Saddle Vehicle Light Device With Segmented Reflectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light devices for saddle riding vehicles face challenges in achieving uniform light strength and collimated emission due to the longer optical path to the lens ends, making it difficult to adjust light strengths and create collimated lights with simple configurations.
Innovation Solution
A light device with a lens and two reflecting surfaces, where the first reflecting surface has a curvature that widens the diffusion range in the longitudinal direction, and the second surface reflects light in parallel to create collimated lights, positioned inside a handlebar cover with the lens extending in the vehicle width direction, allowing for compact configuration and reduced air resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a light source is disposed at a center portion in a longitudinal direction of the light device, then the light device can be compactly configured, but the optical path length to end portions of the lens becomes longer than to the center portion, making it difficult to achieve uniform light strength and collimated emission
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into two distinct reflecting surfaces: a first reflecting surface that receives light from the light source and a second reflecting surface that reflects light onto the lens. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each surface's function, enabling uniform light strength distribution while maintaining a compact configuration with the light source at the center.
Solution Approach 2:
Each reflecting surface is designed with specific local optical properties tailored to its function. The first reflecting surface has curvature optimized for receiving and initial directing light, while the second reflecting surface has curvature optimized for creating collimated light and ensuring uniform strength distribution across the lens. This local optimization resolves the contradiction between compact configuration and uniform light output.
2Illumination intensity
If a lens surface with elongated shape is used to ensure surface emission, then uniform light strength can be achieved, but the configuration becomes complex and difficult to create collimated lights simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of requiring a complex elongated lens surface configuration, the invention segments the optical function into two reflecting surfaces. The first reflecting surface handles light reception and initial direction, while the second reflecting surface handles collimation and uniform distribution. This segmentation achieves uniform light strength with a simpler overall configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the need for a complex mechanically shaped lens surface with an optical system using two reflecting surfaces. By using reflection geometry rather than lens surface morphology to achieve uniform light distribution, the configuration is simplified while maintaining the desired optical performance.
3Volume of moving object
If the distance from the light source to the first reflecting surface is made shorter than the distance from the second reflecting surface to the lens, then compact configuration is achieved, but the optical path optimization becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Each reflecting surface is designed with specific curvature optimized for its local function and position in the optical path. The first reflecting surface curvature is optimized for the short distance from the light source, while the second reflecting surface curvature is optimized for creating collimated light at its specific position. This local optimization enables compact configuration while achieving precise optical path alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
Both reflecting surfaces utilize curved geometries optimized for their specific positions and functions. The curvature of each surface is carefully designed to compensate for the asymmetric distances in the optical path, enabling uniform light distribution and collimated emission within a compact configuration where L1 < L3.
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 effectively diffuses lights in an elongated shape, achieving collimated and uniform emission with a simple configuration, enabling a compact design and reduced air resistance, while allowing for the downsizing of the light device and efficient placement within the handlebar cover.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflecting surface reflecting a light emitted from the light source
Implementation Method 2
a second reflecting surface reflecting a light reflected by the first reflecting surface onto the lens
Data Source
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AI summary
A light device comprises a light source (30) and an elongated-shaped lens (28). A first reflecting surface (27a) of the light device has a curvature determined to cause a light from an LED (30) to make a diffusion range in a vehicle width direction wider than a diffusion range in a front-rear direction. The vehicle width direction corresponds to a longitudinal direction of an elongated shape of an inner lens (28). The front-rear direction corresponds to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the elongated shape. A second reflecting surface (27c) of the light device irradiates the inner lens (28) with lights from respective portions of the first reflecting surface (27a) reflected in parallel to one another. The light device ensures a surface emission by creating collimated lights diffusing in an elongated shape with a simple configuration.