Vehicle Lighting Screen Albedo Layout for Passive Logo Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor-vehicle light-emitting screens integrated into rear lights have a black appearance when turned off, which is aesthetically unpleasing, and there is a need to display a logo without continuous power supply, which is impractical due to high power consumption and ecological concerns.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a light-emitting screen featuring a matrix array of light sources on a substrate, where the spaces between the sources have protective layers with different albedos, allowing a logo to be visible by reflecting ambient light without power, using materials like solder masks or silicone coatings to create contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a light-emitting screen is integrated into a motor-vehicle lighting device, then information and pictograms can be displayed with satisfactory resolution, but the screen forms a black zone when turned off which contrasts with the rest of the device and is considered unsightly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the optical properties of different zones on the substrate. The first zone (with light sources) has low albedo to appear black when off, while the second zone (without light sources) has high albedo to reflect ambient light and form a visible logo. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making the off-state appearance aesthetically pleasing while maintaining display functionality.
2Loss of information
If power is supplied to the light-emitting screen to display a logo continuously, then the logo remains visible, but the power consumption is far too great given the storage capacities of current vehicle batteries and is undesirable from an ecological point of view
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing the second zone to automatically reflect ambient light and form a visible logo without requiring active power supply. The high albedo material in the second zone passively utilizes environmental light to maintain logo visibility, eliminating continuous energy consumption while preserving the branding function.
3Shape
If the substrate is provided with a protective layer of low albedo to contribute to the black turned-off appearance, then the screen appearance is improved, but it is not possible to display a logo without power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the substrate into two distinct zones: a first zone with light sources and low albedo protective layer for black appearance when off, and a second zone without light sources and with high albedo protective layer for passive logo formation. This segmentation allows both the aesthetic black appearance and the logo display capability to coexist without requiring power.
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 logo to be displayed on the screen both day and night without power consumption, maintaining a non-black appearance and enhancing visibility.
Implementation Method 1
the second layer defining a logo... the second protective layer is placed on other tracks between the light sources and having a second albedo higher than the first albedo... capable of scattering ambient light (such as a light beam emitted by urban lighting or another vehicle) incident on the light-emitting screen
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle, including an illuminated screen having a plurality of light sources arranged in a matrix on a substrate having a plurality of electrical interconnecting tracks that extend between the light sources. The substrate includes a first protective layer which is disposed between the light sources and has a first albedo, and a second protective layer which is disposed between the light sources and has a second albedo that is greater than the first albedo, the second layer defining a logo.