Vehicle Tail Light Assembly With Light Pipe Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle signal lights using LEDs face challenges in providing sufficient light output and uniform aesthetic design, particularly in achieving a wide-angle, high-intensity lighting effect that wraps around corners.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a lighting element with an output lens having distinct regions, a first illuminator portion directing light from a plurality of LEDs perpendicular or parallel to the lens, and a second illuminator portion using a light pipe to direct light from one or more LEDs perpendicular or parallel to the light pipe, effectively enhancing light distribution and aesthetic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of LEDs are employed to produce sufficient signal lighting, then the light output intensity is improved, but the device complexity and aesthetic design flexibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary component between the LEDs and the lens. The light guide receives light from a small number of high-intensity LEDs and distributes it across a wide area of the lens, eliminating the need to use many LEDs directly. This mediator enables both high illumination intensity and simple device structure simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a direct point-to-point LED-to-lens configuration to a distributed light distribution system using a light guide. By introducing the light guide dimension, a single LED's light can be spread across multiple lens areas, achieving wide-angle illumination without increasing LED count.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional reflector and lens systems are used with LEDs, then the manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but the light transmission efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves as an intermediary that replaces the conventional reflector-lens system for light distribution. Instead of relying on reflective surfaces and complex lens arrangements, the light guide uses total internal reflection and optical waveguiding to efficiently transport and distribute light, reducing energy loss while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide integrates multiple functions into a single component: it acts as both a light transport medium and a light distribution element. By merging the functions of reflector and lens into the light guide structure, the system achieves higher efficiency without complicating manufacturing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If LEDs are arranged to provide wide-angle coverage, then the aesthetic design flexibility is improved, but the light intensity in specific directions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into distinct functional zones: a concentrated light source region (LEDs) and a distributed output region (lens). The light guide connects these segments, allowing the rear portion to be compact (maintaining intensity) while the front lens provides wide-angle coverage (enabling design flexibility).
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide extends the light distribution in the lateral dimension while maintaining concentrated light generation in the longitudinal dimension. This dimensional separation allows wide-angle coverage at the lens without sacrificing intensity at the source, enabling both aesthetic flexibility and directional intensity.
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 configuration enhances light distribution and aesthetic design by providing a uniform appearance across a wide angle, achieving high-intensity light emission, and allowing for a more flexible and aesthetically pleasing design of vehicle signal lights.
Implementation Method 1
a light pipe having an elongated shape extending parallel to and spaced apart from the input element. The second illuminator portion is configured to direct light from a second light source out of the second region of the output lens
Implementation Method 2
The lighting element includes a first light source and a second light source. In some embodiments, the first light source includes a plurality of first LEDs, and wherein the second light source includes one or more second LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
A tail light assembly for a vehicle includes a stop/turn lighting element that includes an output lens having a first region and a second region having an elongated shape. The stop/turn lighting element also includes a first illuminator portion configured to direct light from a first light source out of the first region of the output lens. The stop/turn lighting element also includes a second illuminator portion including an input element disposed along the second region of the output lens and a light pipe having an elongated shape extending parallel to and spaced apart from the input element. The second illuminator portion is configured to direct light from a second light source out of the second region of the output lens.