Vehicle Light Guide Finger Junctions for Homogeneous Beam Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lamps with multiple light modules suffer from undesirable light-intensity gradients and inhomogeneities in the border area between light distributions, leading to discomfort and distraction for drivers due to visible edges and undesirable images on the road.
Innovation Solution
A light guide with a specific shape, featuring guide fingers and protrusions at junctions, which enhances light distribution homogeneity by reducing visibility of edges and creating a smoother light beam without the need for additional optics units.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an intermediary optics unit is added to reduce light-intensity gradients, then light homogeneity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the light-diffusing function directly into the light guide structure by adding protrusions at the junctions of guide fingers. This merges the light guiding and light diffusing functions into a single component, eliminating the need for separate intermediary optics units while achieving homogeneous light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies protrusions specifically at the junctions between guide fingers where light-intensity gradients occur. This local modification targets the problematic areas without altering the entire light guide structure, providing homogeneous light distribution while maintaining simple overall design.
2Illumination intensity
If an intermediary optics unit or filter is added to reduce inhomogeneities, then light distribution homogeneity is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light-diffusing function into the light guide itself through protrusions at finger junctions. This eliminates the need for separate filters or intermediary optics, reducing the number of components and manufacturing steps while achieving homogeneous light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure serves its own light-diffusing needs through the protrusions at junctions. The same component that guides light also diffuses it appropriately, eliminating the need for additional specialized components and reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light modules are used to create pixelated beams, then lighting functionality is improved, but inhomogeneities and visible edges appear in border areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies protrusions specifically at the junctions between guide fingers where border areas and light-intensity gradients occur. This local modification targets the problematic border regions, smoothing transitions between adjacent light modules while preserving the pixelated beam 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
The solution improves light homogeneity, eliminating the visibility of undesirable images on the road and reducing manufacturing and maintenance costs by simplifying the lamp design.
Implementation Method 1
a guide body extending along a horizontal axis, a plurality of guide fingers intended to guide the light emitted by the array of light sources
Implementation Method 2
at least one of the junctions comprises a protrusion extending towards the light input ends of the guide fingers. Owing to the particular shape of the light guide, and in particular the at least one protrusion located at a junction between the guide fingers, the zone where the protrusion is located will release more light.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a light guide (26) for an illuminating device adapted for vehicle exteriors comprising an array of light sources (22), comprising: a guide body (30) extending along a horizontal axis (X-X); and a plurality of guide fingers (32) intended to guide the light emitted by the array of light sources (22) and extending from the guide body (30) in such a way that they are aligned along said horizontal axis (X-X), each guide finger (32) extending between a light input end (32I) receiving at least part of the light emitted by the light sources (22) and a light output end (32O), and at least one of the junctions (38) comprises a protrusion (40) extending towards the light input ends (32I) of the guide fingers (32).