Vehicle Light Guide Couplers for Uniform Outboard Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lamp optical devices fail to efficiently direct light towards the outboard side of the vehicle, resulting in non-uniform lighting and non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
Innovation Solution
A light guide system with couplers and optics that redirect a portion of the light beam towards the vehicle's outboard side, utilizing a light-exit face with stepped surface facets and prismatic elements to enhance light distribution and improve visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide with multiple light sources is designed to transmit light towards the vehicle's forward direction, then the lighting function is provided, but the outboard side lighting appearance is not improved and light distribution is non-uniform
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple functional segments: a light guiding portion for forward light transmission and a light reflecting portion with angled surfaces for outboard side light redirection. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific lighting function independently, achieving both forward lighting and outboard side illumination without compromising light distribution uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a lateral light reflection dimension by adding angled reflecting surfaces to the light guide. These surfaces redirect light from the vertical forward direction to the horizontal outboard side direction, creating a multi-dimensional light distribution pattern that improves both forward lighting and side visibility while maintaining uniformity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If known optical device components are used, then the light guiding function is provided, but the light cannot be directed towards the outboard side of the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a light guiding component for forward illumination and as a light reflecting component for outboard side illumination. The angled reflecting surfaces enable the same component to perform multiple lighting functions, directing light both forward and to the outboard side, thereby enhancing adaptability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The angled reflecting surfaces act as intermediaries between the light sources and the outboard side environment. These surfaces receive light from the light guiding portion and redirect it toward the outboard side, serving as a mediating element that enables light direction control without requiring separate dedicated outboard side lighting components.
3Loss of energy
If light is directed only towards the vehicle's front side, then the forward lighting function is optimized, but waste light or bleed-light cannot be utilized for side illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts what would normally be considered waste light or bleed-light into a useful resource for outboard side illumination. By incorporating angled reflecting surfaces, light that would otherwise be lost or scattered is redirected to illuminate the outboard side, transforming a harmful energy loss into a beneficial lighting function that enhances side visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system recovers light energy that would normally be discarded or lost during the light guiding process. The angled reflecting surfaces capture light that would otherwise be wasted and redirect it to the outboard side, recovering useful illumination energy and improving overall lighting efficiency while enhancing side outboard lit appearance.
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 system achieves a brighter and more uniform outboard lit appearance, meeting regulatory standards and enhancing lighting efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide to provide different lighting and signaling functions. In particular, a light guide with multiple light sources is designed to transmit a generated light beam towards a vehicle's forward direction
Implementation Method 2
optical device components include a plurality of light-coupling reflectors (a.k.a. 'couplers'), a light-exit face and a light guiding portion that connects the couplers with the light-exit face
Implementation Method 3
a light-exit face with stepped surface facets and prismatic elements to enhance light distribution
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 1B~1C
Figure 3A
AI summary
The present application relates to automotive lighting modules that include multiple light sources a light guide, light-reflective couplers, optical facets, a light-exit face and a light-guiding portion. The arrangement extends the width of a light-reflective coupler (110) to be offset behind a successive coupler that creates an additional angled reflective surface that apportions light towards an outboard side rather than towards the primary optical axis direction and controls to redirect light at specific angles or enhances light distribution spread so as to improve lighting effects and enhance vehicle appearance. Coupler profiles (110) are formed by a curved facet (130) and a joined angled facet (125) where associated couplers are juxtaposed and offset from adjoining couplers. Angled surfaces (125) include multiple light reflecting facets (135) adapted to receive collimated light, which are directed towards a vehicle's outboard side. Each coupler's curved facet (130) receives other collimated light directed towards a forward direction of the vehicle.