Segmented Vehicle Lighting Optics for Brighter Sharp Light Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED displays for motor vehicles have low light output, making it difficult to achieve legally required light intensities, and their pixelated arrangement results in a bright point at each LED location, which affects image sharpness at short viewing distances.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a circuit board and a reflector element divided into segments, where at least two light-emitting diodes are arranged in each segment, allowing for higher light intensity and a more versatile design of light signatures through the combination of segments into various shapes, along with an optical layer for uniform light distribution and a diffuser film for improved contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional LED displays with matrix arrangement are used, then light signatures can be displayed, but the light output is too low to achieve legally required light intensities
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light-emitting diodes (at least two) are arranged in each segment and combined to emit light in the same direction. This merging of multiple LED light sources within each segment increases the overall light output and enables achievement of legally required light intensities for automotive applications.
2Manufacturing precision
If light-emitting diodes are arranged in a matrix with small separations, then a sharp image is discernible, but the spacing between adjacent LEDs becomes very small (less than 2 mm)
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector element is divided into multiple segments, with each segment associated with one or more light-emitting diodes. This segmentation allows for larger effective spacing between functional units while maintaining sharp image quality, as each segment acts as an integrated light-emitting unit rather than requiring precise alignment of individual closely-spaced LEDs.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light-emitting diodes are arranged in each segment, then higher light intensity is achieved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector element is segmented into multiple sections, with each segment containing one or more light-emitting diodes. This segmentation provides a modular structure that simplifies the overall arrangement by organizing multiple LEDs into discrete functional units, making the system more manageable despite containing multiple diodes per segment.
Solution Approach 2:
Each segment of the reflector element serves multiple functions: it reflects light from the associated light-emitting diodes, directs the reflected light through the optical layer, and contributes to the overall light signature formation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing device complexity.
4Illumination intensity
If a reflector element with multiple segments is introduced, then light distribution is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmented reflector element integrates multiple functions into a single component: light reflection, light direction control, and segment-specific light signature formation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate reflectors, directors, and segment control structures, thereby managing overall device complexity while achieving improved light distribution.
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 provides a compact, cost-effective lighting device with higher light intensity and improved image sharpness, enabling the creation of various light signatures that meet legal requirements and enhance visual perception.
Implementation Method 1
a circuit board with a multiplicity of light-emitting diodes for emitting light arranged thereon
Implementation Method 2
The reflector element has multiple segments into which the reflector element is subdivided, wherein a segment is associated with each light-emitting diode, so that light emitted by the light-emitting diodes can be reflected, and preferably limited, at the segments of the reflector element
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle, wherein the lighting device has a circuit board with a multiplicity of light-emitting diodes arranged thereon, a transparent optical layer, and a reflector element, wherein the reflector element is arranged between the circuit board and the optical layer, wherein the reflector element has multiple segments into which the reflector element is subdivided, wherein a segment is associated with each light-emitting diode so that light emitted by the light-emitting diodes can be reflected by the reflector element and can pass through the optical layer. Two light-emitting diodes are arranged in a segment. In addition, a lighting system and a motor vehicle are provided.