Planar Light Guide Facet Structure Sparkle Effect
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices for motor vehicles struggle to generate a sparkle effect in a compact form.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a planar light guide featuring a facet-like surface structure on its rear surface, which deflects light rays discontinuously to create a sparkle effect, combined with independently controllable LEDs and optional microstructuring for enhanced sparkle intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lighting device uses a planar light guide with a facet-like surface structure to generate a sparkle effect, then the sparkle effect intensity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the complex surface structuring
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies faceting - dividing the light guide surface into multiple planar facets with different orientations. Each facet reflects light in a specific direction, and the collection of facets creates the sparkle effect. This is analogous to the curvature principle as it transforms a flat surface into a complex light-interacting surface through geometric modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide surface is segmented into multiple facet surfaces, each independently oriented to reflect light in different directions. This segmentation allows the creation of the sparkle effect through the collective behavior of discrete reflective elements rather than requiring a complex continuous surface.
2Volume of moving object
If the light guide is designed as planar to achieve compactness, then the device volume is reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase for creating the facet-like surface structure
Solution Approach 1:
The planar light guide with faceted surface combines the volume efficiency of a flat geometry with the light-scattering properties of curved/reflected surfaces. The faceting provides the necessary optical complexity while maintaining the compact planar form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the surface parameters of the light guide by introducing facet structures with specific orientations and angles. This allows the creation of the sparkle effect through geometric parameter modification rather than requiring complex three-dimensional shaping, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple illuminants are used with independent control to enhance the sparkle effect, then the lighting versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional control systems
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independently controllable illuminants, each capable of being activated separately to create different lighting functions and sparkle effects. This segmentation provides versatility while allowing for modular control implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the state of multiple illuminants can be changed over time to create different lighting scenarios. This dynamic control enables the sparkle effect to be enhanced through temporal variation in light emission 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
The solution enables the generation of a sparkle effect in a compact and cost-effective manner, providing an intense and dynamic lighting experience for both moving and stationary observers.
Implementation Method 1
A rear surface of the light guide, which surface is opposite the light outcoupling surface, is provided at least over a majority of its planar extent with a facet-like surface structure, which forms the light outcoupling structure of the light guide and formed of a plurality of irregularly formed facet surfaces. The surface normals of adjacent facet surfaces can be oriented differently, as a result of which a discontinuous deflection of the direction of the incoupled light rays can be easily achieved.
Implementation Method 2
light rays from the illuminant can be or are coupled into the light guide via a light incoupling surface assigned to the light guide
Implementation Method 3
Incoupled light rays can be deflected or are deflected via at least one light outcoupling structure of the light guide in the direction of at least one light outcoupling surface of the light guide. The deflected light rays can be or are outcoupled again from the light guide via the light outcoupling surface.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle, having at least one light guide, which is formed planar, and having at least one illuminant. Light rays from the illuminant can be coupled or are coupled into the light guide via a light incoupling surface assigned to the light guide. Incoupled light rays are deflected via at least one light outcoupling structure of the light guide in the direction of at least one light outcoupling surface of the light guide and are again outcoupled from the light guide via the light outcoupling surface. The invention proposes that a rear surface of the light guide, which surface is opposite to the light outcoupling surface, is provided at least over a majority of its planar extent with a facet-like surface structure, which forms the light outcoupling structure of the light guide and formed of a plurality of irregularly formed facet surfaces.