L-Shaped Optical Waveguide for Flexible Automotive Light Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light module designs for motor vehicle lights, such as tail lights and directional signal lights, are limited to providing illumination through a narrow strip of light, restricting their application to elongated fixtures and failing to meet customer requirements for varied surface configurations.
Innovation Solution
A light module featuring a plate-shaped optical waveguide with an L- or I-shaped cross section, incorporating a reflector and a white coating on the waveguide's output area for total internal reflection, allowing for flexible light distribution and surface configurations, including straight or curved light-emitting surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a straight optical waveguide with parallel reflective surface is used, then light can be emitted along a narrow strip, but the application is limited to elongated fixtures and cannot meet diverse surface configuration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is divided into multiple sections with different cross-sectional shapes (L-shaped, T-shaped, I-shaped, or rectangular) along its length. Each section can be configured to produce different light emission patterns, enabling the system to meet diverse surface configuration requirements while using a single integrated waveguide structure
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a traditional straight rectangular waveguide to waveguides with varied cross-sectional geometries (L-shaped, T-shaped, I-shaped). This dimensional variation in the cross-section allows light to be distributed across different spatial configurations, enabling curved and complex surface illuminations that were not possible with simple rectangular cross-sections
2Illumination intensity
If a reflective surface is added inside the waveguide, then light distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity and surface precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a fully reflective surface throughout the waveguide, the invention applies selective white painting or coating only to specific internal surfaces where light reflection is needed. This localized treatment achieves effective light distribution while significantly reducing manufacturing complexity and avoiding the need for precision reflective coatings on entire internal surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, precision-engineered reflective coatings with simple white paint or coating applied to internal waveguide surfaces. This approach uses a low-cost, easily applicable material that achieves sufficient light reflection for the application, sacrificing some long-term durability for significant gains in manufacturing ease and cost reduction
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
Enables the creation of a complete light surface that meets diverse customer needs across industries, including automotive, by ensuring effective light reflection and distribution, overcoming the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
an angled surface is provided for total reflection of light passing through the shorter inlet part of the waveguide to the longer outlet part of the waveguide
Implementation Method 2
a bottom area and an adjacent face of the outlet part of the waveguide are provided with a white coating
Data Source
AI summary
A light module for a motor vehicle is disclosed. The light module includes a light source and a reflecting unit. The light module also includes an optical waveguide, wherein the waveguide is formed by a plate-shaped body having an L-shaped cross section, the light-reflecting unit comprises a reflector arranged in front of a shorter input part of the waveguide, and wherein at a place where a shorter inlet part of the waveguide passes into a longer outlet part of the waveguide, an angled surface is provided for total reflection of light passing through the shorter inlet part of the waveguide to the longer outlet part of the waveguide, wherewith a bottom area and an adjacent face of the outlet part of the waveguide are provided with a white coating.