Rearview Mirror Light Module With Filtered Amber Light Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rear view devices face challenges in communizing a multi-functional light module due to varying government regulations across countries, requiring different light colors and functions, which complicates the design and implementation of a unified lighting system.
Innovation Solution
A light module with a housing, lens sections, LEDs, and a light pipe system that allows for the emission of white and non-white light, including amber, directed in different orientations to meet regulatory requirements, with optical couplers and filters to modify light color and function.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If different light functions are required across different countries due to government regulations, then regulatory compliance is achieved, but the complexity of communizing one light source in a multi-functional light module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light module is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can serve multiple lighting purposes (running lights, turn signals, brake lights) within a single housing. By incorporating multiple independent LEDs that can be selectively activated, the module achieves universality across different regulatory environments without requiring multiple specialized modules, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters (which specific LEDs are active, their emission intensity, and timing) based on regulatory requirements rather than changing the physical structure. This parameter-based adaptation allows the same hardware design to meet different country regulations, reducing design complexity while ensuring compliance.
2Reliability
If light color is fixed to meet regulatory requirements, then compliance with government regulations is ensured, but the ability to provide multiple lighting functions from a single light source becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent LED sources, each capable of emitting different colors (white, amber, red). This segmentation allows the system to provide multiple lighting functions from what appears to be a single light module, while each individual LED's fixed color output ensures compliance with regulatory requirements for specific light functions.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple independent LED sources with different fixed colors are merged into a single integrated light module housing. This combination allows the system to fulfill multiple lighting functions (running lights, turn signals, brake lights) from one physical module while maintaining the fixed color requirements for each function, thus achieving both regulatory compliance and multi-functionality.
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
Enables a modular lighting system that complies with diverse regulatory standards by providing forward, side, and rear-facing functions with adjustable light colors, enhancing driver notification and safety.
Implementation Method 1
a lens attached to the housing and including at least a first lens section that is configured to direct light in a first direction and a second lens section that is configured to direct light in a second direction
Implementation Method 2
a light pipe mounted within the housing and configured to receive light emitted from the first LED and emit light through the second lens section
Implementation Method 3
an optical filter that filters the spectrum of the white light emitted from the first LED to provide the non-white light emitted through the second lens section
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of light-directing structures configured to direct light from the plurality of second LEDs through the first lens section
Data Source
Figure 1~2
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Figure 7~10
AI summary
The present invention refers to a light module (14, 140) configured for an exterior rear view device (10) of a vehicle, comprising: a housing (24, 240); a lens (22, 220) attached to the housing (24, 240) and including at least a first lens section (26, 260) that is configured to direct light in a first direction and a second lens section (28, 280) that is configured to direct light in a second direction; at least one first light emitting diode (LED) (30, 300) mounted within the housing (24, 240); at least one second LED (32, 340) mounted within the housing (24, 240) and configured to emit light through the first lens section (26, 260); and a light pipe (36, 360) mounted within the housing (14, 140) and configured to receive light emitted from the first LED (30, 300) and emit light through the second lens section (28, 280). The first and second LEDs (30, 32, 300, 340) are all white light emitting LEDs, wherein white light emitted from the first LED (30, 300) is filtered to provide amber light that is emitted through the second lens section (28, 280), and in use of the light module (14, 140), with the light module (14, 140) being attached to the rear view device (10), which in turn is attached to the vehicle, the light emitted through the second lens section (28, 280) is directed in a side-and/or rear-facing direction with respect to a direction of forward movement of the vehicle, while the light emitted through the first lens section (26, 260) is directed in a forward-facing direction with respect to a direction of forward movement of the vehicle. The light emitted through the second lens section (28, 280) is adapted to provide a running light and/or turn signal function for the vehicle, with preferably the light emitted through the second lens section (28, 280) being controlled in a normally-on state to provide the running light function and turns off and on to provide the turn signal function for the vehicle. It also relates to an exterior rear view device (10) of a vehicle comprising a head (16) supporting at least one reflective element and/or at least one camera, and at least one such light module (14, 140), as well as to a vehicle with such an exterior rear view device (10).