Vehicle Light Module Heat Sink Recesses to Block Light Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light modules for vehicle lighting devices suffer from undesirable light leakage through cavities in the heat sink, which are designed as through openings to accommodate referencing means, leading to scattered light that can be seen from the outside.
Innovation Solution
The light module incorporates recesses in the heat sink that accommodate referencing means, which are closed or substantially closed at the rear, preventing light from escaping and minimizing leakage by using recesses that are not completely open.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If through openings are used in the heat sink to accommodate referencing means, then adjustment and positioning are simplified and accurate, but light leakage occurs and scattered light becomes visible from the outside
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful function of light leakage by modifying the cavity structure from a through-opening to a blind recess. The referencing means are still accessible for positioning, but the light path is blocked by the recess geometry, separating the positioning function from the light transmission path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a recess with specific geometric properties (smaller cross-section at the rear end) that is localized at the positioning function area. This allows the heat sink to have different properties in different regions: open at the front for access, closed at the rear to block light.
2Ease of manufacture
If cavities are designed as through openings to accommodate referencing means, then the referencing means can be easily accessed for positioning, but light can exit through the rear side causing undesirable leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light transmission path through the cavity by redesigning it as a blind recess. The cavity still accommodates the referencing means for manufacturing and positioning purposes, but the light energy is contained within the heat sink structure and cannot escape through the rear side.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the recess is completely closed at the rear, then light leakage is completely prevented, but the referencing means may have limited access for positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a recess with non-uniform cross-sectional area along its length. The front opening maintains sufficient size for accessing referencing means, while the rear cross-section is reduced to block light. This gradient geometry simultaneously satisfies both access requirements and light blocking requirements.
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 effectively reduces light leakage by ensuring that light generated by the light-generating unit does not exit through the rear of the heat sink, improving the optical performance and reducing undesirable scattered light.
Implementation Method 1
a heat sink for cooling the light-generating unit
Implementation Method 2
an optical unit for deforming the light emitted by the light-generating unit
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a light module for a lighting device of a vehicle, in particular for a headlight of a vehicle. The light module comprises a light-generating unit for emitting light, an optical unit for deforming the light emitted by the light-generating unit, and a heat sink for cooling the light-generating unit, the heat sink having a front side facing the optical unit and a rear side facing away from the optical unit, the light-generating unit being situated between the optical unit and the heat sink, the optical unit comprising at least one referencing means, and the heat sink having a recess that accommodates the referencing means on the front side facing the optical unit, and the recess being closed or substantially closed at the rear.