Motor Vehicle Taillight Optical Waveguide L-Shape Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle taillights do not effectively combine high luminous intensity with a novel appearance and identification feature for the brake light function using optical waveguides and LED light sources.
Innovation Solution
The use of first and second optical waveguides with LED light sources, where the second optical waveguide is positioned above and below the first, providing an L-shaped cross-section for the brake light function and a T-shaped cross-section for the rear position and turn signal light function, with Fresnel structures for light coupling and total internal reflection to achieve high luminous intensity and a unique appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional light sources are used for brake light function, then sufficient luminous intensity can be achieved, but the appearance and identification feature are not novel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical bulb-based light sources with optical waveguides and LED sources. The waveguide structure (L-shaped cross-section) guides light from LED sources positioned in the rearward direction to exit surfaces facing laterally and forward, creating novel light distribution patterns and identification features while achieving required luminous intensity through optimized optical paths and multiple exit surfaces.
2Shape
If optical waveguides are used for brake light function, then novel appearance and identification feature are provided, but achieving high luminous intensity is challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional waveguide structures with L-shaped cross-sections and positions multiple exit surfaces at different orientations (lateral and forward-facing). This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows light to be distributed across extended surfaces, increasing the effective luminous area and overall luminous intensity while maintaining the novel waveguide-based appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple light functions (brake light, rear position light, turn signal light) within an integrated taillight assembly using separate waveguides for each function. The brake light waveguides are positioned to border the rear position/turn signal waveguide, creating a unified structure that achieves high luminous intensity through cumulative light output from multiple LED sources and waveguide sections.
3Use of energy by moving object
If LED light sources are used, then energy efficiency is improved, but achieving homogeneous light distribution with high intensity is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality variations in the waveguide structures, including L-shaped cross-sections with specific coupling-in and coupling-out optical means at different locations. Total internal reflection surfaces are strategically positioned to redirect light from LED sources to multiple exit surfaces, ensuring homogeneous light distribution across each waveguide's exit surfaces while maintaining high intensity through localized optical optimization.
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 provides a novel appearance and identification feature for vehicles while ensuring high luminous intensity for the brake light function, with homogeneous light distribution and efficient light coupling in and out of the optical waveguides.
Implementation Method 1
Total internal reflection surfaces are formed in transitions between the vertically extending limbs and the horizontally extending limb to redirect the light that is coupled into the vertically extending limbs into the horizontally extending limb
Implementation Method 2
Two first LED light sources (16, 17) inject light into the first optical waveguide (15) and a second LED light source (24) injects light into the second optical waveguide (23)
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle taillight (10) has at least a rear position light function, a turn signal light function, and a brake light function. The rear position light function and the turn signal light function are formed by a common first optical waveguide (15) and by first LED light sources (16, 17) that inject light into the first optical waveguide (15). The brake light function is formed by at least two second optical waveguides (23) and by second LED light sources (24) that inject light into the optical waveguides (23). The second optical waveguides (23) border the first optical waveguide (15) on at least two sides.