Vehicular Light Guide Member with Linking Portion for Mold Machining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicular lighting equipment faces difficulties in mold machining and resin material flow due to gaps between reflection steps on the light guide body, leading to poor casting results.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular light guide member with a linking portion between the main and secondary reflection portions, which eliminates gaps and facilitates smooth mold machining and resin flow by reflecting incident light to the emission surface, creating integrated light distribution patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If first interior surface reflection step and second interior surface reflection steps are formed at predetermined positions on the side face of the light guide body, then light can be efficiently utilized and traced from incidence end to other end, but a gap is produced between the first interior surface reflection step and each second interior surface reflection step which makes mold machining difficult and resin material flow poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidmold machining ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the first interior surface reflection step and second interior surface reflection steps into a single integrated reflection step structure. By combining these previously separate reflection elements into one unified component, the gap between them is eliminated, resolving the mold machining difficulty while maintaining the light tracing function through the integrated reflection surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the reflection step into multiple functional zones (first interior surface reflection zone, second interior surface reflection zone) within a single continuous structure. This segmentation allows different reflection functions to be performed in different zones of the same reflection step, eliminating the need for separate steps and the gaps between them, thus improving both manufacturability and light control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If first interior surface reflection step and second interior surface reflection steps are formed at predetermined positions on the side face of the light guide body, then light can be efficiently utilized and traced from incidence end to other end, but resin material flow at the time of casting is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight utilization efficiencyVSAvoidcasting efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the first interior surface reflection step and second interior surface reflection steps into a single integrated reflection step structure. By combining these previously separate reflection elements into one unified component, the gap between them is eliminated, resolving the mold machining difficulty while maintaining the light tracing function through the integrated reflection surfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the reflection step into multiple functional zones (first interior surface reflection zone, second interior surface reflection zone) within a single continuous structure. This segmentation allows different reflection functions to be performed in different zones of the same reflection step, eliminating the need for separate steps and the gaps between them, thus improving both manufacturability and light control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 enhances mold machining ease and resin flow during casting, reducing manufacturing costs and improving light distribution patterns for better visibility and appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a vehicular light guide member which forms a rod shape to guide light by utilizing total reflection inside thereof

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a main reflection portion having a main reflection surface to reflect the incident light to the emission surface side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInternal reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a secondary reflection portion having a secondary reflection surface to reflect the incident light to the emission surface side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInternal reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3130837B1Vehicular light guide member and vehicular lighting equipment
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 ICHIKOH IND LTD
  • EP3130837B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3130837B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3130837B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention is a light guide member (3) that utilizes total reflection to guide light. An entry surface (30), an exit surface (31), a main reflection portion (35), a secondary reflection portion (37), and a linking portion (39) are provided. The main reflection portion (35) has a main reflection surface (34). The secondary reflection portion (37) has a secondary reflection surface (36). The linking portion (39) is provided between the main reflection portion (35) and the secondary reflection portion (37). As a result of the present invention, mold machining is straightforward, and the flow of resin material during casting is adequate.