Revolved Collimator Lens for Compact Vehicle Lamp Packaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle lamps face a tradeoff between efficiency and size due to packaging constraints, limiting the lens size while still requiring adequate light output.
Innovation Solution
A light assembly with a lens body featuring a collimator profile revolved about a transverse axis, including a light-incident face and a light-emitting face, utilizes secondary collecting surfaces for total internal reflection to refract and collimate light output in a forward direction, optimizing light distribution within compact dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the lens size is increased to improve light output, then the light output requirement is met, but the packaging constraint is violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by revolving a 2D collimator profile around a transverse axis to create a 3D optical structure. This revolutionary approach transforms the light distribution capability from conventional 2D patterns to complex 3D illumination patterns, enabling high light output efficiency within a compact lens volume that satisfies packaging constraints while meeting illumination requirements
2Volume of moving object
If the lens size is reduced to meet packaging constraints, then the packaging constraint is satisfied, but the light output requirement is not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by modifying the collimator profile geometry (revolving around transverse axis at specific angles) and optical material properties to maximize light output efficiency. The revolved profile creates optimized light paths that increase illumination intensity per unit volume, enabling compact lens design that still achieves adequate light output through enhanced optical parameter optimization
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 achieves high efficiency in light output, suitable for vehicle headlamps with over fifty-percent efficiency, while maintaining a small aspect ratio for ease of packaging, enabling effective use in various automotive lighting applications.
Implementation Method 1
The secondary collecting surfaces are oriented to reflect light internal to the lens body in the forward direction
Implementation Method 2
The light-emitting face receives light internal to the lens body and refracts a light output pattern being generally collimated in the forward direction
Data Source
AI summary
A light assembly includes a light source and a lens with a light-incident face defined by a central primary collector surface and secondary input surfaces extending transversely from the central primary collector surface, a light-emitting face opposite the light-incident face and defined by a central collimator profile and a pair of lateral side projections extending transversely from the central collimator profile, and a pair of secondary collecting surfaces extending between the light-incident face and the light-emitting face. Light from the light source received by the lens and exits as a generally collimated output.