Vehicle Reflector Lamp With Optical Sheet for Dual-Mode Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lamps fail to provide homogeneous illumination when lit and a reflective surface when unlit, lacking efficient designs for both modes of operation.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle reflector lamp with a curved reflector having a reflective front side and a non-reflective back side, featuring a light-permeable slot for light emission and an optical sheet for homogenizing light, along with a clear outer lens for protection, allowing for both lit mode illumination and unlit mode ambient reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a traditional lamp design is used, then it can provide illumination in lit mode, but it fails to provide homogeneous illumination and a reflective surface appearance in unlit mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of illuminationVSAvoiddual-mode operation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp housing serves multiple functions: it acts as a reflective surface when the light source is off, and as a diffuser for homogeneous illumination when the light source is on. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the same structure to achieve both appearance modes without requiring separate components for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The lamp housing acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the external environment. It mediates the light output by reflecting ambient light when unlit and diffusing emitted light when lit, thereby achieving both homogeneous illumination and reflective surface appearance through a single mediating structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If a light source is positioned to provide illumination, then it can emit light, but it creates non-uniform light distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of light distributionVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp housing serves as an optical intermediary that diffuses light from the source to create uniform distribution. Instead of using complex optical systems with multiple lenses and reflectors, the housing itself acts as the diffusing element, simplifying the overall device complexity while achieving uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The lamp housing changes its optical parameters based on the state of the light source. When the light source is off, the housing maintains a reflective surface property. When the light source is on, the housing transitions to a diffusing property, changing its optical parameters to achieve uniform light distribution without requiring additional optical components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the reflector is designed for ambient light reflection, then it provides a reflective surface appearance, but it cannot provide homogeneous illumination when lit

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemode-specific performanceVSAvoidhomogeneity in lit mode
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp housing dynamically changes its optical function based on the operational mode. In unlit mode, it functions as a reflective surface for ambient light. In lit mode, it transforms into a diffusing element for homogeneous illumination. This dynamic adaptability allows the same structure to optimize performance for each specific mode without compromise.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The lamp housing is designed with universal functionality to perform both reflection and diffusion tasks. This multi-functionality enables it to provide reflective surface appearance when unlit and homogeneous illumination when lit, resolving the contradiction by making the single structure adaptable to different operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (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

The solution enables a vehicle reflector lamp to provide uniform and homogeneous illumination in the lit mode while appearing as a reflective surface in the unlit mode, enhancing visibility and aesthetic appeal.

Implementation Method 1

An optical sheet is positioned adjacent the front side of the reflector for homogenizing light reflected from the reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 2

The curved reflector has a reflective front side and a non-reflective back side opposite the front side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3687857B1Reflector lamp
Publication Date: 2023.09.06 FLEX N GATE ADVANCED PROD DEV LLC
  • EP3687857B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3687857B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3687857B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle reflector lamp includes a curved reflector having a reflective front side and a non-reflective back side opposite the front side. The curved reflector has a light- permeable slot. A light source is positioned behind the non-reflective back side such that light emanates from the light source through the light-permeable slot for reflecting off the reflective front side. An optical sheet is positioned adjacent the front side of the reflector for homogenizing light reflected from the reflector, and a clear outer lens protects the optical sheet, the light source, and the curved reflector from an outdoor environment. The reflector lamp has a lit mode and an unlit mode. When in the unlit mode, ambient light reflects off of the reflective front side. When in the lit mode, light from the light source reflects of at least a portion of the reflective front side.