Light-Guiding Radiator Grille Structure for Airflow and Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle radiator grilles lack innovation in both air flow functionality and aesthetic appeal, particularly in providing a distinct visual effect while maintaining air flow and compatibility across various conditions such as day/night and dry/wet weather.
Innovation Solution
A light-conducting radiator grille with a light guide, circuit boards, reflectors, and a transparent outer cover that directs light from LED sources through the grille, enhancing visibility and aesthetics while ensuring air flow and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LED spotlights are inserted into the gaps of the grille to provide lighting effect, then the visual effect is improved, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide element is introduced as an intermediary between the LED spotlights and the outer environment. The light guide receives light from multiple LED sources and distributes it uniformly across the grille structure, transforming discrete point light sources into a cohesive lighting pattern while simplifying the overall system architecture
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple functional components are merged into an integrated assembly: the light guide element, LED spotlights, reflectors, and housing form a unified lighting module that replaces traditional separate lighting and grille components, reducing overall system complexity
2Illumination intensity
If the radiator grille is illuminated all the way around to create visual effect, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the air flow functionality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting function is localized to specific regions within the grille structure rather than requiring complete illumination. LED spotlights are positioned in gaps between ribs, and the light guide distributes this localized light source across the visible surface, maintaining aesthetic effect while preserving air flow paths
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into discrete LED spotlights positioned at specific locations within the grille gaps, rather than requiring continuous illumination. This segmentation allows air to flow through the grille structure while light is distributed across the visible surface through the light guide element
3Illumination intensity
If the outer cover is made transparent to allow light transmission, then the lighting visibility is improved, but the protection against contamination deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element serves as an intermediary that transmits light from the LED sources through the housing structure to the outer cover. This indirect light transmission path allows the outer cover to remain transparent for visibility while the housing and internal structure provide protection against contamination
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide creates an optical copy or distribution of the light source across the visible surface. The LED spotlights generate light that is copied and distributed through the light guide to multiple locations on the outer cover, maintaining visibility while isolating the actual light sources from environmental exposure
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 improved visibility and aesthetics by efficiently directing light from LED sources through the grille, maintaining air flow, and ensuring compatibility across different conditions, while also preventing contamination and moisture ingress.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (2), wherein the outer cover (1) is transparent to light from the light guide (2)
Implementation Method 2
at least one reflector (8) for the light sources (6). The light emitted by the respective spotlight source is therefore radiated towards the reflector (8) and reflected to the light guide (2)
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light-guiding radiator grill which comprises a light guide (2), a printed circuit board (10) with a plurality of light sources (6), a housing (5), a frame, and an outer cover (1). The housing (5) is peripherally connected to the outer cover (1), and the frame and the light guide (2) are located between the housing (5) and the outer cover (1), wherein the frame is secured at least to one of the two parts consisting of the housing (5) and the outer cover (1), and the light guide (2) is attached to the frame. The light-guiding radiator grill additionally comprises at least one reflector (8), and the light guide (2) has a horizontal panel which is connected to multiple rib pairs. Each rib has a rear section which projects towards the horizontal panel in the direction of the housing (5), and a space for the light sources (6) and printed circuit boards (10) is delimited between the rear sections. At least one light source (6) is aligned towards one of the ribs, and at least one other light source is aligned towards the reflector (8).