Automotive Light Guide Assembly With Offset Inlets for Multi-Height LEDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide assemblies for automotive vehicles face challenges in efficiently transmitting light from multiple light sources with different packaging heights, leading to light loss due to misalignment and varying heights, which requires additional space and material when using multiple branches.
Innovation Solution
A light guide assembly with a single light guide featuring offset inlet portions at the first end face, allowing for optimal alignment and transmission of light from sources of varying heights, reducing light loss and minimizing space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different packaging heights are arranged at the entrance of the light guide, then multiple photometric functions can be performed, but light loss occurs due to misalignment and varying heights
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a vertical dimension offset between the first and second inlet portions of the light guide. The first inlet portion is positioned at a first vertical level while the second inlet portion is positioned at a second vertical level, allowing light sources of different heights to be optimally aligned with their respective inlet portions. This dimensional adjustment enables multiple photometric functions to be performed without significant light loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed with different inlet portions having different vertical positions tailored to specific light sources. The first inlet portion is optimized for the first light source while the second inlet portion is optimized for the second light source, allowing each inlet portion to have local quality characteristics suited to its corresponding light source's packaging height.
2Loss of energy
If multiple branches of light guide are used to accommodate different light sources, then light loss is reduced, but more space and material are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple light guide functions into a single light guide by providing multiple inlet portions at different vertical levels within the same light guide structure. This allows a single light guide to receive light from multiple light sources of different heights, eliminating the need for separate light guide branches and reducing overall space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light guide is designed to perform multiple functions by incorporating both the first inlet portion and the second inlet portion, allowing it to receive light from different light sources and guide light for multiple photometric functions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple specialized light guide branches.
3Productivity
If light sources are correctly aligned with the light guide entrance, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but alignment sensitivity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By introducing vertical level offsets between inlet portions, the system creates additional alignment degrees of freedom. Each inlet portion can be vertically positioned to match its corresponding light source, making the alignment process less sensitive to horizontal positioning errors and simplifying the manufacturing process.
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 enables efficient and stable light transmission for multiple photometric functions without significant light loss, using a single light guide and minimizing material usage, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and optimal space utilization.
Implementation Method 1
The rays of the light emitted by the light source travel by several total internal reflections along the length of the light guide toward the exit face
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide assembly for a vehicle, the light guide assembly including a light guide having a first end face. The light guide assembly further includes a first light source and a second light source having different heights and being mounted on a common support plane. Further, the first and second light sources are arranged to emit light rays in a light emission direction toward the first end face. The first end face includes a first inlet portion configured to receive light from the first light source and a second inlet portion configured to receive the light from the second light source. The first and second inlet portions are offset from one another in the light emission direction in such a way that the space between the common support plane and each inlet portion is proportional to the height of the light source in front of the corresponding inlet portion.