Vehicle Light Pipe and Coated Lens for Hidden Till Lit Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicular lighting systems are not optimally suited for lateral illumination, often lacking flexibility and design customization, and can be expensive due to the use of complex optics or visible diffusing materials, while Hidden Till Lit (HTL) systems suffer from issues like light bleed and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A light emitting system featuring a light pipe, a light source, and a lens with a transparent or translucent coating that allows light to be emitted only when activated, providing uniform illumination without visible light sources, using LEDs or OLEDs, and allowing for customizable designs without visible optic features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional illumination means are used for lateral illumination, then good security is provided, but installation space is insufficient and design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple light guides with different optical characteristics (diffusing, transparent, reflecting) that can be selectively arranged in different installation spaces. This allows the system to adapt to various spatial constraints while maintaining reliable illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the illumination system use light guides with locally optimized properties - some regions use diffusing light guides for uniform illumination, while other regions use transparent or reflecting light guides for specific design requirements. This local customization enables both reliable illumination and design flexibility.
2Illumination intensity
If highly diffusing materials are used to achieve uniform luminous intensity, then uniform illumination is provided, but a milky or hazy appearance occurs and optical efficiency is poor
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using highly diffusing materials throughout, the system applies diffusing properties only where needed for uniform illumination, while using transparent or reflecting light guides in other areas to maintain optical efficiency and avoid milky appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system uses composite light guide structures combining different material properties (diffusing, transparent, reflecting) in a single integrated system, achieving uniform illumination without the drawbacks of purely diffusing materials.
3Illumination intensity
If optic features are used on clear materials to diffuse light, then light diffusion is achieved, but the optic features are visible in the unlit state which is undesirable
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies optical features locally and selectively - using transparent light guides without visible features in areas where appearance is critical, and using diffusing features only where needed for illumination uniformity and not visible from external viewpoints.
4Use of energy by moving object
If LED light sources are used for backlighting, then directional lighting is provided, but bright or hot spots appear to external viewers
Solution Approach 1:
Light guides serve as intermediaries between the directional LED light sources and the final illumination surface. The light guides redistribute the directional light to achieve uniform luminance across the backlighted area while maintaining the energy efficiency of LED sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses different types of light guides (diffusing, transparent, reflecting) in different locations to locally optimize light distribution and eliminate hot spots while preserving the directional efficiency of LEDs.
5Shape
If Hidden Till Lit systems are used to hide lighting means, then the light source is not visible, but light bleed and system complexity occur
Solution Approach 1:
The light guides serve multiple functions simultaneously - they transport light from the source, diffuse or redirect light to achieve uniform illumination, and act as the visible illumination surface itself. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing system complexity while maintaining the Hidden Till Lit effect.
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 uniform and flexible lighting for vehicular components like badges and emblems, enhancing safety and aesthetics while minimizing costs and design complexity, with the light source being hidden until activated, thus avoiding issues like light bleed and double imaging.
Implementation Method 1
A light emitting system includes at least one light pipe
Implementation Method 2
a lens with a transparent or translucent coating that allows light to be emitted
Implementation Method 3
the continuous transparent and/or translucent coating is at least partially permeable to at least some light
Data Source
AI summary
A light emitting system includes a light pipe, a light source disposed at least partially within an interior of the light emitting system, and configured to emit light when receiving electrical power from an electrical power source, wherein the light source is arranged adjacent to and directed towards the light pipe, a lens substantially enclosing the interior of the light emitting system, the light pipe and the light source, the lens having an inner surface and an outer surface disposed opposite the inner surface, and a mask comprising a coating that is applied on the lens and laser etched to form a desired pattern, wherein light emitted from the light source passes through the light pipe and lens.