Vehicle Taillamp Uniform Appearance Mask and Screen

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle signaling lights, particularly rear lights, exhibit uneven and non-uniform appearances both during the day and at night, with the prior art failing to maintain a consistent color and depth perception.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle light design featuring a main light source, a metallized mask with reflective properties, and an auxiliary screen with cavities to diffuse light rays, ensuring a uniform red appearance both day and night, using a transparent optical material and auxiliary LEDs to replicate daylight reflection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a mask with openings is used to allow light passage, then light transmission is improved, but the appearance becomes uneven and non-uniform

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight transmissionVSAvoidappearance uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mask is given a reflective property specifically on its outer face to create a uniform appearance, while maintaining selective light transmission through strategically positioned openings. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by making the mask's exterior uniformly reflective while its interior structure remains selective for light passage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

A transparent auxiliary screen with cavities is introduced between the mask and the external environment. This intermediary structure diffuses incoming light uniformly across the mask surface, preventing direct observation of the mask's opening pattern while maintaining light transmission functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a reflective mask is used to improve daytime appearance uniformity, then appearance uniformity during day is improved, but nighttime light diffusion is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance uniformityVSAvoidlight diffusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent auxiliary screen acts as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements. During daytime, it allows uniform light reflection from the mask to pass through. During nighttime, when the light source is active, it diffuses the light uniformly in all directions, preventing direct observation of the light source while maintaining even illumination distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary screen's cavities are strategically positioned and shaped to provide different optical functions in different conditions: allowing direct transmission during daytime while providing diffusion during nighttime operation, thus addressing the local quality needs for both scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If multiple components are added to achieve uniform appearance, then appearance uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance uniformityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The auxiliary screen performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as a protective cover for the mask, a diffuser for nighttime light, and a uniform reflector for daytime appearance. By consolidating these functions into a single component, the design achieves uniform appearance while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary screen combines the functions of protection, diffusion, and reflection into one integrated structure, reducing the number of separate components needed and simplifying the overall device architecture while achieving the desired uniform appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 achieves a uniformly red and deep appearance perception for the motor vehicle light, maintaining consistency and depth throughout the day and night, enhancing visibility and aesthetic uniformity.

Implementation Method 1

the face of the mask turned towards the outside of the mask is colored with a second reflective color and is made of a reflective material, in particular is metallized, so as to reflect incident light rays originating from at least two non-mutually parallel directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

at least one auxiliary light source is provided arranged so as to emit light rays of a third color, so that they propagate inside the thickness of the auxiliary screen

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Implementation Method 3

the auxiliary screen comprising cavities which are arranged manually st to diffuse at least in part the rays of the third color towards the mask

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffusion: Diffusion

Data Source

PatentEP1835224B1Vehicle taillamp with uniform aspect
Publication Date: 2011.06.29 AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING REAR LAMPS FRANCE
  • EP1835224B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

The lamp has a mask (7) disposed between the exterior and light sources i.e. a lamp (2) and LEDs (3, 4), where surface of outer side of the mask is metallized and red colored. An auxiliary transparent screen (11) disposed between the exterior and the mask comprises inner and outer faces (12, 13) separated by a transparent material of constant thickness. Auxiliary LEDs (14) emitting red color are disposed lateral with respect to the screen and are arranged to emit light rays between the faces. The inner face has cone shaped cavities (15) that are symmetric with respect to an axis.