Monolithic Light Beam Forming Module for Uniform Vehicle Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle external lighting systems face challenges in achieving a 'crystal look' with uniform, unshaped surfaces and maintaining beam parameters, especially when additional optical filters are used, which complicates construction and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A monolithic light beam forming module with contiguous cross-sectional segments featuring entrance, exit, and multiple total internal reflection surfaces, including paraboloidal and flat surfaces with shaped optical structures, allowing for uniform and crystalline illumination without additional elements on the exit surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an additional optical filter is placed in the area of the exit surface to achieve crystal look and uniform illumination, then the external lighting quality is improved, but the construction complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the optical filter function directly into the exit surface of the light guide module by forming a shaped optical structure (micro-prisms, diffusers, or lenses) that is monolithically connected to the light guide body. This merging eliminates the need for separate additional optical filter elements, thereby achieving uniform crystal-like illumination while reducing construction complexity and assembly difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical filtering and beam shaping functions are built into the exit surface structure during the manufacturing process of the light guide module itself. By preliminarily forming the shaped optical structure as an integral part of the light guide, the system achieves the desired uniform illumination effect without requiring subsequent assembly of separate optical filter components.
2Illumination intensity
If additional optical filters are added to achieve desired lighting parameters, then the illumination quality is improved, but the space requirements and assembly maintenance problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide module and optical filter into a single integrated structure where the shaped optical structure is monolithically connected to the light guide body. This integration eliminates the need for separate assembly and maintenance of additional optical filter elements, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining precise beam parameter control.
3Shape
If multiple separate components are used to achieve crystal look, then the lighting quality is improved, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves the crystal look effect by integrating the optical filtering function directly into the exit surface structure of the light guide module. The shaped optical structure (comprising micro-prisms, diffusers, or lenses) is monolithically connected to the light guide body, creating a smooth unshaped surface appearance while eliminating the need for multiple separate components, thereby reducing the number of elements and assembly complexity.
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 provides a simple, compact structure with clear and strong uniform illumination, maintaining control over light direction and eliminating glare and internal shadows, suitable for both divergent and parallel light beams.
Implementation Method 1
A known effect used in this type of modules is the phenomenon of total internal reflection, which uses the fact that the light falling on the line between the media from the side of the medium with a higher refractive index at an angle greater than the limit angle, does not pass to the other medium, but is completely reflected within the first medium.
Data Source
AI summary
A light beam forming module, in particular in the vehicle external lighting system, is in the form of a monolithic body formed of a plurality of contiguous cross-sectional segments, each of which includes an entrance surface facing the light source, an exit surface, and a first total internal reflection surface and at least another total internal reflection surface. A first total internal reflection surface is positioned downstream of the entrance surface, and at least one further total internal reflection surface has a shaped optical structure formed thereon.