Vehicle Outer Lens Texture for Homogeneous Light Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Newly developed vehicle lighting assemblies often suffer from insufficient clarity and homogeneity in light emission, leading to visual disruptions and aesthetic issues due to gaps or slits, which also increase material thickness and costs.
Innovation Solution
The integration of a surface texture with microscopic protrusions on the inner surface of the outer lens, which diffuses light and reduces visual discontinuity across slits, achieved through injection molding with etched tools, eliminating the need for additional diffusers or coatings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If additional diffusers or coatings are added to homogenize light, then light homogeneity is improved, but device complexity and material costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light homogenization function directly into the outer lens by integrating a diffusing layer within the lens structure. This combines multiple functions (protection, light transmission, and homogenization) into a single component, eliminating the need for separate diffusers or coatings while achieving uniform light distribution across the emission surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The outer lens is constructed as a composite structure with a diffusing layer integrated within the transparent material. This composite approach allows the lens to simultaneously provide optical clarity for light transmission and light scattering for homogenization, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple structure and achieving uniform illumination.
2Weight of stationary object
If the outer lens thickness is reduced to lower material costs, then material costs and weight are reduced, but light homogeneity and visual continuity across slits deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating the diffusing layer only in specific regions within the outer lens structure where light homogenization is needed. This localized approach allows the lens to maintain reduced overall thickness while still achieving uniform light distribution in the emission areas, and ensures visual continuity across slits by treating the optical properties locally rather than requiring uniform thickness throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
By merging the diffusing function into the lens material itself rather than adding separate thick components, the patent achieves light homogenization without proportionally increasing overall lens thickness. The integrated diffusing layer provides optical homogenization while maintaining a compact, thin profile that reduces material usage and cost.
3Shape
If gaps or slits are introduced for design purposes, then aesthetic appearance and design flexibility are improved, but visual continuity of light signature is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the diffusing layer as an intermediary element that bridges the visual discontinuity created by gaps or slits in the outer lens. The diffusing layer scatters light in a way that creates a soft transition across the gap, making the interruption less visually apparent and maintaining the perceived continuity of the light signature while preserving the design benefits of the gap.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the outer lens. In areas with gaps or slits, the diffusing layer is positioned to specifically address the visual discontinuity, while other regions maintain their original optical characteristics. This localized optical treatment preserves design flexibility while restoring visual continuity where needed.
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 provides a clear, homogenized, and aesthetically enhanced lighting signature with reduced material thickness and costs, ensuring continuous light emission even under small observation angles.
Implementation Method 1
The inner surface of the outer lens comprises a surface texture which is configured to diffuse light
Implementation Method 2
reduces visual discontinuity across slits
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~4B
Figure 5~6
AI summary
A lighting assembly (1) for a vehicle comprises a light source (10) accommodated in a housing member (5) and configured to emit light. The lighting assembly (1) comprises an outer lens (20) coupled to the housing member (5), wherein at least a portion of the outer lens (20) is positioned to receive light emitted from the light source (10) and to transmit the received light to the outside; a black mask member (40) surrounding the portion of the outer lens (20); the portion of the outer lens (20) comprises an inner surface (24), wherein at least a part of the inner surface (24) comprises an integrally formed surface texture (26) to diffusively transmit light received from the light source (10).