Vehicle Light Guide Layout for Uniform Logo Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lamps, particularly logo lamps, face high costs due to the use of numerous LEDs and lack uniform illumination effects.

Innovation Solution

A light guide element with specific reflecting and exit parts, allowing for uniform illumination using fewer light sources, and optionally incorporating multiple light guide units for enhanced geometric patterning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a large number of LEDs are used to realize logo lamps, then the illumination coverage can be improved, but the cost increases and the illumination uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A light guide element is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the illumination target. The light guide element receives light from a reduced number of LEDs and distributes it uniformly across the desired area, eliminating the need for numerous individual LEDs while maintaining comprehensive illumination coverage and uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple light guide elements are merged into a single integrated structure that can be shaped to match the logo geometry. This consolidation allows a small number of LEDs to illuminate complex geometric patterns through the unified light guide element, reducing both component count and cost

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Illumination intensity

If a large number of LEDs are used to realize logo lamps, then the illumination coverage can be improved, but the illumination uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidillumination uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide element acts as an intermediary that homogenizes light distribution. By designing the light guide element with specific geometric features matching the logo pattern, it ensures uniform light emission across the entire illumination area, eliminating the non-uniformity that occurs when using discrete LEDs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide element is designed with spatially varying properties - different sections have different optical characteristics tailored to their specific function in forming the logo pattern. This local optimization ensures uniform illumination in each region while maintaining the overall geometric accuracy of the logo

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Shape

If multiple light guide units are added to enhance geometric patterning, then the aesthetic appeal is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeometric patterningVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple light guide units with different geometric patterns are merged into a single integrated light guide element. This unified structure maintains the complex geometric patterning needed for aesthetic appeal while simplifying the overall device by eliminating the need for separate components and their associated mounting and alignment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Achieves cost-effective and uniform illumination with improved aesthetic appeal by reducing the number of light sources and enhancing geometric patterns.

Implementation Method 1

a light source (310) configured to emit light rays towards a light entry part of the light guide element (400), such that the light rays are propagated in the light guide element (400) and emerge from a light exit part (440)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Implementation Method 2

The first reflecting part (420) is opposite the first light entry part (410), and receives and reflects light rays from the first light entry part (410)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

The second reflecting part (430) is configured to reflect the light rays towards the first light exit part (440)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4445070B1Light guide element, lighting device and vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4445070B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4445070B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP4445070B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a light guide element, comprising at least one light guide unit, each light guide unit comprising at least one first light entry part, at least one first reflecting part, a second reflecting part and a first light exit part, wherein the second reflecting part and the first light exit part are disposed in a peripheral region of the light guide unit, and: the first light entry part receives light rays from a light source; the first reflecting part reflects light rays from the first light entry part towards the second reflecting part in the peripheral region; the second reflecting part reflects light rays from the first reflecting part towards the first light exit part, such that the light rays emerge from the first light exit part. The present invention also relates to a lighting device and a vehicle.