Segmented Vehicle Light Cover for Sharp Color Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle lighting devices struggle with precise presentation of contours and clear separation between switched-on and switched-off areas, as well as between different color areas, often resulting in color and brightness gradients.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle lighting device with a lighting element and a cover element comprising individually switchable cover segments that can transition between transparent and opaque states, allowing for sharp or soft contour adjustments by actuating these segments independently of each other, combined with a light guiding element to manage light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources with different colors are arranged next to each other, then multiple colors can be presented, but color gradients appear between the colors
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is divided into multiple individually controllable segments corresponding to each light source. Each segment can be independently switched between transparent and opaque states, allowing precise control over which color areas are visible. This segmentation eliminates color gradients by creating sharp boundaries between different color regions through independent segment control.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover segments are made dynamically switchable between transparent and opaque states through electrical actuation. This dynamic control allows the system to adjust visibility of different color areas in real-time, enabling clear separation between color regions and eliminating static gradient effects that would occur with fixed transparent covers.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an area of the light bar is switched on and another area is switched off, then different illumination patterns can be created, but brightness gradients appear at the boundary between areas
Solution Approach 1:
The cover element is segmented into individually controllable sections that align with the light source segments. By independently switching each cover segment between transparent and opaque states, the system creates sharp boundaries between illuminated and non-illuminated areas, eliminating brightness gradients that would otherwise occur at transition zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the cover element have different optical properties (transparent or opaque) that are locally optimized for their specific function. Each segment's transparency state is independently controlled to achieve the desired illumination pattern, allowing precise local control over light transmission and creating sharp transitions between active and inactive areas.
3Illumination intensity
If a continuous light band is used, then smooth light distribution is achieved, but clear separation between different areas is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous light band incorporates a segmented cover element with individually controllable segments. This allows the system to maintain smooth light distribution within each active segment while creating clear separations between different functional areas through selective opaque segment activation. The segmentation enables both smooth illumination within zones and sharp boundaries between zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the cover are assigned different optical characteristics based on their functional requirements. Active segments remain transparent for smooth light distribution, while boundary segments are switched opaque to create clear separations. This local differentiation of optical properties enables simultaneous achievement of smooth illumination and clear area separation.
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
Enables clear separation between switched-on and switched-off areas and different color areas without color or brightness gradients, providing enhanced control over light emission patterns.
Implementation Method 1
a composite foil with electrically switchable optical characteristics including a suspension of electrophoretically mobile particles situated between two electrodes, wherein the suspension exhibits a negative electro-rheological effect
Implementation Method 2
a light guiding element, wherein the light guiding element is formed to guide light emitted by the light sources of the plurality from a plurality of first coupling surfaces, at which the light guiding element is optically coupled to each one of the light sources
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a motor vehicle lighting device comprising a lighting element with a plurality of light sources and a cover element which is designed to change between a transparent operating state and an opaque operating state. In order to allow an improved display of contours on a motor vehicle lighting device, the cover element has a plurality of cover segments, wherein each cover segment can be actuated individually with respect to the transparent and opaque operating state, and the motor vehicle lighting device has a light guiding element, said light guiding element being designed such that light emitted by the plurality of light sources is guided from a plurality of first coupling surfaces, at which the light guiding element is optically coupled to each of the light sources, to a plurality of second coupling surfaces, at which the light guiding element is optically coupled to each of the cover segments, each of the second coupling surfaces than bigger than the first coupling surfaces.