Opaque Casing for Vehicle Optical Waveguide Light Scattering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle lighting devices with elongate optical waveguides suffer from scattered light escape, leading to undesirable thermal appearance and photometrical losses due to incomplete shading by the holder and carrier plate, and potential thermal damage from light extraction.
Innovation Solution
An opaque casing is introduced in the end region of the optical waveguide with a fastener to prevent scattered light escape, using a design that encloses the circumferential surface and minimizes locking protrusions, allowing for secure fastening to the holder while avoiding thermal issues and photometrical losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the holder and carrier plate are used to shade the end region of the optical waveguide, then the structure is simple, but scattered light escapes leading to thermal appearance and photometrical losses
Solution Approach 1:
An opaque casing is introduced as an intermediary component between the optical waveguide and the holder/carrier plate. This casing completely encloses the end region of the optical waveguide, preventing scattered light from escaping while maintaining structural simplicity. The casing acts as a mediator that solves the shading problem without requiring complex holder or carrier plate modifications.
2Strength
If a circumferential collar is used to engage behind the holder opening edge, then fastening is achieved, but light extraction causes thermal damage to the holder
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque casing serves as a mediator between the optical waveguide and the holder. It provides the fastening function through integrated fasteners while preventing direct light extraction into the holder, thereby eliminating thermal damage. The casing isolates the holder from harmful thermal effects while maintaining secure mechanical attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The fastening function is extracted from the holder structure and transferred to the opaque casing. The casing includes integrated fasteners that engage with the holder, separating the fastening mechanism from the holder itself. This extraction allows the holder to be shielded from thermal damage while maintaining fastening capability.
3Strength
If locking protrusions are formed on the optical waveguide for direct locking, then secure attachment is achieved, but scattering losses occur in the coupling region
Solution Approach 1:
The locking protrusions are extracted from the optical waveguide and transferred to the opaque casing. The casing includes fasteners that provide secure attachment without requiring modifications to the optical waveguide's coupling region. This extraction eliminates scattering losses while maintaining secure attachment through the casing's integrated fastening mechanism.
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 effectively prevents scattered light from escaping, minimizing thermal appearance and photometrical losses, ensuring a stable and efficient light distribution while preventing thermal damage to the holder.
Implementation Method 1
scattered light emitted by the light source can escape to the side, which leads to an undesirable thermal appearance of the lighting device
Implementation Method 2
an opaque casing having a fastener via which the elongate optical waveguide is fastened to the holder
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for vehicles with an elongate optical waveguide, with a light source associated with a first end of the optical waveguide, with a carrier plate bearing the light source and with a holder which is connected to the optical waveguide in an end region, wherein the optical waveguide is provided with an opaque casing at least in the end region, which has at least one fastener via which the optical waveguide is fastened to the holder.