Vehicle Instrument Panel Lighting Assembly with Prismatic Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting assemblies for vehicle instrument panels suffer from inefficient light distribution due to reflective surfaces in the light housing, leading to non-uniform illumination, which necessitates the use of a diffuser to achieve uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting assembly featuring a wedge-shaped light guide with prisms that direct light efficiently towards a display, combined with a diffuser having serrations that reflect light towards the operator, optimizing light transmission and reducing the need for multiple light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a diffuser is disposed between the light guide and the display to provide uniform light distribution, then the uniformity of illumination is improved, but the device complexity increases and light transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light distribution function and the uniformity function into a single integrated light guide structure with prisms and reflective surfaces, eliminating the need for a separate diffuser component. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining uniform illumination across the display.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure performs multiple functions simultaneously: it directs light from the source, distributes light uniformly across the display, and reflects light back toward the operator. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate diffuser components, reducing overall device complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If a diffuser is disposed between the light guide and the display to provide uniform light distribution, then the uniformity of illumination is improved, but the light transmission efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts what would normally be wasted reflected light from the light housing into useful illumination by incorporating reflective surfaces within the light guide structure. These surfaces redirect shallow-angle reflected light back toward the display, turning a loss into a benefit and improving overall light transmission efficiency while maintaining uniformity.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple or larger light sources are used to compensate for inefficient light distribution, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the light guide structure by incorporating prisms with specific geometries and reflective surfaces at optimized angles. These parameter changes enable more efficient light direction and distribution, allowing a single light source to achieve the same illumination intensity that would otherwise require multiple or larger light sources.
4Illumination intensity
If multiple or larger light sources are used to compensate for inefficient light distribution, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts wasted reflected light into useful illumination through strategically placed reflective surfaces within the light guide. This converts energy that would have been lost into productive light output, improving illumination intensity without increasing energy consumption from additional light sources.
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 enhances light efficiency, allowing for either smaller or fewer light sources to provide the same or greater illumination, resulting in improved luminance and uniform light distribution for vehicle instrument displays.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide includes a top surface with a plurality of prisms for efficiently transmitting light toward a display and operator
Implementation Method 2
The light guide may be mated with a diffuser with a plurality of serrations that include a light reflecting surface for directing light from the light guide in a direction toward an operator
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting assembly for a vehicle instrument panel includes a light guide supported within a light housing proximate to a light source. The light guide includes a top surface with a plurality of prisms for efficiently transmitting light toward a display and operator. The light guide may be coupled to a diffuser with a plurality of serrations that include a light reflecting surface for directing light from the light guide in a direction toward an operator.