Vehicle Instrument Cluster Optical Compensation for Uniform Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current instrument cluster designs require dedicated light-guiding elements and manufacturing processes for different configurations, leading to increased costs and manufacturing times due to the need for custom recesses and LED source positioning, which results in non-ideal light distribution and uniformity.
Innovation Solution
An instrument cluster with an optical compensation system using concave and convex lens surfaces on the light-guiding element's rear face, creating a gap between elements to allow for uniform light distribution without additional components, enabling the same light-guiding element to be used across various configurations by adjusting light intensity through curvature and surface treatments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If dedicated light-guiding elements with custom recesses are manufactured for different instrument cluster configurations, then lighting uniformity across graphic areas is improved, but manufacturing complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light-guiding element into two separate functional components: a standard light-guiding element with uniform structure and an optical compensation element with position-specific optical properties. This segmentation allows the light-guiding element to be standardized while the compensation element addresses specific lighting uniformity requirements for different graphic area configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an optical compensation element as an intermediary component between the light source and the graphic areas. This element acts as a mediator that modifies light distribution without requiring changes to the standard light-guiding element structure, thereby achieving lighting uniformity while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Illumination intensity
If dedicated light-guiding elements are manufactured for each instrument cluster type, then lighting distribution is optimized, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the light-guiding function from the optical compensation function into distinct components. The standard light-guiding element can be mass-produced using conventional processes, while the optical compensation element is added separately to achieve position-specific light distribution optimization without extending the manufacturing cycle of the main component.
Solution Approach 2:
The standard light-guiding element is designed with universal applicability across different instrument cluster configurations. By making the light-guiding element configuration-independent and using an optical compensation element to handle position-specific requirements, the same light-guiding element can serve multiple graphic area arrangements, thereby reducing manufacturing time.
3Manufacturing precision
If the light-guiding element structure is customized for different graphic area positions, then lighting precision is improved, but adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the lighting system into a standardized light-guiding element and a configurable optical compensation element. This segmentation enables the light-guiding element to maintain precise optical properties while the optical compensation element can be adapted to different graphic area positions and configurations, thereby achieving both lighting precision and configuration versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical compensation element introduces dynamic adaptability to the lighting system. By positioning the optical compensation element at different locations corresponding to different graphic areas, the system can be easily reconfigured for different instrument cluster types without redesigning the entire light-guiding element, thus maintaining lighting precision while enhancing adaptability.
4Illumination intensity
If additional LED sources are added to achieve uniform lighting, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical compensation element as an intermediary that modifies light distribution using optical properties (refraction, reflection, diffusion) rather than adding more light sources. This approach achieves illumination uniformity across different graphic areas without increasing the number of LED sources or electrical components, thereby maintaining device simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical/electrical approach of adding multiple LED sources with an optical approach using an optical compensation element. By using optical properties to redistribute light, the system achieves uniform illumination without the complexity of additional electrical components, control circuits, and alignment mechanisms associated with multiple LEDs.
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 homogeneous lighting across graphic areas, reduces manufacturing complexity and costs, and allows for interchangeable light-guiding elements, enabling customizable configurations without additional LEDs, while preventing light path preferential formation and friction issues.
Implementation Method 1
The optical compensation system comprises a plurality of lens surfaces, namely concave curved surfaces and/or convex curved surfaces
Implementation Method 2
the light reaches the graphic areas through reflection and diffusion inside the material of the light-guiding element
Implementation Method 3
the light reaches the graphic areas through reflection and diffusion inside the material of the light-guiding element
Data Source
AI summary
An instrument cluster, in particular for a vehicle, has a dial with a plurality of graphic areas, which are backlit by a device provided with at least one light source, with a front light-guiding element having a front face at least partially covered by a back surface of the dial, and with a rear light-guiding element; the latter has a receiving portion facing said light source and a transmitting portion, which transmits and guides the light received by the receiving portion and is spaced apart from and faces a rear face of the front light-guiding element; the rear face of the front light-guiding element has an optical compensation system, having curved convex or curved concave lens surfaces, for varying the intensity of the light transmitted from said transmission portion to the different graphic areas.