Infinity Effect Motor Vehicle Signaling Light Using Parallel Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to create a compact motor vehicle signaling light system that provides both depth and relief while maintaining an infinity effect, which is difficult to achieve with reduced volume lighting, and to add styling effects to vehicle signaling lights.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising an optical assembly with a mirror, a semi-transparent mirror, and a curtain diffuser made of transparent material, where the light emitted by LEDs is diffused and reflected to create an infinity effect, integrated into a cylindrical module, allowing for spatial variability of images and adjustable transparency for different style effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the volume of signaling light boxes is reduced to meet regulatory requirements, then the device size is minimized, but the ability to provide depth and relief to the lighting is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces multiple reflectors arranged in a spatial configuration with different orientations (first reflector, second reflector, third reflector at 45 degrees) to create light paths that extend in multiple dimensions. This multi-dimensional light routing creates the perception of depth and relief without increasing the physical volume of the signaling light box.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses reflectors as intermediary elements between the light source and the observer. These reflectors mediate the light paths, creating virtual images that provide depth perception. The reflectors act as intermediaries that transform direct light into multi-directional reflected light, generating the infinity effect within a compact volume.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional lamps are used in signaling lights, then the lighting provides adequate illumination, but the device volume increases and styling flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional incandescent lamps with LED light sources. LEDs provide equivalent or superior illumination intensity while occupying significantly less space. This substitution enables the use of compact signaling light boxes that meet regulatory volume requirements while maintaining adequate lighting performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the light source by transitioning from thermal radiation (incandescent) to electroluminescence (LED). This parameter change allows for smaller, more energy-efficient light sources that can be integrated into compact signaling light boxes with reduced volume while maintaining illumination requirements.
3Illumination intensity
If fully reflecting mirrors are used to create infinity effect, then the reflection intensity is maximized, but the styling flexibility and light control are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different reflector properties to different locations within the optical assembly. The first reflector, second reflector, and third reflector have different orientations and potentially different reflectivity characteristics, allowing localized optimization of light control in different areas to achieve both intensity and styling goals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamic light control system where multiple reflectors at different angles (including 45 degrees) work together to distribute light in various directions. This dynamic arrangement allows the same optical assembly to provide both strong reflection intensity and styling flexibility by controlling the direction and distribution of reflected light.
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 achieves an original style effect with depth and relief, providing an infinity appearance that is consistent regardless of viewing distance, while also meeting regulatory requirements for motor vehicle lighting, and can be electronically controlled for varying light intensity.
Implementation Method 1
a curtain diffuser (D1) made of transparent material in which is diffused a light emitted by at least one LED
Implementation Method 2
an optical assembly of at least a first reflector (R1) consisting of a mirror
Implementation Method 3
at least one second reflector (R2) consisting of a semi-transparent mirror, said light transmitted and/or reflected by said optical assembly being transmitted and visible to the observer
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The device, advantageously modular, comprises at least one LED or similar type light source, and comprises an optical assembly of at least one first reflector (R1) consisting of a mirror (1) and of at least one second reflector (R2) consisting of a semi-transparent mirror (2), and as an option a curtain diffuser (D1) made of a transparent material (4) in which a light emitted by at least one LED (3, 5) is diffused, whereas the mirror, the semi-transparent mirror and the curtain have their planes or their mid-planes substantially mutually parallel, and whereas the light transmitted and/or reflected by said optical assembly is transmitted and visible by the observer through the opposite face of said second reflector (R2) from that turned towards the other elements of said optical assembly. Application for procuring a signature with infinity effect and/or relief effect in a signalling and/or lighting light.