Vehicle Lamp Unit With Angled Optical Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lamp designs using incandescent, fluorescent, or neon light sources face limitations in efficiency, lifespan, and glare, particularly in vehicle lighting applications, where specific light distribution and intensity standards must be met.
Innovation Solution
A lamp unit featuring a flexible substrate with strategically arranged light sources and an optical member, utilizing a reflective coating and heat dissipation mechanisms to achieve uniform brightness and meet specific light distribution requirements, such as those for vehicle taillights, by optimizing the angle and spacing of light sources and the design of the optical member.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional light sources (incandescent, fluorescent, neon) are used in vehicle lamps, then the lamp structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the efficiency is low, lifespan is short, and glare is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light source type from conventional thermal radiation sources (incandescent, fluorescent, neon) to LED cold light sources. This parameter change enables significantly extended lifespan (LEDs have no filament to burn out and no mercury to degrade) while the modular LED array design keeps the overall structure manageable through standardized components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structures including LED chips mounted on circuit boards, combined with reflective materials (aluminum or silver coatings) and protective lens materials. This composite approach integrates multiple functional elements into a unified lamp assembly that achieves both longevity and structural integrity
2Use of energy by moving object
If conventional light sources are used, then the lamp design is simple, but the efficiency and color temperature performance are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into multiple individual LED elements arranged in arrays or matrices. Each LED operates independently and can be precisely controlled, enabling efficient energy distribution across the lamp surface. This segmentation allows for optimized power consumption by activating only necessary LED segments while maintaining relatively simple individual component designs
Solution Approach 2:
The LED light source serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides high efficiency energy conversion, generates appropriate color temperatures (including white light through phosphor conversion), and enables precise optical control. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated light source solution
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged to meet brightness standards, then the light intensity and distribution are improved, but the glare increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control through selective placement of LED elements and use of optical modifiers at specific locations. Different regions of the lamp surface have different LED densities and optical characteristics tailored to achieve uniform brightness without concentrated hot spots that cause glare. Reflective surfaces and diffusers are strategically positioned to redistribute light locally
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary optical elements such as diffusers, reflectors, and lens structures between the LED light sources and the external environment. These intermediaries soften and redistribute the light output, maintaining high brightness levels while eliminating direct glare by scattering light rays before they reach the observer
4Manufacturing precision
If the lamp unit uses LED light sources with optical members, then the brightness uniformity and light distribution are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved or domed lens structures over LED elements to focus and distribute light in controlled patterns. These optical members use curved surfaces to refract and redirect light rays, achieving uniform brightness distribution across the lamp surface. The curvature geometry is designed to compensate for the point-source nature of LEDs and create area-light effects
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 solution enables the lamp unit to provide uniform brightness and meet specific light intensity and distribution standards, such as a projected area greater than 12.5 cm² and brightness of 40 to 420 candela, while improving efficiency and reducing glare, thus enhancing vehicle safety and design flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
An LED may convert an electric signal into infrared rays or light using characteristics of a compound semiconductor
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a reflective coating and heat dissipation mechanisms to achieve uniform brightness
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp unit comprising a plurality of light sources; a plurality of supporting portions to support the light sources; a connector connected between two adjacent supporting portions; and an optical member disposed on the light sources and comprising a plurality of patterns disposed on a surface of the optical member, wherein the plurality of patterns is disposed on the surface corresponding to the supporting portions having an angle between a perpendicular line passing through a point on a surface of each supporting portions facing a corresponding one of the light sources and a reference line facing a predetermined reference direction of 0 to 45 degrees.