Vehicle Signal Lamp Light Guide With Segmented Reflective Cavities
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Solution Overview
Problem
The use of volumetrically dispersive materials in optical systems for lighting equipment, such as signal lamps for motor vehicles, often reduces luminous efficiency and complicates photometric requirements, while collimation systems are difficult to install and maintain, especially for ultra-thin planar light guides, and can disrupt stylistic effects and light homogeneity.
Innovation Solution
An optical system with a light-guiding part that includes macroscopic cavities with reflective areas, where each pair of adjacent cavities forms an optical segment with reflexive surfaces, allowing for partial collimation of light at entry, directing it to required photometric points without disturbing appearance or homogeneity, and enabling adjustments in size and focal distance for stylistic and functional needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If volumetrically dispersive materials are used in the light guide, then interesting light effects and uncommon appearance are achieved, but luminous efficiency is reduced and photometric requirements become difficult to comply with
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple optical segments separated by macroscopic cavities. Each segment contains dispersive material for light effects, while the cavities with reflective areas provide collimation and direction control. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of interesting light effects and compliance with photometric requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide have different properties: optical segments contain volumetrically dispersive material for light effects, while the macroscopic cavities contain reflective areas for collimation. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between light effects and luminous efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If collimation optical elements are placed near the light source to ensure efficiency, then the required optical system efficiency is achieved, but the installation area increases and the spatial layout becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The collimation function is merged with the light guide structure itself. The macroscopic cavities with reflective areas form integral part of the light guide, eliminating the need for separate collimation optical elements. This reduces installation complexity while maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using traditional collimation lenses or reflectors that require significant space, the patent uses macroscopic cavities with reflective areas that utilize the vertical dimension of the light guide thickness. This approach achieves collimation without increasing the horizontal installation area.
3Illumination intensity
If a larger number of PCBs are used to position light sources at different heights for suitable light direction, then the required light direction is achieved, but the price and failure rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a single PCB with light sources at uniform height, eliminating the need for multiple PCBs at different heights. The dynamic light direction control is achieved through the reflective areas in the macroscopic cavities, which redirect light without requiring complex multi-layer PCB structures, thus reducing cost and failure rate.
4Volume of moving object
If ultra-thin planar light guides are used, then the installation area is reduced, but collimation systems become difficult to install and maintain
Solution Approach 1:
The collimation function is integrated into the ultra-thin light guide structure through macroscopic cavities with reflective areas. This eliminates the need for separate collimation components that would be difficult to install and maintain in ultra-thin configurations, while preserving the space-saving advantages of ultra-thin design.
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
This solution enhances light efficiency and homogeneity while maintaining aesthetic appeal, allowing for cost-effective production and easy installation, even with volumetrically dispersive materials, by partial collimation and adjustable collimation elements.
Implementation Method 1
reflexive areas are configured for the reflection of a part of light beams which have been connected via the rear area to the optical segment, and directing them to the output area
Implementation Method 2
the light-guiding optical part contains dispersive elements for diffusion dispersion in its inner structure
Data Source
AI summary
An optical system for a lighting device, comprising a light-guiding optical part configured for spreading light beams generated by light sources situated opposite to a rear side of the optical part. Light beams are coupled into the light-guiding optical part, and after passing through the light-guiding optical part the light beams are emitted through its output surface. Rear side of light-guiding optical part is equipped with macroscopic cavities, each pair of adjacent macroscopic cavities forming between themselves an optical segment, whose two sides, which separate the optical segment from the pair of macroscopic cavities, comprise a reflective surface. The optical segment comprises a rear surface on the rear side, opposite to which a light source is positioned. The reflective surfaces are configured for reflecting a part of the light beams, which were coupled through the rear surface into the optical segment, and then directing them to the output surface.