Tail Lift Edge Lighting With Light Guide for Uniform Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tail lift lighting systems struggle to provide homogeneous and robust lighting that is visible from the side and rear, while being resistant to mechanical stress and weather conditions, and are complex to manufacture.

Innovation Solution

A tail lift system with a light decoupling means that couples light into a groove or angle, using a lens or optical waveguide to direct light rays parallel along the longitudinal direction, and incorporates scattering particles in a light-guiding element to achieve high illuminance and a homogeneous appearance, with lamps positioned on end faces for efficient illumination of large areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If light exit openings are used to emit light from lamps, then light can be emitted from the tail lift, but the light exit openings are complex to manufacture and create non-uniform bright spots on the side edge surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing complexity of light exit openingsVSAvoidhomogeneity of light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the light emission function from complex light exit openings and transfers it to a light guide element with simple geometry. The light guide element is inserted into a simple groove or angle, separating the light guiding function from the complex opening structure, thereby simplifying manufacturing while achieving uniform light distribution through the lateral surface of the light guide element

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide element acts as an intermediary between the lamp and the external environment. It receives light from the lamp and distributes it uniformly along its lateral surface, mediating between the point light source and the extended illumination area, thereby achieving homogeneous lighting without complex light exit openings

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If lamps are arranged to illuminate large areas, then coverage is improved, but light intensity decreases with distance from the light source

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveilluminated areaVSAvoidlight intensity at distance
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the light emission process into two stages: first, the lamp emits light into the light guide element; second, the light guide element distributes this light along its entire length through its lateral surface. This segmentation allows a single lamp to illuminate a large area while maintaining intensity by distributing light progressively along the light guide element rather than relying on direct emission over distance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 robust, easy-to-manufacture lighting system that ensures high light intensity and a uniform appearance along the length of the tail lift, enhancing visibility and safety, especially in adverse conditions.

Implementation Method 1

The means can comprise a lens, the lens being arranged and designed in such a way that divergently propagating light rays generated by the lamp and striking the lens are bundled so that they run essentially parallel in the longitudinal direction behind the lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction and parallelization: Lens

Implementation Method 2

the means comprises an optical waveguide which is arranged between the lamp and the light decoupling means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical waveguide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 3

Light decoupling means for propagating light received from a light source essentially in a longitudinal direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 4

incorporates scattering particles in a light-guiding element to achieve high illuminance and a homogeneous appearance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP3892495B1Cantilever lift for vehicles
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 BAR MANAGEMENT UND BET MBH
  • EP3892495B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3892495B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4b
  • EP3892495B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention relates to a lifting platform (100) with a platform (102), wherein the lifting platform (100) has an outer edge, wherein a groove (110) or an angle (402) extends in a direction in the outer edge, wherein the groove (110) or the angle (402) is open towards the outside of the platform (102), wherein at least sectionally a light extraction means, in particular rod-shaped, can be arranged in the groove (110) or in the angle (402) such that the light extraction means extends in the direction, wherein means are provided which are configured to couple light into the light extraction means (302b) in a flashing or continuously illuminated manner, wherein the outer edge has a chamfer extending in the direction towards a bottom of the platform (102), in or on which the groove (110) or the angle is arranged, or wherein the groove (110) or the angle is opened in such a way thatthat an optical axis (A) of the light output coupling means (302b) can be arranged obliquely to a transverse direction of the platform (102) and obliquely to an underside of the platform (102).