Extruded Light Pipe Carrier With Opaque Translucent Zones
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern vehicle interiors with specialty and accent lighting face challenges in minimizing light loss through seams and gaps in trim panels, requiring effective design to direct light discreetly while preventing unwanted emission.
Innovation Solution
A light pipe lighting apparatus with a carrier that includes both opaque and translucent portions, where the opaque portion prevents light from escaping beyond the side surface, and the translucent portion directs light outward, using an elastomeric carrier with a flange to secure the light pipe to the vehicle surface, ensuring efficient light emission without leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a light pipe is used for specialty lighting in vehicle interiors, then lighting can be provided in discrete locations, but light loss through seams and gaps in trim panels increases
Solution Approach 1:
A carrier structure is introduced as an intermediary component between the light pipe and the vehicle interior trim panels. This carrier includes opaque portions that act as light barriers to prevent light from escaping through seams and gaps, while translucent portions allow desired light emission. The carrier thus mediates between the light source and the environment, controlling light distribution and preventing energy loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is designed with spatially varying optical properties: opaque portions are positioned at locations where light leakage must be prevented (such as near seams and gaps in trim panels), while translucent portions are positioned where light emission is desired. This local differentiation of material properties allows precise control over light distribution, enabling the system to adapt to specific lighting requirements at different locations.
2Loss of energy
If an opaque barrier is used to prevent light leakage, then light loss is reduced, but light cannot be directed to desired areas
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier incorporates both opaque and translucent portions in specific spatial arrangements. The opaque portions prevent light leakage in certain directions (particularly toward seams and gaps), while translucent portions allow light to pass through in desired directions. This local differentiation enables simultaneous achievement of light containment and directed illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier is segmented into distinct functional zones with different optical properties. Rather than using a single uniform barrier, the carrier is divided into opaque segments for light blocking and translucent segments for light transmission. This segmentation allows the system to prevent light loss in unwanted areas while maintaining light emission in desired areas.
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 effectively directs light to desired areas while preventing unwanted emission, enhancing the aesthetic and functional aspects of vehicle interior lighting by maintaining light within intended spaces.
Implementation Method 1
The opaque portion abuts the side surface for preventing light from emitting beyond the side surface
Implementation Method 2
The translucent portion is adjacent to the opaque portion
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus for a vehicle includes a light source and a light pipe. The light pipe has a first end coupled with the light source, a second end, and a side surface extending between the first and second ends for radially emitting light. A carrier surrounds the side surface and includes an opaque portion and a translucent portion. The opaque portion abuts the side surface for preventing light from emitting beyond the side surface. The translucent portion extends adjacent to the opaque portion.