Stepped Light Decoupling Surfaces for Multi-Directional Vehicle Headlight Emission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle headlights suffer from low light intensity and inefficient light emission due to diffuse radiation through light decoupling surfaces when light is emitted in multiple directions.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a step-shaped structure formed by alternately arranged first and second surface elements, which create two differently oriented light decoupling surfaces, allowing for efficient light emission in two distinct directions, with one direction parallel and the other orthogonal to the vehicle's longitudinal direction, utilizing internal total reflection and deflection elements within a rod-shaped light guide.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light is emitted in at least two directions through diffuse emission from light-emitting surfaces, then light can be distributed in multiple directions, but light intensity becomes low and light emission is insufficient in at least one direction
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device is segmented into multiple discrete light guides, each responsible for directing light in a specific direction. This segmentation allows concentrated light emission in multiple distinct directions rather than diffuse emission, thereby maintaining high light intensity while achieving multi-directional illumination coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the optical device are assigned different light emission directions and characteristics. Each light guide is optimized for its specific emission direction, with tailored optical properties and geometries to maximize light intensity in its designated direction while contributing to overall multi-directional illumination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If two light guides supply light to an optical device for generating lighting functions, then light emission coverage is improved, but light intensity and emission efficiency are reduced due to diffuse radiation
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device comprises multiple discrete light guides rather than a single diffuse emitter. Each light guide concentrates and directs light efficiently in its specific direction, reducing energy loss from diffuse radiation while collectively providing comprehensive light emission coverage through coordinated multi-directional illumination.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light is coupled out through light-coupled surfaces, then light can be emitted in multiple directions, but light intensity is insufficient due to diffuse emission
Solution Approach 1:
The light coupling and emission process is segmented across multiple discrete light guides, each with its own light-coupled surfaces optimized for specific emission directions. This prevents diffuse emission and maintains concentrated light intensity in each direction while achieving comprehensive multi-directional coverage through the coordinated arrangement of segmented light guides.
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 enhances light emission efficiency by minimizing undesirable light scattering and ensuring homogeneous light distribution, thereby improving light intensity and directionality.
Implementation Method 1
Light is guided within the optical fiber, preferably by means of total internal reflection at the interfaces of the optical fiber
Implementation Method 2
deflection elements are arranged within the optical fiber at output points, which are configured to deflect light such that the light is coupled out of the optical fiber
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an illumination device (1) for a motor vehicle headlamp, comprising: a first light guide (2): a second light guide (3); and an optical device (4) with a first (5a) and a second light coupling surface (6a) and a first (5b) and a second light decoupling surface (6b), wherein: the light from the first light guide (2) can be coupled into the optical device (4), passes through the optical device (4), and can be coupled out via the first light decoupling surface (5b); the light from the second light guide (8) can be coupled into the optical device (4), passes through the optical device (4) and can be coupled out via the second light decoupling surface (6b); the first light decoupling surface (5b) is formed from a large number of first surface elements (7) and the second light decoupling surface (6b) is formed from a large number of second surface elements (8); the first (7) and the second surface element (8) are arranged alternately with respect to one another such that they form a stepped structure; each first surface element (7) forms, together with a subsequent second surface element (8), a step; and the first surface element (7) encloses an angle of 45° to 135° with the subsequent second surface element (8).