Vehicle Lamp Light Guide Layout for Independent Emission Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle lamps with light guides require improved functionality and diversified light irradiation states to adapt to various vehicle types, but existing designs struggle to separately control light emission from multiple light guides without interference and efficient use of circuit boards.

Innovation Solution

The vehicle lamp design incorporates two light guides with distinct emitting and incident surfaces, positioned across a reflector to avoid shielding, and shares a common circuit board for light sources, with engagement protrusions to secure the light guides and prevent interference, allowing for independent control of light emission patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light guides are disposed inside a lamp outer case with intersecting light guiding portions, then the light irradiation state can be diversified, but the light emission from each light guide may be shielded or interfered with by other components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight irradiation stateVSAvoidlight shielding
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions light guides at different depths along the optical axis, creating a three-dimensional arrangement where light guiding portions do not intersect in the same plane. This dimensional separation allows multiple light guides to emit light simultaneously without mutual shielding, resolving the contradiction between diversifying light irradiation and preventing light blocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate circuit boards are provided for each light source to enable independent control, then the light irradiation state can be diversified, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight irradiation stateVSAvoidcircuit board configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources onto a single circuit board, integrating their control functions. This merging approach reduces device complexity and manufacturing cost while still enabling independent control of each light guide through separate control signals routed through the unified circuit board infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If light guides are positioned to allow independent light emission, then the light irradiation state can be controlled separately, but the spatial arrangement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission controlVSAvoidspatial arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes the optical axis dimension to separate light guides spatially, arranging them at different positions along the depth direction. This three-dimensional configuration enables independent light emission control while maintaining a compact overall structure, as the separation is achieved along the existing optical path rather than requiring lateral expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration enables separate and flexible control of light emission from multiple light guides, enhancing functionality by diversifying the light irradiation state and reducing manufacturing costs through shared circuit board usage.

Implementation Method 1

a first reflector configured to reflect a part of light emitted from the first light emitting surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the incident light is internally reflected (totally reflected) by a total reflection step and is guided in the light guiding portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3875848B1Vehicle lamp
Publication Date: 2023.11.29 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP3875848B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3875848B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3875848B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The objective of the presention invention is to improve functionality by diversifying a light radiation state. This vehicle lamp fitting is provided with a first light guide (6) which includes a first light guiding portion (11) having a first emission surface (11c) formed thereon, and of which at lealst one surface in light guiding direction is formed as a first surface of incidence (11a) upon which light is incident, a second light guide (8) which includes a second light guiding portion (19) having a second emission surface (19c) formed thereon, and of which at least one surface in the light guiding direction is formed as a second surface of incidence (19a) upon which light is incident, and a first reflector (7) which reflects a portion of the light emitted from the first emission surface, wherein the first light guide portion and the second light guide portion are disposed on the opposite side of the first reflector, the first light guide portion is positioned on a light emission direction side of the second light guide portion, and a portion of the second light guide portion is positioned to the outside of the first light guide portion in the light guiding direction.