Segmented Vehicle Light Guides for Uniform Leak-Free Signalling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting and signalling devices face challenges in achieving high uniformity and preventing light leakage between adjacent segments, which affects the aesthetic and functional performance, especially in creating precise light effects and clear communication of information, while being cost-effective compared to O-LED technology.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lighting device with segmented light guides and opaque separation elements between segments, using LED light sources and light guides that ensure total internal reflection and diffuser extractor elements to prevent light leakage, allowing independent activation of specific lighting portions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If segmented light guides with opaque separation elements are used to prevent light leakage between segments, then light uniformity and signal clarity are improved, but device complexity increases due to additional barrier elements and segmentation structures
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple independent segments with opaque separation elements between them. Each segment can be controlled independently by separate LED strips, allowing precise activation of specific lighting portions while preventing light leakage between segments through the opaque barriers.
Solution Approach 2:
Opaque separation elements are introduced as intermediary components between adjacent light guide segments. These elements act as barriers that block light propagation between segments, ensuring clear optical isolation while maintaining the overall structural integrity of the lighting device.
2Reliability
If multiple opaque separation elements are introduced to block light between segments, then light leakage is prevented, but manufacturing complexity and production difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque separation elements are integrated with the light guide structure to form a unified component. This merging approach reduces the number of separate parts that need to be assembled and simplifies the manufacturing process while maintaining effective optical isolation between segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from LED sources, provides structural support, and incorporates opaque separation elements for optical isolation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated components and simplifies manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light guides are segmented into multiple independently controllable portions, then design flexibility and light effect precision are improved, but cost increases compared to conventional lighting solutions
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the light guide can have different optical properties, colors, or activation patterns tailored to specific design requirements. Each segment can be independently controlled to create localized lighting effects, providing high design flexibility while using cost-effective LED technology and simple light guide materials.
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 uniform lighting comparable to O-LED technology with lower costs, enabling clear and distinct light patterns and animations without light leakage, suitable for both internal and external vehicle applications with minimal footprint and geometric flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
using LED light sources and light guides that ensure total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
diffuser extractor elements to prevent light leakage
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting and/or signalling device (4), in particular for the automotive sector, comprising: - at least two LED light sources (16',16"), powered and activated separately, each facing a respective light input wall (32',32") of a corresponding light guide (28',28"), -wherein said light guides (28',28') are suitable to transmit and emit the light of said LED light sources (16',16") through at least two distinct lighting faces (36,40 at a front wall (44) of the lighting device, permeable to light, the light guides (28',28") being provided with diffuser extractor elements (48) arranged on a rear wall (52) of the light guide (28',28 "), opposite the front wall (44), and shaped so as to extract the light outside the lighting and/or signalling device, - wherein said light guides (28',28") are juxtaposed and adjacent to each other at at least one respective inner wall (64), - wherein said light guides (28',28") are mechanically and optically separated by barrier elements (68) which prevent the passage of light between the light guides (28',28") at said at least one inner wall (64), wherein said barrier elements (68) are separator septa opaque to the light extending from the rear wall (52) to at least said front wall (44), crossing it completely.