Reflective Ink Lighting Assembly for Vehicle Brake Lights
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Incorporating markings into vehicle light assemblies poses challenges due to photometric requirements, particularly in brake light assemblies, where achieving specific illumination surface area and intensity is complicated, and existing solutions do not effectively utilize reflective elements to enhance visibility in both lit and unlit states.
Innovation Solution
A reflective-ink lighting assembly that includes a light transferring medium with reflective-ink markings and a light source, where light propagates through the medium via total-internal reflection to illuminate the markings in a lit state, and remains visible in an unlit state through ambient light, using techniques like pad printing to apply the reflective ink on the inner side of the medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional markings are incorporated into vehicle light assemblies, then visibility is improved, but achieving specific illumination surface area and intensity becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses reflective ink markings that change their optical properties based on illumination state. The markings appear opaque when unlit and transparent when lit, enabling visibility enhancement without compromising photometric requirements. This is achieved by applying reflective ink to the inner surface of the light transmitting medium, which reflects light back through the medium when illuminated from behind.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines light transmitting medium with reflective ink markings to create a composite structure. The reflective ink is applied as a coating on the inner surface of the light transmitting medium, creating a multi-functional element that serves both as a structural component and as a visibility-enhancing marking system that complies with photometric requirements.
2Use of energy by moving object
If reflective elements are added to enhance visibility, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the marking function with the light transmitting medium by applying reflective ink directly to the inner surface of the medium. This integration eliminates the need for separate marking components and reflective elements, reducing overall device complexity while enhancing illumination effectiveness. The reflective ink serves dual purposes: as a marking element and as a light-reflecting surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective ink markings utilize the light from the light source itself to enhance visibility. When the light source illuminates the assembly, the reflective ink automatically reflects the light back through the medium, enhancing visibility without requiring additional energy sources or active components. The system uses the existing light field to serve its visibility enhancement function.
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 enhances lighting efficiency by directing light to meet photometric requirements, providing customizable visual effects and increased usable light by reflecting light back into the medium, while ensuring markings are visible in both lit and unlit conditions.
Implementation Method 1
light propagates through the light transferring medium by total-internal reflection to illuminate the reflective-ink marking
Implementation Method 2
reflected light reflects off the reflective-ink marking and exits through a façade of the light transferring medium
Data Source
AI summary
A reflective-ink lighting assembly includes a light transferring medium, a reflective-ink marking in the light transferring medium, and a light source adapted to insert light into the light transferring medium. In a lit state, light from the light source propagates through the light transferring medium by total-internal reflection. As propagated light reflects off the reflective-ink marking, some light exits through a façade of the light transferring medium to produce an illuminated marking. In an unlit state, the reflective-ink marking remains visible due to ambient light reflecting off the reflective-ink marking.