Narrow Contour Lighting via Localized Coating Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contour lighting for motor vehicles produces a wide light strip, which is often undesirable due to optical or structural constraints, particularly when highlighting small components or integrating into limited spaces.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a transparent plastic housing and a light guide that emits light laterally, where a non-transparent coating is locally removed to create a very thin light exit line, allowing for a narrow light strip, and a receptacle for the light guide is integrated into the housing for secure placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional light guide is used for contour lighting, then the light strip provides sufficient illumination, but the light strip width becomes too wide (typically around 2.5 mm or more)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light guide structure into two separate components: a light guide element that provides illumination and a housing element that provides structural support and mounting functionality. This segmentation allows the light guide to be optimized for narrow light output while the housing provides the necessary structural dimensions, resolving the contradiction between illumination sufficiency and narrow strip width.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffuser as an intermediary element between the light guide and the housing. The diffuser has a first surface that receives light from the light guide and a second surface that interfaces with the housing. This intermediary allows the light to be distributed evenly across a narrow exit width while maintaining sufficient illumination intensity, solving the contradiction between narrow width and adequate lighting.
2Length of moving object
If the light guide cross-sectional area is reduced to create a narrower light strip, then the light strip width decreases, but the light guide cannot maintain sufficient structural integrity and illumination properties
Solution Approach 1:
By separating the light guide from the housing structure, the patent allows the light guide to be a thin, narrow element optimized for light output without needing substantial cross-sectional area for structural support. The housing independently provides the structural integrity and mounting capabilities, enabling the light guide to achieve narrow width while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite structure combining the light guide material (optimized for light transmission) with the housing material (optimized for structural strength and mounting). This composite approach allows each component to be made from materials best suited for its specific function, enabling the light guide to be narrow and thin while the housing provides robust structural support.
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
Enables the production of a very narrow light strip with a width of 0.3-0.5 mm, effectively emphasizing small components' contours without increasing the lighting device's width, while maintaining aesthetic flexibility through various coating options.
Implementation Method 1
Light is coupled into the light guide at one end and exits laterally along its length
Implementation Method 2
at least this area is covered with a coating that is opaque to the coupled light
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Lighting device, in particular contour lighting for a motor vehicle, wherein a housing (2) is made of a plastic material transparent to light coupled into the housing, which acts as a diffuser and is covered at least in the area of its outer surface which is visible in the mounting position with a coating (3) which is not transparent to the coupled light and which is locally removed to form a narrow light emission line (5).