Vehicle Light Guide Layout for Progressive Illumination With Two LEDs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle signalling or lighting devices that provide an impression of progressive illumination from one end to another often require multiple light sources and complex control systems, increasing costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lighting device utilizing two LED diodes, two light guides, and an elongated screen, controlled by a microprocessor-based electronic unit to create the illusion of progressive illumination by alternating the power and intensity of the light sources in a sequential manner, using only two LED diodes and simple electronics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to create progressive illumination effect, then the visual effect is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a light guide to create an optical copy of the light from a single LED source, distributing it along the entire length of the screen. This allows the progressive illumination effect to be achieved without physically placing multiple light sources, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the visual effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic switching of a small number of LED sources in sequence along the light guide. By turning LEDs on and off in a timed sequence, the system creates the illusion of progressive illumination moving across the screen, achieving the visual effect with minimal actual light sources.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are switched on and off in sequence, then the progressive illumination effect is achieved, but the control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of controlling multiple independent light sources, the system controls a single light guide that distributes light along its length. The control unit manages the timing of LED activation along the light guide, creating the sequential effect through optical distribution rather than multiple controlled sources, thereby simplifying the control architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide acts as an intermediary between the LED sources and the screen. It receives light from sequentially activated LEDs and distributes it along its length, creating the progressive illumination effect. This intermediary component simplifies control by decoupling the timing control from the visual output distribution.
3Illumination intensity
If a light guide is used to distribute light, then the progressive illumination effect is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes light from LED sources, creates the progressive illumination pattern, and acts as a structural element of the device. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.
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 provides a cost-effective and simplified method to create the impression of light moving from one end to another, reducing the need for multiple light sources and complex control systems while maintaining a visually appealing progressive illumination effect.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide element, a light source unit... The control unit switches on the other light source after switching on the unit of a light source... The internal lighting device of the vehicle comprises: a light guide element
Implementation Method 2
consisting of an LED diode that supplies the light guide with light
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~6
Figure 7~8
AI summary
A vehicle signalling or lighting device (1) configured for providing an impression of progressive illumination from a first end to an opposite second end, the device including: a first light guide (2) provided with a first light source (3) at one light inlet end (2-in); a second light guide (4) provided with a second light source (5) at one light inlet end thereof (4-in); and an elongated screen (6) having a first face (6a) facing the first and the second guide (2, 4) and a second face (6b) opposite the first and facing, in use, the outside of the lighting device (1) . An electronic unit implements controlled powering of the first and second light source so that an observer who looks at the elongated screen 6 sees an elongated form of light on an external face thereof (6b) with an intensity that is not uniform along the length of the screen, providing the observer with the impression of light moving from one end to the second end.