Vehicle Clock Lighting Apparatus with Reflector and Prism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing lighting apparatus for vehicle clocks suffers from light loss due to scattered light, necessitating increased numbers of light sources, parts, weight, and costs, while a white dial plate clashes with dark interior materials, reducing luxuriousness.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus with a reflector and prism configuration that guides light efficiently onto a dark-colored dial plate with integrated diffusing dots, eliminating the need for a separate diffuser and enhancing color harmony, thereby reducing part count, weight, and cost while improving visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a prism and diffuser are used to guide and diffuse light, then light distribution is improved, but light loss occurs due to scattering to the side of the dial plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the diffuser component from the optical path, extracting the element causing light scattering and energy loss. Instead of using a separate diffuser, the invention uses the dial plate itself with integrated light-transmitting parts to achieve uniform light distribution without the harmful scattering effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the dial plate with light-transmitting parts integrated directly into its structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate diffusing components and directs light efficiently through the dial plate to illuminate the time display unit without scattering to the sides.
2Illumination intensity
If the number of light sources is increased to compensate for light loss, then night visibility is improved, but weight and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously harmful light scattering effect into a beneficial directed illumination. By using light-transmitting parts integrated into the dial plate, the system directs scattered light toward the time display unit, transforming what was waste into useful illumination and reducing the need for additional light sources.
3Illumination intensity
If a white dial plate is used to ensure visibility, then time display visibility is improved, but color clash with dark interior materials reduces luxuriousness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by integrating light-transmitting parts only in the specific regions of the dial plate where time display visibility is needed. This allows the majority of the dial plate to maintain a dark color for aesthetic harmony, while localized transparent regions provide the necessary illumination for the time display.
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 enhances night visibility by concentrating light onto the dial plate, reduces the number of parts and costs, and maintains a luxurious appearance by matching the dial plate color with the interior material.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector installed to be positioned at a front of the light source and positioned in a case and guiding the light generated from the light source together with the case
Implementation Method 2
a prism installed to be positioned at a front of the reflector and surround a dial plate and concentrating the light guided by the reflector and the case into the dial plate
Implementation Method 3
The diffusing dots may be formed on the bottom of the prism and protruded to a rear surface facing the PCB
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of diffusing dots implementing a rear lighting of the dial plate by refracting and scattering light that has been branched into the bottom of the prism
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting apparatus may include a printed circuit board (PCB) for supplying power, a light source electrically connected to the PCB and generating light, a reflector installed to be positioned at a front of the light source and positioned in a case and guiding the light generated from the light source together with the case, and a prism installed to be positioned at a front of the reflector and surround a dial plate and concentrating the light guided by the reflector and the case into the dial plate.