Automotive Light-Guide Layout for Wide Illumination in Low Height
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-guide elements for automotive lighting, particularly those with short incoupling distances, are limited in their ability to produce wide, uniform illumination patterns required for modern vehicle designs.
Innovation Solution
A light-guide element with a compact design that incorporates a defined position for a light-emitting diode, a first reflection surface, a second reflection surface, and an outcoupling surface, arranged to allow light to be emitted in a first direction, reflected to a second direction opposite the first, and deflected onto the outcoupling surface, enabling wider illumination areas with uniform lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If light is coupled in with a short incoupling distance to a deflection surface, then the light-guide element can be made compact, but the width of the illuminated area and the size of the outcoupling surface are very limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a conventional single-reflection light path to a multi-dimensional light path by introducing multiple reflection surfaces (first and second reflection surfaces) that redirect light in different directions. This dimensional expansion of the light path allows the light to traverse a longer effective path within a compact physical footprint, thereby increasing the illuminated area width without proportionally increasing the element height.
Solution Approach 2:
The light path is folded back on itself multiple times within the light-guide element by using successive reflection surfaces. The light travels from the light source, reflects off the first reflection surface, then the second reflection surface, and finally reaches the outcoupling surface in a nested, space-efficient manner. This nesting of the light path allows maximum illumination width within minimum element height.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple reflection surfaces are used to increase illumination width, then the illuminated area can be widened, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reflection surfaces are merged into a single integrated light-guide element structure. Rather than using separate components for each reflection, the first and second reflection surfaces are incorporated as integral parts of the light-guide element, reducing assembly complexity and manufacturing steps while achieving the desired multi-directional light path.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-guide element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the source, provides multiple reflections to expand illumination width, and couples out the light at the outcoupling surface. The reflection surfaces are designed with specific geometric relationships that enable them to perform both light redirection and structural support functions, reducing the need for additional specialized components.
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
This design achieves a greater width of illumination with a lower height, allowing for the creation of narrow but wide light-guide elements suitable for modern automotive lighting designs, while maintaining a compact form factor.
Implementation Method 1
light from the light-emitting diode is emitted from the defined position in a first light direction to a first reflection surface, is reflected at the first reflection surface to a second reflection surface in a second light direction substantially opposite to the first light direction
Implementation Method 2
light can be deflected from the second reflection surface onto the outcoupling surface in a third light direction
Data Source
AI summary
A light-guide element for a lighting device for a motor vehicle, wherein the light-guide element has a defined position for a light-emitting diode, a first reflection surface, a second reflection surface, and an outcoupling surface. The defined position, the first reflection surface, the second reflection surface, and the output coupling surface are arranged relative to one another such that light from the light-emitting diode is emitted from the defined position in a first light direction to the first reflection surface, is reflected at the first reflection surface to the second reflection surface in a second light direction substantially opposite to the first light direction and can be deflected from the second reflection surface onto the outcoupling surface in a third light direction.