Vehicle Light Pipe Assembly for Uniform 360° Badge Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular lighting systems struggle to achieve uniform 360° illumination without visible light guide optic features and without the light source being visible, while also maintaining high light efficiency and avoiding hot spots.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising one or more light pipes with overlapping regions to form a loop, combined with light sources positioned to emit light into the light pipes, and a lens with a continuous transparent and/or translucent coating to achieve homogeneous 360° illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED light sources are used to backlight badges or emblems, then energy efficiency and longevity are improved, but the LED's directional light distribution causes hot spots and non-uniform luminance
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide element is introduced as an intermediary between the LED light source and the badge surface. The light guide receives directional light from the LED and redistributes it uniformly across the badge surface through its optical properties, eliminating hot spots while maintaining LED energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide element has spatially varying optical properties - it is configured with specific refractive indices, absorption coefficients, and scattering characteristics at different locations to achieve uniform light distribution. The local optical properties are tailored to compensate for the directional nature of LED light
2Illumination intensity
If light guide optic features are used to achieve uniform light distribution, then luminance uniformity is improved, but the optic features become visible in the unlit state
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element uses optical properties that are activated by light absorption and re-emission. In the unlit state, the material appears uniform and non-descript. When illuminated, the material's optical properties cause it to emit uniform light, making the optic features invisible during operation while preventing visibility when unlit
Solution Approach 2:
The optical parameters of the light guide element (refractive index, absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient) are specifically selected and configured to change their effectiveness based on illumination state. The material properties are tuned so that optical features remain hidden in darkness but become effective for uniform light distribution when illuminated
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to achieve 360° illumination with light pipes, then illumination coverage is improved, but the light sources may stand in the path of light and reduce light efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple light guide elements arranged around the badge, each receiving light from a portion of the LED array. This segmentation allows light to be distributed uniformly without requiring light sources to be positioned in paths that would block light transmission, maintaining high light efficiency while achieving 360° coverage
Solution Approach 2:
Light guide elements serve as intermediaries that receive light from LED sources positioned at the periphery and transport it to the badge surface. This intermediary approach allows the light sources to be positioned where they do not block light paths, while the light guides efficiently deliver light to all areas including achieving 360° illumination
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 provides a uniform and efficient 360° illumination, hiding the light sources until lit, and reducing light loss through the use of cladding and overlapping light pipes, resulting in a consistent and aesthetically pleasing light output.
Implementation Method 1
Light pipes are used in such systems to deliver the light from the light source over distances to the place of illumination. Thereby light pipes rely on total internal reflection.
Implementation Method 2
a lens substantially enclosing the interior, the one or more light pipes and the one or more light sources, wherein the lens, having an inner surface and an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, is provided with a continuous transparent and/or translucent coating on the outer surface
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprising a light assembly for illumination of a vehicle design element includes a plurality of light pipes, each comprising a core; one or more light sources, each of the one or more light sources being disposed adjacent to and directed toward one or more of the plurality of the light pipes, wherein light emitted from the one or more light sources is split into reflected light that propagates within the core of one or more of the plurality of light pipes and diffuse light that exits one or more of the plurality of light pipe; and a lens having an inner surface and an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, the lens including a continuous transparent and/or translucent coating on the outer surface The continuous transparent and/or translucent coating is at least partially permeable to at least some of the diffuse light which is passed through the lens. The continuous transparent and/or translucent coating comprises a metal, an alloy or a conductive metalloid, providing a chromium or chromium-based reflective coating. End portions of at least two of the plurality of light sources overlap, providing at least one region of overlap.