Optical Conductor with Curved Light-Extraction Areas
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical conductors in vehicle lighting systems lack the ability to provide highly regular surface illumination and efficient light extraction, leading to inefficient light distribution and design limitations.
Innovation Solution
The use of spherically curved light-extraction areas with specific height-to-radius ratios (0.1 to 0.45) on an optical conductor, allowing for uniform light emission and efficient extraction of useful light while minimizing interference light, achieved through the arrangement and design of these areas on a transparent body such as plastic or glass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional optical conductors are used in vehicle lighting systems, then the basic light transmission function is achieved, but highly regular surface illumination and efficient light extraction cannot be provided
Solution Approach 1:
The optical conductor surface is segmented into multiple discrete light-extraction areas arranged in a regular pattern. Each area functions as an independent light extraction zone, enabling highly regular surface illumination while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure. The segmentation allows precise control over light distribution without requiring complex optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
Specific regions of the optical conductor surface are given different properties through the light-extraction areas. These areas have specific geometric characteristics (height h between 0.05-2mm, radius R between 0.1-5mm, h/R ratio between 0.1-0.45) that optimize light extraction locally, while the rest of the surface maintains its light-guiding function. This local differentiation achieves efficient light extraction without complicating the entire structure.
2Loss of energy
If light extraction efficiency is increased through surface modifications, then useful light extraction is improved, but interference light and irregular illumination patterns may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light-extraction areas feature spherically curved surfaces with specifically controlled geometry (height h, radius R, and h/R ratio between 0.1-0.45). This curvature optimizes the refraction and extraction of useful light while minimizing scattered interference light. The spherical shape provides consistent light extraction characteristics across all areas, ensuring uniform illumination patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes specific geometric parameters of the light-extraction areas to balance extraction efficiency and illumination uniformity. The height h (0.05-2mm), radius R (0.1-5mm), and particularly the h/R ratio (0.1-0.45) are carefully controlled to maximize useful light extraction while maintaining regular illumination patterns. These parameter optimizations ensure that light is extracted efficiently without creating interference patterns.
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
This solution enables the creation of highly regular light patterns and design effects with uniform brightness, enhancing light extraction efficiency and maintaining consistent light distribution across the surface, even when viewed from different angles.
Implementation Method 1
Optical conductor with a plurality of spherically curved light-extraction areas on its surface... uniform light emission and efficient extraction of useful light
Data Source
AI summary
An optical conductor has several spherically curved light-extraction areas on its surface that are arranged in spaced relationship to one another and have a particular height (h) and a particular radius (R) of surface curvature, wherein h/R ratios of the respective height to the respective radius of all light-extraction areas are substantially equal and lie within a range of 0.1 to 0.45. A lighting system comprises one or more optical conductors and one or more light sources for irradiation of at least one light-injection area of the optical conductor, wherein useful light radiated from the front of the optical conductor can be emitted unscattered from the lighting system and/or interference light emitted outside of a useful light path is absorbable by the lighting system. Some embodiments may be particularly applicable in vehicle lighting systems.