Vehicle Illumination Optics for Uniform Planar Light Distribution
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle illumination systems require a large number of LEDs to achieve a planar light distribution, making them inefficient and visually unappealing, as individual light sources are often visible.
Innovation Solution
The use of a lighting device with scattering reflectors and transparent bodies featuring planar facets, which scatter and refract light to create a planar distribution, allowing fewer light sources to generate a uniform and visually appealing light pattern, including a rainbow effect through spectral decomposition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of LEDs are used to generate a planar light distribution, then the light distribution becomes uniform, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflector arrangement with scattering reflectors as an intermediary component between the light source and the transparent body. This scattering reflector diffuses the light from a single point source into multiple directions, creating a planar light distribution without requiring multiple LEDs. The intermediary component transforms the point source light into a distributed light pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the system by using a transparent body with specific refractive index and a scattering reflector with controlled scattering properties. By adjusting the refractive index matching between the transparent body and surrounding medium, and controlling the scattering characteristics, the system achieves uniform planar light distribution from a single light source.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple light sources are used to create light distribution, then the illumination coverage improves, but individual light sources become visible which reduces visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The scattering reflector acts as an intermediary that distributes light from a single source across a broader area. It scatters the light in multiple directions, creating the appearance of wide illumination coverage while maintaining a single hidden light source, thus preventing visible individual light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering reflector creates multiple virtual images or copies of the light source by reflecting light in different directions. This gives the visual impression of multiple light sources distributed across the illumination area, while in reality only one physical light source exists, enhancing visual appeal by eliminating visible source points.
3Productivity
If scattering reflectors and transparent bodies are combined, then light distribution efficiency improves, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the scattering function and the light distribution function into a single integrated transparent body structure. The transparent body with specific refractive index combines the roles of light guide and light distributor, eliminating the need for separate complex optical components and simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining high light distribution efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent body serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light guide, a scattering element, a refractive element, and a structural component. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying the device structure while achieving efficient light distribution.
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 solution enables a compact and efficient generation of various light functions, such as flashing and daytime running lights, with a visually appealing distribution, using fewer light sources and preventing direct observation of the light sources, enhancing the aesthetic and operational efficiency of motor vehicle illumination systems.
Implementation Method 1
light which is generated by the light source or the light sources of the lighting device is scattered on the scattering reflector or the scattering reflectors of the reflector arrangement, due to which scattered light results
Implementation Method 2
scattered light results, which is at least partially refracted on facets of the transparent body or the transparent bodies and subsequently exits from the illumination apparatus to generate a light distribution
Implementation Method 3
one or more transparent bodies which each have a surface made up of a plurality of planar and preferably ground facets, wherein preferably the entire surface of a respective transparent body is formed from facets. A transparent body is to be understood here as a body which is formed from a material having a transmittance of 90% or more
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus for a motor vehicle includes a lighting device having one or more light sources, a reflector arrangement having one or more scatter reflectors, and one or more transparent bodies each having a surface made of a plurality of flat facets. The illumination apparatus is designed such that light generated by the light source(s) of the lighting device is scattered at the scatter reflector(s) of the reflector arrangement, as a result of which scattered light is created, which is refracted at least partially on facets of the transparent body or bodies and then exits the illumination apparatus in order to generate a light distribution.