Thin Waveguide Tail Lamp for Homogeneous Vehicle Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting technologies for motor vehicles, particularly OLEDs, are expensive, complex to produce, and require additional components and housing, making them unsuitable for curved and large surfaces needed in tail lamps, while also consuming more space and materials.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device using a flat waveguide with microstructured films and lenses, combined with a cover panel and housing, that allows for a compact, space-saving design with homogenous illumination, reducing production costs and material usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If OLED technology is used to achieve homogenous lighting surface, then illumination quality is improved, but production cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a waveguide as an optical copy or alternative to OLED technology. Instead of using organic light-emitting diodes which require complex production processes, the invention employs a waveguide structure that guides and distributes light from LED sources to achieve similar homogenous illumination effects with simpler manufacturing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of OLEDs with a waveguide-based optical system. The waveguide uses total internal reflection and optical routing to distribute light, substituting the direct emission mechanism of OLEDs with a light guiding and redistribution mechanism that is easier to manufacture
2Area of stationary object
If numerous OLEDs are positioned adjacent to each other to generate desired signal appearance, then lighting surface area is increased, but installation space and housing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional array of discrete OLED elements to a three-dimensional waveguide structure that distributes light throughout its volume. The waveguide extends light distribution in multiple directions (length, width, and depth) to achieve large lighting surface areas without proportionally increasing installation space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin waveguide structure that can be made sufficiently thin to reduce installation space while still providing large lighting surface areas. The waveguide acts as a thin optical element that distributes light across extended surfaces without requiring bulky housing or additional internal components
3Illumination intensity
If flat light modules with waveguide and micro-optics are used to achieve homogenous illumination, then lighting performance is improved, but number of components and housing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the waveguide, light sources, and optical distribution functions into a single unified lighting device structure. Instead of separate flat light modules requiring additional housing, the invention combines these elements into one integrated assembly that functions as a complete lighting unit
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from sources, distributes illumination across surfaces, and acts as part of the housing structure itself. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and additional housing elements
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 cost-effective, space-efficient lighting device that can span large areas, fit various vehicle contours, and maintain high performance with minimal material usage, while allowing for customizable designs and signal functions.
Implementation Method 1
a flat waveguide, exhibiting a length and a width perpendicular thereto, as well as a depth that is perpendicular to the length and the width
Implementation Method 2
upstream optics formed by microstructured films or thin lenses, which diffuses the light emitted from the waveguide
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle is provided with numerous light sources. A flat waveguide has one entry surface and at least one exit surface. A cover panel is provided, and the light generated by the light sources enters the waveguide, at least in part, through the entry surface, the light entering through the entry surface exits, at least in part, through the at least one exit surface, and the light exiting the waveguide through the at least one exit surface at least partially exits the lighting device through the cover panel. A housing is provided that at least partially encases the numerous light sources, the waveguide, and the cover panel. The thickness of the lighting device in the direction perpendicular to the length and width of the waveguide is less than 20-mm where light exits the cover panel when the lighting device is in operation.