Light-Guiding Optical System With Segmented Reflective Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light-guiding systems for vehicles face inefficiencies in light usage and distribution, requiring a high number of light sources to achieve desired light patterns, which increases production costs and limits adaptability to mechanical designs.
Innovation Solution
A light-guiding optical system comprising a planar light guide with a collimating element and reflective means, featuring lateral and central reflective surfaces for total reflection and direct light output, allowing for efficient light distribution and pattern projection on the output surface with a reduced number of light sources, and adaptable to mechanical and optical designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a high number of light sources are used to achieve desired light patterns, then the light coverage and pattern formation are improved, but the production costs and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective means is divided into multiple reflective surfaces (first reflective surface, second reflective surface, third reflective surface) that work together to distribute light from a single light source across the entire output surface, creating comprehensive light coverage without requiring multiple light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of reflective surfaces at different angles and positions to redirect light rays in multiple directions, transforming light distribution from a single-plane limitation to multi-dimensional coverage across the output surface
2Loss of energy
If reflective surfaces are configured for total reflection to increase light efficiency, then light utilization is improved, but the shape adaptability to mechanical design is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Different reflective surfaces are assigned different functions and orientations: the first reflective surface redirects light to the first lateral surface, the second reflective surface redirects light to the second lateral surface, and the third reflective surface directs light to the output surface. Each surface is locally optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving overall light efficiency and shape adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surfaces are configured with adjustable angles and positions that can be adapted to different mechanical designs and light guide shapes, allowing the system to maintain high light efficiency while accommodating various form factors and mechanical constraints
3Loss of energy
If collimating elements with central recesses are used to bind light rays, then light binding efficiency is improved, but the number of required light sources increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimating element and reflective means are integrated into a unified optical system where the collimating element binds light rays from the light source and the reflective means redistributes this bound light across the output surface. This merging allows a single light source to achieve both efficient light binding and comprehensive light distribution that would otherwise require multiple light sources
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 high light efficiency and even light intensity distribution on the output surface using a low number of light sources, ensuring effective light utilization and adaptability to various designs, thereby reducing production costs and enhancing light pattern uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
surfaces configured for total reflection of at least a part of the light rays falling onto them
Implementation Method 2
a collimating element...configured to bind light rays emitted by the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The light-guiding optical system comprises at least one light guide (1) made from an optically transparent material with an associated collimating element (2), and a light unit (3) to emit light rays (10) into the collimating element (2). The light guide (1) comprises on its front side an output surface (12) for the output of light rays (10) conducted by the light guide (1) out of the light guide (1), and on its bottom or top side, a binding surface (11) to bind light rays (10) collimated by the collimating element (2) into the light guide (1). The light guide (1) further comprises at least one reflective means (4) to produce light patterns (A, B, C) on the output surface (12) that comprises surfaces (41, 42, 43) configured for total reflection of at least a part of the light rays (10) falling onto them, a part of the light rays (10) reflected this way being directed by the reflective means (4) towards the lateral surfaces (15) and the remaining part being directed straight to the output surface (12) of the light guide (1). The reflective means (4) of the light guide (1) comprises two lateral reflective surfaces (41, 43) opening from a common contact edge (44) and configured for total reflection of the incident light rays towards the lateral surfaces (15), and one central surface (42) comprising one or more central reflective surfaces (42′), the central surface (42) touching each of the lateral reflective surfaces (41, 43) at one point at the most.