Retroreflective Lighting Strip Layout for Optical Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing retroreflected linear lighting strips for vehicles lack effective protection against environmental influences and mechanical stress, and they do not provide a secure optical separation between lighting elements and retroreflectors.
Innovation Solution
A retroreflected linear lighting strip design featuring a base profile with a circuit board hosting light elements and retroreflectors, where the retroreflector and lighting elements are covered by a compensation mass, and the areas with lighting elements and retroreflectors are alternately arranged to prevent transverse placement of retroreflectors next to lighting elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If retroreflectors are mounted next to lighting elements on the circuit board, then the lighting strip can be made more compact, but optical interference occurs between the light emitted by LEDs and the retroreflected light
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the circuit board into alternating first regions (with lighting elements) and second regions (with retroreflectors) along the longitudinal direction. This segmentation prevents retroreflectors from being placed next to lighting elements in the transverse direction, thereby eliminating optical interference while maintaining a compact integrated structure.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If lighting elements and retroreflectors are mounted separately on the circuit board, then optical separation is achieved, but the device complexity and manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines both lighting elements and retroreflectors onto a single circuit board in an integrated arrangement. The alternating regional pattern (first regions with LEDs, second regions with retroreflectors) achieves optical separation while maintaining structural unity, thereby reducing device complexity and simplifying manufacturing compared to separate mounting structures.
3Device complexity
If the circuit board is enclosed in a base profile without additional protection, then the structure remains simple, but the lighting elements and retroreflectors are vulnerable to environmental influences and mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible base profile that encloses the circuit board, lighting elements, and retroreflectors. This flexible encapsulating structure provides protection against environmental influences (moisture, humidity) and mechanical stress while maintaining structural simplicity and allowing the entire assembly to be bent or deformed without damage.
4Strength
If a rigid encapsulating structure is used to protect the lighting elements, then mechanical protection is improved, but the ability to bend or deform the lighting strip is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The base profile is specifically designed as a flexible encapsulating structure that provides mechanical protection to the lighting elements and retroreflectors while simultaneously allowing the entire lighting strip to be bent or deformed. This flexible encapsulation resolves the contradiction between mechanical strength and adaptability for bending applications.
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 design enhances protection against mechanical stress and environmental influences by encapsulating both light elements and retroreflectors within a compensation mass, while ensuring secure optical separation and improved visibility through strategic area arrangement.
Implementation Method 1
a retroreflector (60) is arranged on the circuit board (30)... The at least one retroreflector (60) and the at least one lighting element (50) are covered by at least one potting compound (70, 75, 76)
Implementation Method 2
The at least one retroreflector (60) and the at least one lighting element (50) are covered by at least one potting compound (70, 75, 76)... enhances protection against mechanical stress and environmental influences by encapsulating both light elements and retroreflectors within a compensation mass
Data Source
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AI summary
A retroreflective linear lighting strip (10) is proposed comprising a base profile (20), a circuit board (30) with luminaire elements (40, 50) arranged on it, and at least one potting compound (70, 75, 76), wherein a retroreflector (60) is arranged on the circuit board (30), the retroreflector (60) and the luminaire elements (40, 50) are covered by a potting compound (70, 75), and that, viewed in a longitudinal direction (15) of the circuit board (30), either at least a first area (49, 59) is arranged on which at least one luminaire element (40, 50) is arranged, or at least a second area (69) is arranged on which the retroreflector (60) is arranged.