Instrument Panel Light Guide With Prismatic Y-Shaped Reflector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light emitting assemblies for vehicle instrument panels suffer from non-uniform illumination due to the trade-off between the number and location of LEDs, resulting in 'bright spots' and 'dark spots', and light loss through locator tabs, affecting both aesthetics and safety.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting assembly featuring a transparent, moldable elastomeric light guide with refractive legs and a prismatic Y-shaped reflective structure that refracts and reflects light uniformly across the assembly, minimizing hot and dark spots by positioning locator tabs below the light guide plane.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are used to illuminate the instrument panel, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the uniformity of light transmission deteriorates due to bright spots and dark spots
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide assembly is introduced as an intermediary component between the LEDs and the instrument panel display. The light guide receives light from multiple LEDs and redistributes it uniformly across the display area through its optical properties and geometry, eliminating the need for each LED to directly illuminate specific areas and thus preventing bright and dark spots.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of the illumination system by using a light guide with specific refractive index and geometric configuration. By changing the path and distribution parameters of light through the light guide, the system achieves uniform illumination across the instrument panel while maintaining adequate illumination intensity.
2Ease of operation
If locator tabs are positioned at the light guide plane, then the structural positioning is improved, but light transmission is worsened due to light being mischanneled and lost
Solution Approach 1:
The locator tabs are repositioned from the light guide plane to a different spatial dimension or plane. This dimensional change allows the tabs to perform their structural positioning function without interfering with the light transmission path through the light guide, thereby eliminating light mischanneling while maintaining structural integrity.
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 achieves substantially uniform illumination of instrument panels, enhancing both aesthetics and safety by eliminating bright and dark spots, and ensuring consistent light transmission.
Implementation Method 1
The leg has an index of refraction for refracting the incident light ray to form a refractive light ray along the light transmissive leg
Implementation Method 2
The prismatic Y shaped light reflective structure forms an angle of reflection surface at said intersection with said first surface within the width of the body of a predetermined angle of reflection to reflect the refractive light ray from the leg to the second surface of the light guide assembly body
Implementation Method 3
The reflected light ray is then refracted substantially uniformly through said light guide assembly body along the first and second body surfaces to produce substantially uniform illumination of said light guide assembly
Data Source
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AI summary
In one aspect, the disclosure relates to a light emitting assembly for an instrument panel, which incudes a light guide assembly a light guide assembly body and at least one light transmissive leg extending from the light guide assembly body. The leg has a light input surface along an edge in close proximity to a light emitting diode. The leg may be integral with the body at an intersection that forms a prismatic Y shaped light reflective structure at the body. The prismatic Y shaped light reflective structure forms an angle of reflection surface at the intersection with the body of a predetermined angle of reflection to reflect light from the leg to the light guide assembly body. The reflected light ray is refracted substantially uniformly through the light guide assembly body to produce substantially uniform illumination of the light guide assembly.