Light Signature Backlighting with Volume Scattering and Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices for illuminating or backlighting light signatures in vehicles face challenges in achieving homogeneous illumination while maintaining a thin structure, particularly with low transmission mirror coatings, leading to hotspots and inhomogeneities due to insufficient light path for homogenization.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device design incorporating a semiconductor light source with a partially transparent reflective layer and a translucent volume scattering material, where light is scattered and reflected to reduce hotspots, allowing for efficient and homogeneous illumination in a thin structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a thin structure is used for the lighting device, then the component thickness is reduced for pedestrian protection, but homogeneous illumination cannot be ensured due to insufficient light path for homogenization
Solution Approach 1:
A translucent volume scattering material is introduced as an intermediary between the LED and the light signature. This scattering material diffuses the light rays, creating a homogeneous illumination pattern while maintaining a thin overall structure. The scattering material acts as a mediator that transforms the directional LED light into uniform illumination without requiring a thick light path.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the light path by introducing a scattering material with specific translucency and scattering properties. This allows the light to be homogenized through scattering effects rather than requiring a long propagation path, enabling thin construction while maintaining illumination quality.
2Illumination intensity
If laterally emitting LEDs with oblique light emission direction are used, then hotspots are prevented, but the light path for homogenization is still insufficient in thin structures
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent volume scattering material serves as a mediator that further diffuses the obliquely emitted light from the LEDs. This scattering material ensures that even with oblique emission angles, the light paths are sufficiently extended and randomized to achieve homogeneous illumination without creating hotspots, while maintaining a thin overall structure.
3Illumination intensity
If chrome-plated or mirrored light signatures are used for attractive appearance, then metallic appearance is achieved, but light transmission is reduced to only 1%-20%
Solution Approach 1:
The translucent volume scattering material acts as an intermediary that compensates for the low transmission of the chrome-plated or mirrored light signatures. By scattering and homogenizing the light before it reaches the low-transmission signature, the system achieves the desired metallic appearance while maximizing the utilization of the limited transmitted light, thereby reducing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the illumination parameters by adjusting the light scattering properties and distribution before the light reaches the chrome-plated signature. This ensures that the limited transmitted light (1%-20%) is distributed as uniformly as possible, maximizing the visual effect while minimizing energy loss.
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 enables a thin, efficient, and cost-effective lighting device with improved homogenization of light emission, reducing hotspots and ensuring uniform brightness across light signatures.
Implementation Method 1
A translucent volume scattering material, which is arranged in the space between the at least one semiconductor light source and the at least one associated partially transparent reflective layer
Implementation Method 2
at least one partially transparent reflective layer which is arranged in front of and at a distance from at least one associated semiconductor light source in the main direction of emission
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for illuminating or backlighting a light signature, comprising: at least one semiconductor light source for emitting light in a main radiation direction corresponding to an optical axis of the semiconductor light source, at least one partially transparent reflective layer arranged in front of and at a distance from at least one associated semiconductor light source in the main emission direction, and a translucent volume scattering material which is arranged at the distance between the at least one semiconductor light source and the at least one associated partially transparent reflective layer, or which is arranged in front of the partially transparent reflective layer in the main radiation direction.