Modular Optical Elements for Homogeneous Branched Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guides for motor vehicle headlights are limited by their one-piece design, which restricts their versatility and leads to significant light losses when bent or curved beyond a certain angle, resulting in an uneven luminous impression.
Innovation Solution
A modular optical attachment system comprising multiple light-guiding optical elements with specific light entry and exit areas, where the elements are aligned to form a common planar surface with minimal light loss, allowing for flexible shaping and reduced constrictions, enabling a homogeneous luminous impression without individual elements being perceptible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light guides are bent or curved to achieve flexible shaping, then adaptability is improved, but light loss increases and luminous homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light guide into multiple separate optical elements (first optical element, second optical element, etc.) that can be independently positioned and oriented. Each element has light entry areas and light exit areas, and they are arranged to form a common luminous surface without requiring bending, thus eliminating light loss while achieving flexible shaping capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single bent light guide (1D/2D curvature problem) to a three-dimensional arrangement of multiple optical elements positioned in space. The elements are configured with specific orientations and positions to form a common luminous surface, solving the bending limitation by using spatial arrangement instead of curvature.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light guides are bent or curved to achieve flexible shaping, then adaptability is improved, but luminous homogeneity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different orientations and positions to individual optical elements based on their specific locations in the arrangement. Each optical element is oriented to direct light appropriately, and the collective arrangement ensures uniform light distribution across the common luminous surface, achieving luminous homogeneity without bending.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple separate optical elements to form a unified luminous surface. The light exit areas of all elements are positioned to create a common luminous surface that appears homogeneous to the viewer, merging the output of individual elements into a cohesive lighting structure.
3Reliability
If light guides are made in one piece to ensure structural integrity, then reliability is improved, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light guide into multiple independent optical elements that can be separately manufactured, positioned, and arranged. This segmentation enables modular design where elements can be reconfigured for different applications while maintaining structural integrity of each individual element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs optical elements with universal light entry areas and light exit areas that can be arranged in various configurations to achieve different lighting patterns and shapes. The same basic optical element design can serve multiple functions when positioned differently, enhancing adaptability without sacrificing reliability.
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 modular system allows for customizable light distribution with minimal light loss, providing a homogeneous and flexible luminous impression suitable for various headlight designs while maintaining a compact installation space.
Implementation Method 1
light-guiding optical elements having a light entry area, a light exit area and a lateral surface connecting the light entry area and the light exit area
Data Source
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Figure 3(a)~4
Figure 5
AI summary
A front optic (1) for a light source for generating a branched luminous surface, the front optic (1) comprising at least a plurality of light-guiding optical elements (2), wherein each light-guiding optical element (2) has a light-inlet area (3), a light-outlet area (4) and a lateral surface (5), wherein the lateral surface (5) connects the light-inlet area (3) and the light-outlet area (4), the light-outlet area (4) is opposite the light-inlet area (3) and is associated with a light-outlet surface (6), which light-outlet surface (6) is bounded by a circumferential boundary line (7), wherein the boundary line (7) adjoins the light-outlet area (4), and the optical elements (2) are arranged such that the light-outlet surfaces (6) of all optical elements (2) lie in a common substantially planar surface (F), wherein each optical element (2) has a number of nearest neighbors.wherein its boundary line (7) has a number of sections (7a, 7b) which are each assigned to a section of the boundary line of a nearest neighbor, wherein assigned sections (7a, 7b) are adjacent and have corresponding curve profiles.