionality and stylistic expression through the masked patterns
Solution Approach 2:
The mask creates local quality variations by allowing light to pass through specific regions while blocking others. This enables different parts of the screen to have different optical properties - some areas are illuminated for lighting function, while other areas remain dark or partially illuminated for stylistic effect, thus achieving both uniform lighting where needed and stylistic diversity where required
2Area of stationary object
If photons are distributed over a large surface area, then the coverage is improved, but the lighting intensity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mask segments the screen surface into zones with different light transmission properties. By concentrating photons in specific unmasked regions rather than distributing them uniformly across the entire large surface, the invention maintains high illumination intensity in the illuminated zones while still providing adequate coverage through strategic placement of these zones
Solution Approach 2:
The mask acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the screen. It mediates the photon distribution by selectively transmitting and blocking light, thereby concentrating photons in specific areas to maintain high intensity while still covering the necessary surface area for the lighting function
3Length of stationary object
If the screen is made slender to reduce size, then the compactness is improved, but the stylistic options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The mask introduces segmentation that creates visual complexity and stylistic variety without increasing the physical dimensions of the screen. By patterning the light distribution, the mask enables diverse stylistic effects (such as illuminated borders, central zones, or specific geometric patterns) while the screen itself remains slender and compact
Solution Approach 2:
The mask enables optical 'color' or brightness variations across the screen surface by selectively transmitting light. This creates perceived visual diversity and stylistic effects through brightness contrast between illuminated and non-illuminated areas, achieving stylistic variety without adding physical volume or complexity to the screen structure
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 provides diversity in shapes and stylistic effects by selectively illuminating edges, increasing lighting intensity and homogeneity, and avoiding 'hot spots', thus enhancing photometric and decorative functions in lighting devices.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of these lateral edges may comprise on its rear face first three-dimensional structures which constitute prisms capable of totally reflecting photons
Implementation Method 2
having at least one zone having a parabolic profile suitable for totally reflecting photons, which come from an associated light source, towards this connecting edge according to the second general direction
Data Source
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AI summary
An illuminating device (D) comprises a screen (EC), comprising front (FV) and back sides bounded by edges (B1-B4) having opposite ends, and at least one photon-generating light source. At least one of the edges (B1-B3) comprises, on the back side, first three-dimensional structures (ST1) suitable for totally reflecting photons, issued from one of its ends or from a central portion, toward the front side (FV) so that they exit via this edge (B1-B3).