TIR Lens Light Coupling for Rear View Turn Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional exterior mirrors face challenges in providing sufficient light intensity for turn signals, especially in limited space conditions, to meet legal requirements and ensure road safety, as existing solutions are complex and expensive due to the need for multiple LEDs and intricate light module structures.
Innovation Solution
The use of a specially configured Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens that encloses the LED, efficiently transferring light intensity into a light guide, allowing for optimal light coupling and meeting legal minimum light intensities without the need for additional optics, and can be applied to both mirror and camera systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs and intricate light module structures are used to meet legal light intensity requirements, then the light intensity requirement is satisfied, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the LED light source, TIR lens, and light guide into a single integrated turn signal module. The LED is directly mounted on the light guide with the TIR lens coupling light into the light guide, eliminating the need for separate reflectors, multiple LEDs, and complex housing structures. This merging achieves legal light intensity requirements while significantly simplifying the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The TIR lens acts as an intermediary component that efficiently couples light from the LED into the light guide. The lens transforms the LED's emission pattern into a controlled beam that meets legal intensity requirements, serving as a mediator between the light source and the light guide to achieve optimal light transfer without complex additional optics.
2Illumination intensity
If a large number of LEDs are attached along an elongated light module, then the light intensity distribution is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light coupling function into a specific TIR lens region on the light guide, rather than distributing multiple LEDs along an elongated module. The light guide itself is segmented into a coupling region where the TIR lens is positioned and a decoupling region where light exits, allowing precise control of light distribution through the light guide's geometry rather than through multiple discrete light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves multiple functions: it acts as the light coupling medium, the light distribution channel, and the structural housing for the turn signal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate elongated light modules with multiple LEDs, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining uniform light intensity distribution across the turn signal area.
3Volume of moving object
If fiber optic technology with light guides is used to illuminate the turn signal, then space utilization is improved, but sufficient light intensity at the end of the light guide becomes difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The TIR lens performs preliminary light conditioning at the coupling point, transforming the LED's emission into a controlled beam pattern before light enters the light guide. This preliminary action ensures that maximum light intensity is coupled into the light guide from the start, compensating for any potential intensity loss along the light guide's length and ensuring sufficient intensity reaches the decoupling area to meet legal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes the TIR lens parameters (refractive index, curvature, size) and the light guide coupling geometry to maximize light coupling efficiency. By carefully selecting and adjusting these optical parameters, the system achieves high light transfer efficiency through the light guide, ensuring adequate light intensity at the exit while maintaining compact dimensions.
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 solution effectively enhances light coupling efficiency, reducing the complexity and cost of light module structures while ensuring compliance with legal light intensity requirements, making it suitable for both exterior mirrors and camera systems under limited space conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The use of a specially configured Total Internal Reflection (TIR) lens that encloses the LED, efficiently transferring light intensity into a light guide
Data Source
AI summary
The optical light coupling has a light conductor (7) has a coupling surface placed at a distance from a TIR lens (10). An LED (6) protrudes into a recess (12) of the TIR lens, with the lens extending to below the level of the LED. The recess forms a convex lens structure (14).