Planar Light Guide with Collimating Element and Reflective Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current light guides for vehicles face inefficiencies in light usage and distribution, particularly with thin, planar designs where light efficiency is compromised to achieve the required shape, and existing solutions struggle to adapt to mechanical and optical design requirements.
Innovation Solution
A light-conductive optical system featuring a planarly shaped light guide with a collimating element and reflective means where the output surface and binding surface are strategically positioned to enhance light distribution, using overlapping parts with reflective means to direct light rays efficiently and adapt to mechanical design needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide is designed to be thin and planar to meet mechanical design requirements, then the adaptability to mechanical design is improved, but the light efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple sections along its longitudinal axis, with each section having different geometric parameters (width, thickness) optimized for specific functions. This segmentation allows the light guide to maintain thin overall dimensions while having thicker regions for efficient light coupling and thinner regions for mechanical flexibility and desired optical output characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide are assigned different local properties: the input region has optimized dimensions for maximum light binding efficiency, the intermediate regions have varying thicknesses for light distribution control, and the output region is shaped to achieve uniform light intensity distribution. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between overall thin design and localized efficiency requirements.
2Length of stationary object
If the output surface is made thin to meet design requirements, then the thickness is reduced, but the light efficiency is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide employs a dynamic thickness profile along its length rather than a uniform thickness. The thickness varies continuously or in steps to optimize light propagation: thicker at the input for efficient coupling, gradually thinning toward the output to control light distribution, achieving both thin overall design and high light efficiency through adaptive geometry.
3Loss of energy
If reflective surfaces are configured for total reflection to increase light efficiency, then light binding is improved, but the shape adaptability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The reflective surfaces are segmented into multiple zones with different orientations and curvatures. Each zone is optimized for specific light redirection purposes while collectively providing adaptability to various mechanical designs. This segmentation allows maintaining high light efficiency through effective reflection while achieving shape flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the reflective surfaces (curvature radius, inclination angle, position) are optimized to achieve the desired balance between light efficiency and shape adaptability. By carefully selecting these parameters, the light guide can maintain high reflection efficiency while adapting to different mechanical configurations and output shape requirements.
4Loss of energy
If the collimating element binds light rays efficiently from the light source, then light efficiency is improved, but the design complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The collimating element is integrated directly with the light guide structure, forming a unified optical component. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting mechanisms and alignment systems, reducing overall design complexity while maintaining efficient light binding. The collimating surface is formed as part of the light guide's input geometry, simplifying the optical system architecture.
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 system achieves high light efficiency and even light intensity distribution on the output surface while maintaining a thin, planar design, adaptable to mechanical and optical requirements, without the need for multiple light sources, thus improving light guide performance.
Implementation Method 1
a collimating element to collimate light rays emitted from the light unit
Implementation Method 2
configured for total reflection of light rays and sending them to the required direction
Data Source
AI summary
The light-conductive optical system comprises a planarly shaped light guide (1) made from an optically transparent material with an associated light unit (3) and a collimating element (2). The light guide (1) comprises an output surface (12) for the output of light rays (10) and a binding surface (11) to bind light rays (10) to the light guide (1). The output surface (12) and the binding surface (11) are situated on surfaces that transversally connect the top (5) and bottom surface (6) of the light guide (1) and the binding surface (11) comprises a partial surface (11c) situated opposite the output surface (22) of the collimating element (2) and a lateral partial surface (11a, 11b) at one or both sides of the partial surface (11c). The height (v) of the output surface (22) is bigger than the thickness (t) of the light guide (1) so the output surface (22) reaches above the top surface (5) and/or below the bottom surface (6) of the light guide (1) with its overlapping part (8, 9). The light guide (1) is, for each overlapping part (8, 9), fitted with at least a pair of reflective means (4a, 4b; 4c) comprising the first reflective means (4a, 4b) situated opposite the overlapping part (8, 9) to bind at least a part of light rays (10) exiting from the overlapping part (8, 9) and to reflect them to the second reflective means (4c) adapted to direct light rays (10) against the lateral partial surface (11a, 11b).