Injection-Molded Light Guide Cover for Precise Light Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guides for motor vehicles face complex assembly and insufficient light seal issues due to the use of cover materials like adhesive tape or felt, which complicate installation and do not provide a precise light emission geometry.
Innovation Solution
A light guide with a transparent plastic body covered by a light-opaque material applied via injection molding, offering precise light sealing and flexible design options, reducing assembly complexity and installation space while eliminating the need for extra components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If cover materials like adhesive tape or felt are used to cover the light guide, then light sealing is achieved, but assembly complexity increases and light seal precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The cover material is integrated directly into the light guide body through injection molding, merging two separate components (light guide and cover) into a single integrated structure. This eliminates the need for separate assembly steps and ensures precise light sealing without increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The cover material is formed as an integral part of the light guide body during the injection molding process, performing the light sealing function in advance rather than requiring separate assembly. This preliminary integration resolves the contradiction by ensuring precise light sealing is built-in from the start
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate cover materials are applied to the light guide, then light emission control is achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cover material is merged with the light guide body through injection molding, creating a single integrated component that provides both structural support and light emission control. This eliminates the need for separate cover components while maintaining design flexibility for various emission geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cover material serves multiple functions: it provides light sealing, controls light emission geometry, and forms part of the structural body. This multi-functionality achieves versatile emission control without increasing the number of components
3Ease of operation
If adhesive tape or felt is used to cover the light guide, then installation is possible, but installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cover material is integrated into the light guide body, eliminating the need for separate installation of cover materials. This integration reduces the overall installation space required while maintaining ease of installation through the pre-formed integrated structure
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 precise light seal and flexible emission geometries, simplifies assembly, reduces installation space, and saves costs by integrating the cover material through injection molding, ensuring efficient light usage and minimal stray light.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (1) with a light-guiding body (10) made of transparent plastics material, wherein the light-guiding body (10) has at least one light-entrance surface (11) and at least one light-exit surface (12)
Implementation Method 2
the light-guiding body (10) is covered in a region by means of a substantially light-opaque cover material (20), wherein the cover material (20) is applied onto the region by means of an injection molding method
Data Source
Figure 1~4
AI summary
A light guide (1) for a motor vehicle, wherein the light guide (1) has a light-guiding body (10) made of transparent plastics material, wherein the light-guiding body (10) has at least one light-entrance surface (11) and at least one light-exit surface (12) and wherein the light-guiding body (10) is covered in a region by means of a substantially light-opaque cover material (20), wherein the cover material (20) is applied onto the region by means of an injection molding method. The use of such a light guide (1) in a motor vehicle and a method for producing such a light guide (1).