Automotive LED Illumination with Anamorphic Aspherical Lenses
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional daytime running lights face challenges in achieving high light efficiency and design flexibility, with the former experiencing low light efficiency due to light loss in light guide plates and the latter having restricted placement options.
Innovation Solution
The proposed illumination apparatus incorporates multiple light sources and lens units with two-axis anamorphic aspherical surfaces and microlens arrays, allowing for efficient light distribution and flexible placement by adjusting the array directions of components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide plate is used to form a line-shaped light source, then visibility and design properties are improved, but light efficiency deteriorates due to light loss at entry and extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus divides the light guiding function into multiple discrete lens units, each containing a light source and optical elements. This segmentation eliminates the need for light guide plates while maintaining the line-shaped light source effect, thereby improving light efficiency by removing extraction losses.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the light guiding function from the system by directly emitting light from multiple LED sources through lens units, eliminating the light guide plate component entirely. This removes the light loss associated with light entry and extraction from the guide plate, solving the efficiency problem while preserving visibility.
2Loss of energy
If the illumination apparatus is used also as a head light, then light efficiency is improved, but freedom of disposition deteriorates due to fixed outer shape requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus is segmented into multiple independent lens units that can be individually positioned and oriented. This allows the overall apparatus to be disposed in various configurations (horizontally, vertically, diagonally) while each unit maintains its optical efficiency, resolving the contradiction between efficiency and design freedom.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables disposition freedom by arranging lens units in different spatial dimensions and orientations. The apparatus can be configured in horizontal, vertical, or diagonal arrangements, adding dimensional flexibility without compromising the optical path efficiency of individual units.
3Loss of energy
If multiple lens units with microlens arrays are used, then light efficiency and visibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the lens units: each unit combines a light source, transmission lens, total-reflection lenses, and microlens array into an integrated assembly. This consolidation achieves high light efficiency and visibility while managing complexity through functional integration rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lens units are designed as universal modules that can be disposed in various configurations and orientations. Each unit performs multiple functions (light transmission, reflection, collimation) within a single standardized structure, reducing overall system complexity through modularity and 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
This configuration enhances light efficiency by ensuring almost all light is directed forward and improves visibility with a broad angular range, while offering greater freedom in placement options.
Implementation Method 1
incidence surface and emission surface of the transmission lens are two-axis anamorphic aspherical surfaces
Implementation Method 2
first total-reflection lens that is located around the transmission lens... second total-reflection lens that is located around the transmission lens
Implementation Method 3
a microlens array is formed on at least one of the incidence surface and the emission surface of the transmission lens... microlens arrays of the transmission lens, the first total-reflection lens and the second total-reflection lens each have a structure in which microlenses are periodically arrayed
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus including: multiple LEDs; and a lens unit that is placed correspondingly to the respective LEDs, wherein the lens unit includes a transmission lens, a first total-reflection lens, and a second total-reflection lens, wherein an incidence surface and an emission surface of the transmission lens, as well as incidence surfaces, emission surfaces and total-reflection surfaces of the first total-reflection lens and the second total-reflection lens are two-axis anamorphic aspherical surfaces, a microlens array is formed on at least one of the incidence surface and the emission surface of the transmission lens, a microlens array is formed on at least one of the emission surfaces, the total-reflection surfaces and the incidence surfaces of the first total-reflection lens and the second total-reflection lens, and the microlens arrays each have a structure in which microlenses are periodically arrayed, and are arrayed along the vertical and horizontal directions of the illumination apparatus.