Vehicular Laminated Glass Light Coupling in Narrow Frame Space

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular laminated glass structures face challenges in introducing light from the side surface of a glass plate due to limited space and difficulty in adjusting the angle of incidence, especially in narrow vehicle frames, leading to inefficient light guidance.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular laminated glass design featuring a first and second glass plate bonded by an adhesive interlayer, with an optical element between the glass plates and a light source facing the optical element, allowing controlled light introduction through precise adjustment of incidence angles and refractive indices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If light source is disposed on the side surface of the glass plate, then light can be introduced into the laminated glass, but the space for disposing the light source cannot be secured when the width between body frame and glass plate side surface is narrow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight introduction efficiencyVSAvoidspace for light source disposal

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is moved from the side surface (horizontal dimension) to the rear surface (depth dimension), utilizing the Z-axis direction to resolve the space constraint issue while maintaining light introduction functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If light source is mounted on the glass surface side, then light can be introduced into the laminated glass, but it is difficult to adjust the angle of incidence of light to the glass surface and to efficiently guide the light inside the glass

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight introduction efficiencyVSAvoidadjustability of angle of incidence

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

An optical element with a light-receiving surface is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the glass plate, enabling precise control of the angle of incidence through the optical element's geometry rather than directly adjusting the light source position

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design effectively introduces and guides light within the laminated glass, enhancing light propagation and control, while minimizing leakage and reflection, thus improving light utilization and design flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

an optical element which is disposed between the fourth main surface and the light source and refracts irradiation light from the light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS12442974B2Vehicular laminated glass having a light source and an optical element for introducing light into the glass

Publication Date: 2025.10.14 AGC INC

AI summary

A vehicular laminated glass includes a first glass plate having a first main surface and a second main surface, a second glass plate having a third main surface and a fourth main surface, an adhesive interlayer disposed between the second main surface and the third main surface, a light source which faces the fourth main surface and emits light toward the fourth main surface, and an optical element which is disposed between the fourth main surface and the light source and refracts light emitted from the light source into the fourth main surface.