Side-Illuminated Light Guide for Vehicle Sensing Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle sensing systems face challenges in integration within the vehicle's structure and space, as they can be unsightly, distracting, and may have components that interfere with the line of sight or are not adequately secured and protected from the harsh environment.
Innovation Solution
A sensing system comprising a radar sensor, a light guide, and a light source, where the light guide is disposed in the field of view of the radar sensor and the light source is optically coupled to the light guide to illuminate it, with a housing that reflects or diffracts light away from the surface, allowing the system to be integrated seamlessly within a vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sensing system is added to the exterior of a vehicle, then sensing capabilities are improved, but the system becomes unsightly and distracting
Solution Approach 1:
The sensing system is merged with existing vehicle components such as interior lights, mirrors, or trim pieces. The housing integrates the radar sensor, light guide, and light source into a single unit that can be positioned within or alongside existing vehicle structures, combining aesthetic and functional elements into one integrated component.
Solution Approach 2:
The sensing system components are nested within each other - the radar sensor is housed within a housing that contains the light guide and light source. The light guide is disposed within the field of view of the radar sensor, and the entire assembly can be nested within or alongside existing vehicle components, creating a compact integrated unit.
2Device complexity
If sensing system components are placed in the vehicle structure, then integration is improved, but line of sight may be interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide extends along a plane and is illuminated from an edge, creating a two-dimensional light distribution pattern. The housing surface is configured to reflect or diffract light away from the surface at specific angles, managing light propagation in multiple dimensions to prevent interference with the radar's line of sight while maintaining aesthetic illumination.
3Illumination intensity
If the light guide is illuminated from the front, then illumination is provided, but the housing surface reflects light back towards the source
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of illuminating the light guide from the front (towards the housing surface), the light source illuminates the light guide from an edge or side. This inverts the traditional illumination approach, causing light to propagate along the light guide and exit through the cover or surrounding areas, away from the housing surface that would otherwise reflect light back.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing surface is configured with specific local properties - it is configured to reflect or diffract light away from the surface at controlled angles. This localized optical property management ensures that any light reaching the housing surface is redirected in beneficial directions rather than reflecting back towards the light source, reducing energy loss.
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 proposed sensing system effectively addresses the integration challenges by providing a compact, aesthetically pleasing solution that does not interfere with the vehicle's line of sight and is adequately secured and protected, while maintaining sensing capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide is configured to transmit at least a portion of the light from the light source towards the surface of the housing
Implementation Method 2
The housing for the sensing system includes a surface configured to reflect or diffract light from the light source away from the surface
Implementation Method 3
The housing for the sensing system includes a surface configured to reflect or diffract light from the light source away from the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A sensing system includes a sensor with transmitters and detectors. A light source is optically coupled to a light guide disposed in the field of view of the sensor. The light guide is generally planar and the light source illuminates the light guide from an edge, or side, to illuminate the length of the light guide. A housing for the sensing system has a surface configured to reflect or diffract light from the light source towards the surrounding environment.