Vehicle Cladding Light Guide Element Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim parts for motor vehicles inefficiently utilize light emitted by lighting units, resulting in low brightness on the outside due to diffuse scattering of light over the entire surface of the light exit area.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a light guide element coupled to the lighting unit, directing light from a light entry area to a light exit area on the cladding base body, with an opaque cover element allowing light to exit only through a controlled gap, enhancing light exit efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light is emitted directly through the entire light exit area surface, then light coverage is comprehensive, but brightness intensity is low due to diffuse scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The light exit area is segmented into two functional zones: a light entry area where light from the lighting unit enters the light guide element, and a light exit area where light is directed outward through controlled gaps. This segmentation allows concentrated light delivery to specific areas rather than diffuse scattering across the entire surface, thereby increasing brightness intensity while maintaining light efficiency.
2Loss of energy
If light is directed through a light guide element to specific exit areas, then light efficiency increases, but structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide element is merged with the cladding base body as an integrated structure. The light guide element is formed as part of the cladding base body's supporting structure, combining the functions of structural support and light guidance into a single component. This integration increases light efficiency while minimizing the increase in structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cladding base body serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the lighting unit, contains the light guide element, and features the light exit area with controlled gaps. The supporting structure also incorporates an opaque cover element that defines the gap geometry. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving light efficiency without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If opaque cover element is used to control light exit through gaps, then light direction is precise, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque cover element is merged with the supporting structure as an integrated component. The cover element is formed as part of the supporting structure that also holds the lighting unit and light guide element. This integration enables precise control of light exit through gaps while simplifying manufacturing by reducing the number of separate parts that need to be assembled.
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
Significantly increases the efficiency of light emission from the lighting unit to the outside, providing brighter illumination while maintaining a uniform appearance by using a diffusely scattering light guide element and suitable materials like polycarbonate or polymethyl methacrylate.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide element is provided, which is coupled to the lighting unit in such a way that the light emitted by the lighting unit is at least partially guided from a light entry area to a light exit area
Implementation Method 2
the cladding base has a light exit area, which consists partially or completely of a material that is translucent for the light emitted by the lighting unit
Implementation Method 3
The light-guiding element is preferably designed to be diffusely scattering, so that the individual light-emitting diodes on the light-deflecting area can no longer be triggered locally
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A fairing component for a motor vehicle, comprising: a fairing base body (1) with an outer surface (A) visible during intended use, a support structure (2) arranged on the rear side of the fairing base body (1) opposite the outer surface (A), at least one light-emitting luminaire (3) concealed by the fairing base body (1) during intended use, wherein the fairing base body (1) has a light emission area (4) consisting partially or completely of a material translucent to the light emitted by the luminaire (3), and a light guide element (5) coupled to the luminaire (3) in such a manner.that the light emitted by the luminaire (3) is guided at least partially from a light inlet area (6) to a light outlet area (7) to the light outlet area (4) of the cladding base body (1) and is visible through the light outlet area (4) on the outside (A) of the cladding base body (1).