Vehicle Lamp Light Guide Structure for Uniform Sideward Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lamp devices struggle to expand the direction of emitted light towards the vehicle width direction outer side, resulting in dead spaces where light emission is limited, and inefficiencies in light guidance lead to reduced visibility.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle lamp device incorporates a light guide member with a second reflection surface divided into face elements by step portions, where the step portion ridge lines are inclined at a constant angle to the contour line, and a curved surface with a larger curvature radius is provided on the ridge lines near the first reflection surface to enhance light emission towards the vehicle width direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the second reflection surface is divided into face elements with step portion ridge lines inclined towards the radiation center, then light can be reflected as parallel light towards the output surface, but dead spaces are created between face elements at positions distant from the first reflection surface where light emission is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The second reflection surface is divided into multiple face elements by step portions, with each face element independently reflecting light. The step portion ridge lines are inclined at a constant angle to the contour line, creating a segmented structure that covers the output surface more uniformly and eliminates dead spaces between face elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The step portion ridge lines are configured to extend in a direction intersecting with the contour line at a constant angle, rather than inclining towards the radiation center. This dimensional reconfiguration of the ridge line orientation ensures uniform coverage of the output surface in the vehicle width direction without creating triangular dead spaces.
2Illumination intensity
If a diffuser with fine uneven shapes is provided on the output surface, then light can be diffused in multiple directions, but the direction of light emission towards the vehicle width direction outer side cannot be sufficiently expanded
Solution Approach 1:
The second reflection surface is segmented into multiple face elements that work together with the diffuser. Each face element reflects light as parallel light towards the output surface, and the diffuser then disperses this light in multiple directions including towards the vehicle width direction outer side, achieving both parallel light guidance and broad directional coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member combines the second reflection surface with reflective properties and a diffuser with fine uneven shapes on the output surface. This composite structure enables both directional parallel light emission and multi-directional diffusion, expanding light visibility in the vehicle width direction effectively.
3Illumination intensity
If the step portion ridge lines are inclined at different angles relative to the contour line, then light can be reflected towards the radiation center, but the light guidance efficiency decreases and visibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The step portion ridge lines are configured with a constant angle of inclination relative to the contour line, creating uniform local reflection properties across the second reflection surface. This consistent angular configuration ensures efficient light guidance from all face elements towards the output surface, maximizing light guidance efficiency and visibility.
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 allows for efficient light emission from the entire output surface, expanding the light direction towards the vehicle width direction and minimizing visibility reduction, ensuring uniform illumination and enhanced visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflection surface is provided to internally reflect the light incident from the incident portion as a first parallel light towards the base end side of the output wall
Implementation Method 2
a second reflection surface is provided to internally reflect the first parallel light guided by the intermediate light guide wall as a second parallel light towards the tip end side of the output wall
Implementation Method 3
a diffuser with an uneven shape is provided to diffuse the light emitted to the outside in a plurality of directions
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a vehicle lamp device capable of efficiently emitting light from the entire area of an output surface of a light guide member. The vehicle lamp device comprises a light source and a light guide member 11. The light guide member 11 includes an input portion 17, an output wall 18, an intermediate light guide wall 19, a first reflection surface 20, and a second reflection surface 21. One end side in a vehicle front-rear direction of the output wall 18 constitutes an output surface. The first reflection surface 20 causes light entering the input portion 17 to be radially internally reflected as first parallel light travelling toward the other end side of the output wall 18. The second reflection surface 21 is defined into a plurality of face elements 21a by a plurality of step portions 22 having step portion ridge lines 22r extending in a direction intersecting with an outline of the output wall 18. The plurality of face elements 21a, which are disposed at positions spaced apart from the first reflection surface 20 in the vehicle width direction along the outline, are separated by the step portions 22, the step portion ridge lines 22r of which are inclined at a certain angle with respect to the outline when viewed in the vehicle front-rear direction.