Non-Coplanar Light Guide for Uniform CHMSL Strip Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting systems, particularly center high-mounted stop lamps (CHMSL), face challenges in efficiently illuminating a narrow strip between two lamp portions without requiring additional PCBs or separate light sources.
Innovation Solution
A light guide arrangement with a center body and non-coplanar surfaces, including angled surfaces and leg portions, is used to direct light from a single LED source to illuminate the narrow strip and both lamp portions, utilizing prisms and vertical flutes for efficient light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single LED light source is used to illuminate the narrow strip between two CHMSL portions, then the device complexity is reduced and cost is lowered, but the illumination uniformity and light distribution efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented into multiple functional zones: a center body portion for light collection, multiple leg portions for light distribution, and non-coplanar surfaces for directional control. This segmentation allows a single LED to effectively illuminate multiple separate areas (the narrow strip and both CHMSL portions) as if multiple light sources were used, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and illumination uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide utilizes three-dimensional non-coplanar surfaces extending in multiple directions (upward, downward, leftward, rightward) from the center body. This dimensional approach allows light to be distributed in multiple spatial directions from a single source, achieving uniform illumination across the narrow strip and both lamp portions without requiring multiple LEDs or complex PCB arrangements.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional PCB and separate light source arrangements are used to illuminate the narrow strip, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide merges multiple functions into a single integrated component: light collection from the LED, light direction control, and illumination distribution to the narrow strip and both CHMSL portions. This eliminates the need for separate PCB structures and additional light sources, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining comprehensive illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it collects light from the single LED source, directs light into the narrow strip area, and distributes light to both upper and lower CHMSL portions. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate components, reducing manufacturing complexity while achieving complete illumination coverage.
3Productivity
If multiple light sources or additional PCBs are used to illuminate the narrow strip, then the light distribution efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as an intermediary between the single LED light source and the multiple target areas (narrow strip and both CHMSL portions). It efficiently transfers and distributes light energy from the single source to multiple locations through its strategically designed non-coplanar surfaces, achieving high light distribution efficiency without the complexity of multiple light sources or PCBs.
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 high efficiency in lighting the narrow strip and lamp portions with a single LED, ensuring uniform illumination and eliminating the need for additional PCBs, while maintaining high light collection and distribution efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide having a center axis aligned with the light source, wherein the light guide comprises a plurality of non-coplanar surfaces to direct light to illuminate the two circuit board portions and the narrow strip
Implementation Method 2
the light guide comprises a plurality of non-coplanar surfaces to direct light
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide comprises a center body portion that extends along a center axis and which has a first end associated with a light source and an opposite second end associated with a plurality of non-coplanar surfaces. A first leg portion extends away from the center body portion in a first direction and a second leg portion extends away from the center body portion in a second direction opposite of the first direction.