Vehicle Fiber Optic Lighting Panels Adapting to Contours
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting and signaling devices are often power-hungry, require multiple components, and struggle to conform to vehicle contours, with OLED light sources being expensive and having high failure rates.
Innovation Solution
A fiber optic lighting system comprising an array of optical fibers arranged in a predetermined form, supported by adaptable frames that can create various lighting effects and conform to vehicle styling, using a single light source to generate homogeneous light output at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OLED light sources are used to conform to vehicle contours, then adaptability to vehicle styling is improved, but cost increases and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses fiber optic fibers as copies or substitutes for OLED light sources. The fibers replicate the light-guiding function of OLEDs but with superior reliability and lower cost. The fibers are arranged in predetermined forms to copy the desired lighting patterns and vehicle contour adaptations that OLEDs would provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs fiber optic fibers which are inexpensive compared to OLEDs. While individual fibers may have limited lifetimes, the system uses arrays of fibers where individual failures do not compromise the entire lighting system, effectively providing reliable, low-cost lighting that adapts to vehicle styling.
2Ease of manufacture
If traditional lighting devices with reflectors are used, then lighting function is achieved, but device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates unnecessary components from traditional lighting systems. By using fiber optic fibers that inherently guide light along their length, the system removes reflectors, cutoff devices, and other auxiliary components that traditional lighting requires, thereby simplifying the overall device structure and reducing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical optical systems (reflectors, lenses, cutoff devices) with an optical waveguide system based on fiber optic fibers. The fibers use total internal reflection to guide light, eliminating the need for mechanical reflector assemblies and associated adjustment mechanisms, thus reducing both complexity and power requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If fiber optic fibers are arranged in predetermined forms, then adaptability to vehicle contours is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible fiber optic panels that can be bent and shaped into predetermined forms to conform to vehicle contours. The flexibility of the fiber bundles allows them to adapt to complex three-dimensional shapes while maintaining their optical functionality, reducing the need for high-precision rigid mounting structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the lighting system into modular fiber optic panels or bundles that can be independently arranged and configured. This segmentation allows for easier manufacturing and assembly, where individual fiber bundles can be pre-formed and then assembled into the final predetermined configuration, reducing overall manufacturing precision requirements.
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 system provides adaptable, energy-efficient, and aesthetically pleasing lighting solutions that conform to vehicle contours, offering improved reliability and reduced costs compared to traditional systems.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber optic display having a plurality of optical fibers
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device (10) for a vehicle comprising: an array of optical fibers (28), at least a portion of said array of optical fibers being arranged in at least one predetermined form (32); at least one light source (20) for generating light to be transmitted through said array of optical fibers (28); and at least one support or frame (16) comprising a receiving area adapted to receive said at least one predetermined form; said at least one support or frame (16) being adapted for use on the vehicle to provide a lighting function on the vehicle. Furthermore, a lighting device (10) for a vehicle comprising: a housing (12); a plurality of support frames (16) located in said housing (12); and a plurality of fiber optic light panels (32) received in one of said plurality of support frames (16), each of said plurality of fiber optic light panels (32) comprising a plurality of optical fibers (28); said plurality of fiber optic panels (32) being adapted to receive light from at least one light source (20) to perform at least one lighting function.