Multi-Light-Guide Layout for Uniform Vehicle Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices, particularly those used in vehicles, struggle to provide homogeneous illumination along a long light guide, such as across the width of a motor vehicle, due to non-uniform light intensity, especially in central areas where light guides meet or are adjacent, leading to poor illumination.
Innovation Solution
The lighting device integrates a first light guide with a second and third light guide, each with elongated sections and light entries, and a receiving optical element to redirect and mix light beams, ensuring homogeneous illumination by combining direct and indirect light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single long light guide is used to illuminate across the entire width of a motor vehicle, then the illumination area is increased, but the light intensity becomes non-uniform with greater intensity near the light emitters at the ends
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is divided into multiple independent light guides (first light guide, second light guide, third light guide) instead of using a single long light guide. Each light guide has light emitters at its ends, and they are arranged to illuminate different portions of the light entry zone, thereby covering the entire width while maintaining uniform light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Different light guides are positioned to provide localized illumination to specific portions of the light entry zone. The first light guide illuminates the first portion, the second light guide illuminates the second portion (including central areas), and the third light guide illuminates the third portion, ensuring each area receives appropriate light intensity.
2Illumination intensity
If the light guide is split into two portions of shorter length with light emitters at both ends of each portion, then the light intensity non-uniformity is reduced, but the central area where the portions meet becomes poorly illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device merges three light guides (first, second, and third) instead of just two, with their light entry zones overlapping or adjacent to each other. This combination ensures that the central area, which would be poorly illuminated with only two light guides, receives sufficient light from the second light guide specifically positioned to illuminate the second portion including central areas.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light guides are used to provide homogeneous illumination, then the light distribution uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each light guide (first, second, and third) is designed to perform multiple functions: they not only illuminate their respective portions of the light entry zone but also collectively contribute to illuminating the entire light exit zone through the first light guide's internal light transmission zone. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
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
Achieves uniform light distribution across the entire light exit zone, including central areas, by mixing light from multiple sources to compensate for non-uniformity, providing consistent illumination.
Implementation Method 1
the second light guide being configured and arranged to guide along said second light guide light beams entering said at least one light entry and redirect them to said light exit
Implementation Method 2
a receiving optical element configured and arranged to receive light beams incident on a receiving face thereof and transmit them transversely to said longitudinal direction towards a second portion of said light input zone
Implementation Method 3
a first light guide, comprising a light entry zone, an internal light transmission zone and a light exit zone, optically communicating with each other following an optical path
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention concerns a lighting device (D), comprising: - a first elongated light guide (G1), with a light entry zone (G1e), an internal light transmission zone (G1t) and a light exit zone (G1s); - a second elongated light guide (G2) that guides and redirects light beams transversely towards a first portion (G1e1) of the light entry zone (G1e); and - an elongated optical receiving element (O) which transmits light beams transversely to a second portion (G1e2) of the light input zone (G1e). The first light guide (G1) transmits to the outside the light transmitted through its internal light transmission zone (G1t) from the light beams entering through the first (G1e1) and second (G1e2) portions of the light entry zone (G1e).