Vehicle Lamp Cover with Light-Deflecting Zones for Directional Output

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle lighting systems lack an aesthetically pleasing and efficient way to direct light for enhanced visibility and attention, particularly in motor vehicles, with existing solutions not effectively utilizing light deflection structures to achieve desired luminance distribution and directional light emission.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle light system featuring a translucent cover with integrated light deflection structures that optically separate regions, allowing targeted light emission and deflection, enabling adjustable directional light output and improved visibility, produced using methods like laser processing and injection molding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If light is directed from the rear onto a transparent or translucent cover, then the cover emits light in one or more directions, but the light distribution is not selectively controllable in specific directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distributionVSAvoiddirectional control
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover is divided into multiple areas (first area, second area, third area) with different light-deflecting structures, allowing each area to independently direct light in specific directions. This segmentation enables selective directional control of light emission from different regions of the cover.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the cover are equipped with different light-deflecting structures tailored to their specific functional requirements. For example, the first area has structures for directing light in one direction while the second area has structures for different directional control, optimizing light distribution locally for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lighting elements are arranged in an interior space, then various lighting functions can be achieved, but the interior areas are not visually separated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionsVSAvoidinterior structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A light barrier is introduced as an intermediary element between different interior areas to visually separate them. This light barrier allows the system to maintain multiple lighting functions while providing clear visual separation between different lighting zones, reducing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If light-deflecting structures are added to the cover, then light can be directed in specific directions, but the manufacturing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirectional light emissionVSAvoidcover manufacturing
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The light-deflecting structures are integrated directly into the cover manufacturing process, combining the cover and light-deflecting structures into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and reduces manufacturing complexity despite the added functional complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover serves multiple functions: it acts as a protective enclosure, a light-emitting surface, and a light-directing element through its integrated light-deflecting structures. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 system achieves efficient light distribution, enhancing visibility and aesthetic appeal by directing light in specific directions, meeting legal requirements and providing adjustable luminance, making it suitable for various lighting functions such as taillights and turn signals.

Implementation Method 1

the cover has one or more light deflecting structures for selectively directing the light emitted towards the rear side of the cover from the visible side of the cover

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the one or more light-deflecting structures are designed to deflect the light emitted by the light source in one or more specific directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

the cover has at least one first light barrier, wherein the first light barrier completely optically separates at least a first area and a second area of the cover from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP3792111B1Lamp
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 WEIDPLAS
  • EP3792111B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3792111B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3792111B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A light (1), in particular a signal light, is provided for a vehicle, in particular for a motor vehicle. The light (1) comprises a cover (2) that is at least partially translucent, with a visible side (3) and a rear side (4), wherein the light (1) has a light source (23) which emits light towards the rear side (4) of the cover (2), and wherein the cover (2) has one or more light deflecting structures (34) for selectively directing the light emitted towards the rear side (4) of the cover (2) from the visible side (3) of the cover (2).