Toroidal Light Collector with Tangential Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rotating luminous devices in motor vehicles face challenges in achieving homogeneous illumination with a reduced number of light sources, often resulting in coupling defects between the light collector and index, leading to non-uniform visual rendering.
Innovation Solution
A light device featuring a toroidal light collector with tangentially penetrating collection guides, dispersive prisms, and a configuration that promotes total reflection and efficient light distribution, allowing for homogeneous illumination at the output ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a light collector with circular shape is used to reduce the number of light sources, then the number of light sources is reduced, but coupling defects occur between the light collector and light index resulting in non-homogeneous illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light collection system into multiple independent light collection guides (first light collection guide, second light collection guide, etc.) that penetrate the light collector at different positions and angles. Each guide independently collects light from specific regions of the light collector, allowing precise control of light paths and improving coupling precision while maintaining reduced light source count.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different light collection configurations to different regions of the light collector. Each light collection guide is positioned and oriented to optimize light collection from its specific region, with inlet ends penetrating at tangential angles optimized for local light distribution. This local optimization ensures homogeneous illumination across the entire light index while using minimal light sources.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to achieve homogeneous illumination at all positions of the light index, then homogeneous illumination is achieved, but the device size and electrical power supply requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a light collector with circular cross-section and uses light collection guides that penetrate at tangential angles. The curved geometry of the light collector combined with tangential penetration creates optimal light reflection paths through total internal reflection, maximizing light distribution efficiency. This geometric configuration enables homogeneous illumination across all light index positions using only one or two light sources instead of multiple sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The light collector acts as an intermediary element between the light source(s) and the light index. It receives light from the source, distributes it through total internal reflection along its curved surface, and delivers it to multiple light collection guides that penetrate at optimized tangential angles. This intermediary structure enables one or two light sources to illuminate all positions of the rotating light index uniformly, avoiding the need for multiple light sources.
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 improved coupling between the light collector and guides, ensuring uniform luminous intensity across the luminous index, enhancing visual rendering and reducing light source requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The light collector is configured to bring a beam of light coming from the light source into the light collection guides
Implementation Method 2
the flat of the collector comprises dispersive elements in the form of a prism
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting device (10) including: at least one light source (12); a light collector (14); two light-gathering guides (16, 18) associated with the light collector (14), characterized in that the light collector (14) is shaped such as to lead a light beam from said at least one light source (12) into the two light-gathering guides (16, 18); each one of said gathering guides is provided with an input end (161, 181) that tangentially penetrates the light collector (14), and with an output end (162, 182); and the two gathering guides (16, 18) are shaped such that the output ends (162, 182) come together, forming an output diopter of the lighting device.