Vehicle License Plate Illumination via Microprism Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle license plate logos suffer from low luminance, making them difficult to identify at night and requiring complex and costly assembly processes, especially when trying to illuminate closed-type logo patterns.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle license plate device featuring a transparent region with a light guide plate and microprism structures that scatter light for uniform illumination, combined with a bottom plate for reflective enhancement, allowing the logo to be easily identified at night while maintaining a conventional appearance during the day.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional logo structures are used, then the assembly is simpler, but the luminance is too low and the entire surface cannot emit light uniformly
Solution Approach 1:
The logo pattern is segmented into multiple LED light sources arranged in specific patterns (e.g., 3x3 grid, circular patterns). Each LED illuminates a specific region, and together they create uniform overall illumination. This segmentation allows the entire logo surface to emit light evenly while maintaining a manageable assembly structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A transparent or translucent cover layer is introduced as an intermediary between the LED array and the logo pattern. This cover diffuses and redistributes the light from individual LEDs, transforming the discrete light sources into a uniform illuminated surface. The intermediary enables the entire logo surface to emit light uniformly without requiring complex direct coupling of each LED to the logo elements.
2Illumination intensity
If illuminating elements are added to illuminate the entire logo surface, then the visibility at night is improved, but the assembly becomes thicker and more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The LED illuminating elements are nested within the existing logo structure or mounted on the back surface of the logo plate. The control circuit board and power management components are also integrated into the same space. This nesting approach adds illumination functionality while minimizing the increase in overall assembly thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adding thickness in the vertical dimension, the LED array is arranged in a planar configuration on the back surface of the logo. The light emits forward through the logo surface, utilizing the existing front-back dimension rather than adding lateral thickness. This dimensional arrangement maintains a sleek profile while providing full-surface illumination.
3Illumination intensity
If raised character structures are used for illuminating effect, then the logo can be illuminated, but waterproof sealing becomes difficult and assembly cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating physically raised characters that require sealing, the invention uses a flat logo surface with printed or etched character patterns. The LED array illuminates through the flat surface, and the characters are defined by variations in the logo material or surface treatment rather than physical elevation. This copying of the raised character effect through optical means eliminates the sealing complexity while maintaining the desired illumination effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical raised character structure is replaced with an optical solution using LEDs and a flat translucent or transparent cover. The illumination effect previously achieved through mechanical elevation and refraction is now achieved through direct LED illumination and optical diffusion. This substitution eliminates the need for waterproof sealing of raised structures while maintaining the illumination function.
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 provides a soft, uniform, and aesthetically pleasing illumination of the entire logo surface, enhancing visibility at night while maintaining a conventional appearance during the day, and simplifies assembly by eliminating the need for additional sealing components.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate disposed between the bottom plate and the first shell which is formed with an accommodating groove
Implementation Method 2
the light guide plate is formed with a plurality of microprism structures configured to transmit at least a part of light emitted by the illuminating element penetrating through the light guide plate
Implementation Method 3
the light guide plate is formed with a plurality of microprism structures configured to transmit at least a part of light emitted by the illuminating element penetrating through the light guide plate from a face of the light guide plate opposite to the first shell
Implementation Method 4
total reflection of light in the light guide plate may be destroyed by the plurality of microprism structures on the light guide plate to scatter light and change the direction of the light
Implementation Method 5
because a face of the bottom plate opposite to the first shell has a metal ground color, when the predetermined logo pattern does not need to be illuminated, the color of the bottom plate may be displayed through the transparent region of the first shell
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A license plate device comprises: a first shell (110) having a transparent region (111) forming a first predetermined logo pattern and a non transparent region (112); a second shell (150) fixedly connected with the first shell (110), with a sealed accommodating space; a light guide plate (120) disposed between the bottom plate (130) and the first shell (110) which is formed with an accommodating groove (122); and a circuit board (140) disposed between the light guide plate (120) and the second shell (150) which is formed with an illuminating element (141) on a surface thereof facing toward the light guide plate (120) to be accommodated in the accommodating groove (122), in which the light guide plate (120) is formed with a plurality of microprism structures (121) configured to transmit at least a part of light emitted by the illuminating element (141) penetrating through the light guide plate (120) from a face of the light guide plate (120) facing the first shell (110).