Motor Vehicle Illumination Device With Intersecting Light Guide Projections

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices for motor vehicles using multiple light guides struggle to achieve a uniform appearance due to complex production processes and susceptibility to damage, with visible transitions between light guides being undesirable for design reasons.

Innovation Solution

The use of two or more elongated light guides with open ends, arranged such that their projections intersect or merge in specific areas, creating a uniform and continuous appearance, and each guide having its own light source for even illumination, with an optional partially translucent screen for enhanced design and light dispersion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple light guides are used to illuminate different areas, then the illumination coverage is improved, but visible transitions between light guides appear which are undesirable for design reasons

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoiduniform appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The light guides are arranged in three-dimensional space such that their projections overlap in specific viewing planes, creating a uniform appearance from the front while maintaining separate physical structures that illuminate different areas. This spatial arrangement resolves the contradiction by using dimensional positioning to achieve both coverage and visual uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The projections of multiple light guides are merged in the frontal viewing plane to create a continuous, uniform light distribution appearance. By overlapping their projected areas, the individual light guides are visually combined into a single homogeneous light source, eliminating visible transitions while maintaining separate illumination zones.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Shape

If complex shapes are produced for light guides, then design flexibility is improved, but production complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidproduction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is segmented into multiple simpler light guide rods with basic geometric shapes (circles, squares, triangles) rather than attempting to produce single complex shaped light guides. Each rod has a simple cross-section that is easy to manufacture, while the overall complex shape is achieved through the spatial arrangement and projection overlap of these simple components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If light guides are arranged to overlap in projection, then uniform appearance is improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform appearanceVSAvoidarrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guides are positioned in three-dimensional space with specific spacing and orientation such that their two-dimensional projections overlap in the frontal viewing plane. This dimensional arrangement creates uniform appearance without requiring complex interconnections or integrations between the light guides, as they remain structurally independent while achieving visual merging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration simplifies production, enhances stability, and provides a homogeneous light pattern while masking individual light guides, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing and durable lighting solution.

Implementation Method 1

each of the light guides having its own light source assigned to it, by means of which light can be introduced via a coupling area into the respective light guide

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Light

Implementation Method 2

the light guides are also designed as elongate light-conducting rods

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical conduction: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 3

elongate light-conducting rods, each of which has at least one light decoupling region on its lateral surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP1946965B2Illumination device for creating at least one light function for a light unit or a headlamp of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2018.10.31 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP1946965B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1946965B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The lighting device (VOR) has two or more light conductors (LLE1, LLE2). The two light guide rods are arranged such that their normal-projections passes into a level in an area (SBL) standing normal to the main light exit direction in intersecting or into one another manner.