Automotive LED Light Guide with Elongated Bulges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle signaling light systems face challenges in achieving uniform illumination, faster switch-on times, reduced size, lower CO2 emissions, and incorporating stylistic effects, while meeting regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a transparent optical material with elongated bulges forming a light guide, integrated with LEDs, which provides optimized scattering of light through total reflection, allowing for uniform illumination and additional decorative effects, and can be used in both front and rear vehicle lighting/signaling applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional signaling light systems are used, then regulatory requirements are met, but uniform illumination and faster switch-on times are not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The optical material is segmented into multiple elongated bulges, each acting as an independent light guide. This segmentation allows each bulge to be optimally sized and positioned to achieve uniform illumination while maintaining fast switch-on characteristics of individual LED segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical material have different properties - the elongated bulges provide light guidance while the spaces between them allow for scattering centers. This local differentiation enables simultaneous achievement of fast switch-on in bulge regions and uniform illumination through scattering in intermediate regions.
2Reliability
If larger signaling light assemblies are used, then regulatory requirements are met, but size and CO2 emissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The signaling light assembly is designed to fulfill multiple regulatory requirements simultaneously using a compact configuration. The same elongated bulge structure serves as both the light guide for fast switch-on and the scattering medium for uniform illumination, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary screens and reducing overall assembly volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the functions of light guidance and light scattering into a single integrated optical material structure. The elongated bulges perform both functions - guiding light from LEDs for fast switch-on while their internal scattering centers provide uniform illumination distribution, replacing what would traditionally require separate components.
3Illumination intensity
If auxiliary transparent screens with scattering centers are used, then uniform illumination is improved, but device complexity and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines the light guide function and the scattering function into a single integrated optical element. The elongated bulges contain scattering centers within their structure, eliminating the need for separate auxiliary transparent screens and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining uniform illumination performance.
4Adaptability or versatility
If traditional signaling devices are used, then basic functionality is provided, but stylistic effects cannot be added
Solution Approach 1:
The optical material features locally differentiated properties with elongated bulges having specific scattering characteristics. This local quality variation enables stylistic effects to be integrated into the base structure itself, allowing different illumination patterns and visual effects without adding complex external 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
The solution achieves efficient and uniform lighting/signaling with reduced size and lower CO2 emissions, while enabling stylistic enhancements and compliance with regulatory standards, suitable for various vehicle lighting functions including direction indicators, stop lights, and fog lamps.
Implementation Method 1
optimized scattering of light through total reflection
Data Source
AI summary
A device is for a lighting/signaling assembly of an automotive vehicle. The assembly includes a substantially transparent optical material and at least one light source of an “LED” type arranged for emitting light rays propagating within a thickness of the optical material. The device comprises a plate of substantially transparent optical material forming a screen and including at least one substantially bilateral elongated bulge defining a substantially circular overall substantially perpendicular cross-section and substantially mean longitudinal axis in a substantially mid-plane of the bulge and being adapted to form a light guide. At least one LED is disposed at at least one end of the light guide and defines a main axis of the LED that is substantially orthogonal to a substantially longitudinal axis of the light guide.