Vehicle Lamp Assembly Virtual Image Logo Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive optical branding systems are complex and expensive, and they often distort or fail to effectively project logos or indicia onto non-reflective surfaces, lacking a cost-effective solution for creating virtual image indicia.
Innovation Solution
A lamp assembly design featuring a dark chamber with a mirror image indicium, an indicium light source, a light chamber with a primary light source, and a transparent divider that reflects the mirror image to create a virtual image indicium, eliminating the need for expensive projector systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If expensive projector systems are used to project logos or indicia onto surfaces, then optical branding capability is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a transparent divider that acts as a reflective surface to create a virtual image copy of the indicium rather than physically projecting it. The indicium is positioned behind the transparent divider, and its reflection creates the branding effect, eliminating the need for complex projector systems while achieving the same optical branding capability
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent divider serves as an intermediary element between the indicium and the viewer. Instead of directly projecting the image onto a surface, the system uses the transparent divider as a mediating reflective surface to create the virtual image, simplifying the overall system architecture
2Adaptability or versatility
If logos or indicia are projected onto non-reflective surfaces, then branding is displayed, but image distortion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of projecting the indicium onto a surface, the system creates a virtual image copy through reflection. The transparent divider reflects light from the indicium to form a virtual image that appears to float in space, eliminating the need for surface projection and avoiding distortion from non-reflective surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D surface projection to 3D virtual image creation. By using the transparent divider as a reflective surface, the system creates a virtual image in three-dimensional space rather than forcing projection onto a flat surface, thereby preserving image quality and eliminating distortion
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex optics are used to achieve optical branding, then desired branding result is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a simple transparent divider with reflective properties to create a virtual image copy of the indicium. This approach replaces complex optical branding components with a simple reflective surface, significantly reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining the desired branding effect
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent divider serves as a simple, inexpensive component that achieves the optical branding effect without requiring expensive projector systems or complex optics. The solution uses a basic reflective element rather than costly optical components
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 design provides a less complex and cost-effective method for creating virtual image branding in vehicles, allowing for the projection of logos or indicia without distortion, even on non-reflective surfaces, and seamlessly integrates with standard lighting functions.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent divider located at least partially between the dark chamber and the light chamber and configured to reflect the mirror image indicium when the indicium light source is illuminated to create a virtual image indicium
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp assembly for a vehicle configured to display a logo or other indicia in the form of a virtual image indicium. The lamp assembly includes a dark chamber having a mirror image indicium with an indicium light source associated with the dark chamber, and a light chamber having an associated primary light source. A transparent divider is configured to reflect the mirror image indicium when the indicium light source is illuminated to create the virtual image indicium that is perceivable by an observer.