Transparent Plastic Reflector with Fluorescent Material for Vehicle Lamp

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle lamps require additional space and components for reflectors, leading to increased installation space, weight, and costs, as well as limitations in integrating reflectors with light functions due to the need for separate installation and compatibility issues with light sources.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle lamp design that integrates a reflector made of transparent plastic with fluorescence material, where the excitation light source radiates blue light to stimulate red fluorescence, allowing the reflector to function as both a reflector and a light source without additional space, using a color filter to ensure the reflector emits red light for specific light functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate reflector is installed in the vehicle lamp, then the retroreflection function is improved, but the installation space and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretroreflection functionVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the reflector and light source into a single integrated lamp unit. The reflector is formed as an integral part of the lamp housing, and the light source is directly mounted within the reflector structure, eliminating the need for separate reflector and light source components. This merging reduces installation space while maintaining both retroreflection and lighting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated lamp unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the reflector provides retroreflection for visibility, while the embedded light source provides illumination. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, reducing both installation space and device complexity while improving overall system efficiency.

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

2Reliability

If a separate reflector is installed in the vehicle lamp, then the retroreflection function is improved, but the device complexity and component count increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveretroreflection functionVSAvoidcomponent count
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reflector and light source into a single integrated lamp unit. The reflector is formed as an integral part of the lamp housing, and the light source is directly mounted within the reflector structure, eliminating the need for separate reflector and light source components. This merging reduces installation space while maintaining both retroreflection and lighting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated lamp unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: the reflector provides retroreflection for visibility, while the embedded light source provides illumination. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate components, reducing both installation space and device complexity while improving overall system efficiency.

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

3Volume of stationary object

If a reflector is integrated with light function in the same area, then the installation space is reduced, but the light distribution and visibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidlight distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated lamp incorporates multiple light sources of different types (incandescent bulb for backward radiation, LED for side radiation) within the same reflector structure. This segmentation of light source functions allows simultaneous achievement of retroreflection and directional illumination, improving light distribution while maintaining space efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the integrated lamp are optimized for different functions: the central area contains the incandescent bulb for backward radiation, while the side areas contain LEDs for lateral illumination. This local optimization of light source placement and type improves overall light distribution while maintaining compact integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources are combined in one lamp housing, then the functionality is improved, but the heat management and reliability challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight function combinationVSAvoidheat management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat sink as an intermediary component between the light sources and the lamp housing. The heat sink absorbs and dissipates heat generated by the incandescent bulb and LED, preventing heat accumulation that could damage other components. This intermediary heat management structure enables reliable operation of multiple light sources in close proximity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 design achieves a space-saving combination of reflector and light function, enhancing visibility and safety while reducing component count and installation complexity, with improved energy efficiency and design flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

A fluorescence material is inserted into the transparent plastic of the reflector body, which radiates fluorescence light of a fluorescence light colored for a light function by radiation with excitement light emitted by the excitement light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3839328B1Lighting means combining retro-reflector and light function and a vehicle light provided with same
Publication Date: 2022.10.12 ODELO
  • EP3839328B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3839328B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3839328B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A light source (01) and a vehicle light (10) are described. The light source (01) comprises an excitation light source (02) and a reflector (03). The reflector (03) comprises a reflector body (30) made of transparent plastic. The reflector body (30) is provided with a reflector geometry (33) at a distance from its side (31) facing the reflected light. This geometry reverses reflected light entering the reflector body (30) from at least one direction and causes it to exit in the opposite direction to its entry. The excitation light source (02) shines at least some of the excitation light it emits into the reflector body (30).A fluorescent material is incorporated into the transparent plastic of the reflector body (30), which, when irradiated with excitation light emitted from the excitation light source (02), emits fluorescent light of a fluorescent color intended for a specific lighting function. The vehicle lamp (10) is characterized by such a light source (01) with an excitation light source (02) and with a reflector (03) for fulfilling and/or contributing to at least one lighting function of the vehicle lamp.