Vehicular Lamp Light Guiding Plate Bidirectional Angle Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular lamp fittings can control the exit angle of light in the vertical direction by adjusting V grooves, but not in the horizontal direction, limiting their ability to form desired light distribution patterns.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating both first and second light control surfaces on the light guiding plate, where the first surface controls the horizontal exit angle and the second surface controls the vertical exit angle, allowing for independent adjustment of light exit angles in both directions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If V grooves are disposed on the back surface of the light guiding plate to control vertical exit angle, then the exit angle of light in the vertical direction is controllable, but the exit angle of light in the horizontal direction is not controllable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevertical exit angle controlVSAvoidhorizontal exit angle control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light guiding plate is segmented into multiple control surfaces: V grooves on the back surface for vertical angle control, and first light control surfaces on the side surfaces for horizontal angle control. This segmentation allows independent control of light exit angles in different directions, resolving the limitation of only vertical angle control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extends light angle control from one dimension (vertical only via back surface V grooves) to two dimensions by adding side surface light control surfaces. This dimensional expansion enables control of both vertical and horizontal exit angles simultaneously.

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

2Device complexity

If only V grooves on the back surface are used, then the structure is simple, but the light distribution pattern cannot be precisely controlled in both horizontal and vertical directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidlight distribution control precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light guiding plate is divided into multiple functional surfaces: back surface V grooves for vertical control and side surface first light control surfaces for horizontal control. This segmentation enables precise bidirectional light distribution control while maintaining a relatively simple integrated structure that can be manufactured as a single piece.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guiding plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the source, controls vertical exit angle via back surface V grooves, controls horizontal exit angle via side surface first light control surfaces, and manages light extraction efficiency. This multi-functionality achieves precise light distribution control without requiring multiple separate components.

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

Enables the formation of targeted light distribution patterns for various vehicular lamps by controlling both horizontal and vertical exit angles of light, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a part of the light from the light source, that is guided inside the light guiding plate, is internally reflected by V grooves (extending in the horizontal direction), which are disposed on the back surface of the light guiding plate, and is exits through the front surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInternal reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the light guiding plate includes not only the second light control surface, which control the exit angle of the light from the light source in the vertical direction, but also the first light control surface which controls the exit angle thereof in the horizontal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3587909B1Vehicular lamp fitting
Publication Date: 2022.09.14 STANLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3587909B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3587909B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3587909B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicular lamp fitting (10), comprising a light guiding plate (20) having a front surface (21) and a back surface (22), and a light source (30) which emits light guided by the light guiding plate (20), wherein the front surface (21) includes first light control surfaces (21a1-21an), the back surface (22) includes second light control surfaces (22a1-22an), and concave portions (22b1-22bn) each of which is disposed between two adjacent second light control surfaces (22a1-22an), the first light control surface (21a1-21an) is a refraction surface which is configured such that the exit angle of the light from the light source (30) in the horizontal direction, which is refracted and exits through the first light control surface (21a1-21an), be a predetermined angle, and the second light control surface (22a1-22an) is a reflection surface which is configured such that the exit angle of the light from the light source (30) in the vertical direction, which exits through the first light control surface (21a1-21an), be a predetermined angle.