Vehicle Light Unit With Conductive Diffuser for Homogeneous LED Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting and signaling devices for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving homogeneous luminous patterns using pixelated elementary light sources, as they often result in a set of light points that appear close together, and current solutions like OLEDs are costly and less reliable than conventional LEDs.
Innovation Solution
A light assembly using conventional LEDs with a support structure and optically transparent, electrically conductive covering material to create a homogeneous illuminating surface by diffusing light from each source, ensuring electrical contact and mechanical retention, while maintaining a low cost and high light output.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional LEDs are arranged in a pixelated pattern with minimal spacing, then light intensity and cost-effectiveness are improved, but luminous homogeneity deteriorates (appears as discrete light points)
Solution Approach 1:
A transparent covering layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the discrete LEDs and the observer. This layer diffuses the light from individual LEDs, merging the discrete light points into a continuous homogeneous luminous surface while preserving the high light intensity output of conventional LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent covering layer modifies the optical appearance by diffusing light, transforming the visual perception from discrete points to a continuous surface. This optical transformation achieves luminous homogeneity without changing the physical arrangement or intensity of the underlying LEDs.
2Manufacturing precision
If OLEDs are used to create emissive surfaces, then luminous homogeneity is improved, but cost, reliability, and light intensity performance worsen
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using OLEDs to directly emit light, the invention uses conventional LEDs as light sources and creates a visual copy of a continuous emissive surface through the diffusing covering layer. This approach achieves the appearance of OLED homogeneity while maintaining the reliability and cost advantages of conventional LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent covering layer acts as a mediator that translates the discrete output of conventional LEDs into a continuous luminous appearance, eliminating the need to switch to less reliable OLED technology while still achieving the desired homogeneous visual effect.
3Area of stationary object
If elementary light sources are placed close together, then device size is reduced, but the perception of discrete light points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent covering layer serves as a visual mediator that obscures the discrete nature of closely-spaced LEDs. By diffusing light across the covering layer, it creates a continuous luminous appearance even when LEDs are positioned at minimal spacing, thus achieving compact device size without sacrificing perceived homogeneity.
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 produces a perceived homogeneous illuminating surface with reliable and optically efficient conventional LEDs, reducing production costs and enhancing aesthetic appeal while maintaining high light intensity and long lifespan.
Implementation Method 1
optically transparent and electrically conductive covering material to create a homogeneous illuminating surface by diffusing light from each source
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a light unit (100) for a lighting and/or signalling device of a motor vehicle, comprising a plurality of basic light sources (1a, … 1i, … 1n) arranged on a support (200). In the light unit (100) according to the invention, each basic light source (1a, … 1i, … 1n) is a light-emitting diode which is electrically connected, on the one hand, to a first conductive layer (30) of the support (200) and, on the other hand, to a second conductive layer (31) of the support (200), the first conductive layer (30) and the second conductive layer (31) being arranged on either side of a thickness (20) of the support (200). In the light unit (100) according to the invention, each light-emitting diode (1a, … 1i, … 1n) is placed in a receiving aperture (5a, … 5i, … 5n) which is arranged in the support (200), the receiving aperture (5a, … 5i, … 5n) extending through the first conductive layer (30) and through a thickness (20) of the support (200), respectively, as far as the second conductive layer (31), each light-emitting diode (1a, … 1i, … 1n) being partially encapsulated in a covering material (80, 80') which is optically transparent and electrically conductive.