Vehicle Illumination Optics With Segmented Reflectors and Stray Light Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED displays in motor vehicles suffer from low luminous flux, require high operating currents, and produce stray light that affects the appearance of light signatures, making it difficult to achieve legally required light intensities and sharp images.
Innovation Solution
An illumination apparatus with a reflector element, optical lens plate, and a screen that selectively switches between transparent and non-transparent areas to control light emission, using a combination of light emitting diodes, reflector segments, and a passive LC display to block stray light and enhance contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LED displays with matrix arrangement of RGB LEDs are used, then color display capability is improved, but luminous flux is insufficient and cannot achieve legally required light intensities
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination apparatus divides the display area into multiple individually controllable segments or pixels, each with its own light emitting diode and optical elements. This segmentation allows independent control of each segment to achieve both color variation and sufficient light intensity by activating only the necessary segments.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the illumination apparatus are equipped with different optical properties and light emitting characteristics. Each segment can be optimized locally for specific functions (e.g., different colors, different intensities, different beam patterns) to simultaneously achieve color display capability and legally required light intensities.
2Device complexity
If stray light from light emitting diodes is allowed to propagate, then light distribution is simplified, but the appearance of light signatures is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes stray light from the optical path using selectively switchable opaque elements. These elements are positioned to intercept stray light before it reaches the display area, effectively separating the unwanted stray light from the useful light signatures without complicating the overall device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Selectively switchable opaque elements serve as intermediaries between the light emitting diodes and the display area. These intermediaries dynamically block stray light paths while allowing desired light signatures to pass through, mediating between the light source and the display to eliminate harmful effects.
3Measurement precision
If light emitting diodes with distances of less than 2 mm are used in LED panels, then image sharpness is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of achieving image sharpness solely through reducing the lateral distance between LEDs in the same plane, the patent introduces the vertical dimension by positioning optical elements (lenses, reflectors, opaque elements) at different heights. This three-dimensional arrangement allows for sharp image formation with larger LED spacing, simplifying manufacturing.
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 solution achieves high light intensities, reduces stray light, and improves contrast, allowing for precise and versatile light signature displays with a compact design, meeting legal light intensity requirements and enhancing visibility.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted from the light emitting diodes is reflected at the segments of the reflector element and passes through the optical lens plate
Implementation Method 2
light emitted from the light emitting diodes is reflected at the segments of the reflector element and passes through the optical lens plate
Implementation Method 3
the selective circuit may be coordinated with a circuit of the light emitting diodes of the illumination apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination apparatus for a motor vehicle, the illumination apparatus having a printed circuit board having a plurality of light-emitting diodes arranged thereon. An optical lens plate and a reflector element are provided with the reflector element being arranged between the printed circuit board and the optical lens plate. The reflector element has a plurality of segments into which the reflector element is divided, and each light-emitting diode is associated with a segment so that light emitted from the light-emitting diodes is reflected at the reflector element and passes through the optical lens plate.