Vehicle Rear Lamp Partial Emission Surface Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to enhance the signaling effect of vehicle rear lights while optimizing the limited installation space and maintaining a low production cost, while also ensuring the lights contribute to the vehicle's design and recognition value.

Innovation Solution

The method involves a rear light system with three partial emission surfaces, where the first surface stops emitting light when switching to the second function, and the third surface starts emitting light, creating a noticeable change in luminous patterns that can include horizontal and vertical lines, allowing for a high recognition value and signaling effect. This is achieved through the use of light-emitting diodes for efficient energy use and quick response times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the emitting surface area of the rear light is increased to enhance signaling effect, then the signaling effect is improved, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling effectVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the rear light to dynamically change its emission pattern between two distinct states: a first light function with a first luminous pattern and a second light function with a second luminous pattern. This dynamic switching allows the same physical emitting surface to convey different signaling information without requiring additional space, effectively resolving the contradiction between signaling effect and installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the luminous pattern parameters (which areas emit light and which do not) to differentiate between the first and second light functions. By changing the emission/non-emission status of specific partial emitting surfaces, the system achieves multiple signaling functions from a single physical structure, thereby improving signaling effectiveness without increasing installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light functions are integrated into a single rear light to improve versatility, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight function versatilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the rear light's emitting surface into multiple partial emitting surfaces that can be independently controlled. Each partial emitting surface can be switched between emission and non-emission states to generate different luminous patterns for various light functions. This segmentation enables versatile multi-functionality while keeping the control logic relatively simple, as each segment can be controlled independently to create different functional states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Loss of information

If the light emission pattern is changed to indicate different braking forces, then the information transmission is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebraking force informationVSAvoidbraking force detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the principle of visual appearance changes by using different luminous patterns (variations in which partial emitting surfaces are active) to indicate different braking force levels. Instead of using color changes, the system varies the spatial distribution of light emission, creating distinct visual patterns that are easily detectable by human drivers. This approach effectively communicates braking force information while maintaining simple detection through human visual perception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

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 provides a high signaling effect by altering the shape and intensity of the luminous surfaces, allowing for better recognition of braking strength and emergency situations, while optimizing space and reducing production costs through efficient LED usage.

Implementation Method 1

The method involves a rear light system with three partial emission surfaces... achieved through the use of light-emitting diodes for efficient energy use and quick response times

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3010759B1Method and device for controlling the light emission of a rear lamp of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.04.29 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3010759B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3010759B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3010759B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling a light emission of a rear lamp (2) of a vehicle (7). The rear lamp (2) comprises optical components (5, 8) having emission surfaces (6, 9, 16) having at least three partial emission surfaces (6.1, 9.1, 16.1, 6.2, 9.2, 16.2, 6.3, 9.3, 16.3). Furthermore, at least a first and a second light function can be produced by means of the light emission of the emission surfaces (6, 9, 16). The method is characterized in that, after a switchover process from the first to the second light function, the first partial emission surface (6.1, 9.1, 16.1), which emits light for the first light function, emits no light, the second partial emission surface (6.2, 9.2, 16.2), which emits light for the first light function, continues to emit light, and the third partial emission surface (6.3, 9.3, 16.3), which emits no light for the first light function, emits light. The invention further relates to a device (1) for controlling the light emission of a rear lamp (2) of a vehicle (7).