Planar Light Guide with Reflective Surfaces for Spatial Effects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing signal lamps for motor vehicles that produce spatial light effects require additional components like covering masks, increasing installation complexity and preventing the integration of clear and opaque parts in a single molding process.
Innovation Solution
A light device with a carrier housing and a translucent cover, featuring a planar light guide with reflective surfaces and diffusion particles, which allows for variable light intensity patterns without the need for extra covering masks, and can be manufactured using plastic injection molding for reduced costs and simplified installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a covering mask is used to cover the input surface of the light guide, then the designer requirements are met and spatial light effects are achieved, but the installation requirements increase and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the covering mask function and the light guide function into a single integrated component. The light guide itself is designed with specific optical properties that allow it to perform both light guiding and covering functions, eliminating the need for a separate covering mask and reducing installation complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the light source, provides the necessary covering for the input surface, and creates the desired spatial light effects. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated components
2Ease of manufacture
If clear transparent parts and covering opaque parts are combined in an integral molding, then manufacturing costs are reduced and installation is simplified, but the advantages of two-stage plastic injection molding cannot be used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the transparent light guide and opaque covering parts into a single integral molded component. This eliminates the need for separate molding processes and assembly steps, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while maintaining design flexibility through the integral structure
3Illumination intensity
If additional covering parts are added to achieve spatial light effects, then the light output pattern is improved, but the quantity of parts increases and device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide and covering mask into a single integrated component, eliminating the need for separate covering parts. This reduces the total quantity of parts while maintaining the ability to create complex light output patterns through the integrated design
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated light guide performs multiple functions including light guiding, pattern creation, and covering, eliminating the need for additional dedicated parts and reducing overall component quantity
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 creation of homogeneous light output with low installation requirements and cost-effective manufacturing, while maintaining designer elements and spatial light effects, by integrating reflective and diffusion elements within the light guide.
Implementation Method 1
an input surface to bind light rays produced by the lighting unit positioned outside the light guide surface into the planar light guide
Implementation Method 2
at least one reflective surface configured to direct light rays to the front output surface
Implementation Method 3
a front output surface to emit light rays out of the light device
Implementation Method 4
the planar light guide comprises diffusion particles to diffuse light rays
Data Source
AI summary
A light device, especially a signal lamp, for motor vehicles, comprising a carrier housing covered by a translucent cover, and an inner chamber in which at least one primary optical assembly is housed, and comprising a planar light guide to guide the light generated by a lighting unit. The light guide surface comprises a front output surface to emit light rays out of the light device and an input surface to bind light rays produced by the lighting unit. The light guide surface includes, on its side facing away from the front output surface, at least one reflective surface configured to direct light rays to, and through, the output surface out of the planar light guide to create, on the front output surface, an output light region with a light intensity which differs from light intensity shown by places adjacent to the region on the front output surface.