Vehicle Lamp Lens Layout for Light Path Separation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle rear lamps with multiple lighting functions face challenges in design due to the need for shading elements to prevent light interference, which limits the lamp's dimensions and design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

The illumination device incorporates an additional lens device with projection sections and an opaque section, including an extension element that separates light paths and prevents light from one light source from interfering with the other, allowing for a more compact and flexible design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If shading elements are mounted in the lamp housing or mounting body to prevent light interference, then light interference between different lighting functions is prevented, but the lamp dimensions are limited and design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight interferenceVSAvoiddesign flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lens into multiple projection sections, each assigned to a specific light source and lighting function. The lens is segmented into a first projection section for the first light source and a second projection section for the second light source, allowing each section to independently control light distribution without requiring external shading elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an extension element as an intermediary component that extends from the first opaque section towards the light sources. This extension element acts as a mediator to prevent light from one source from coupling into the other light source path, thereby preventing light interference without constraining the overall lamp structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If rear lamps are designed longer to meet homogeneity requirements with smaller out-coupling openings, then homogeneity is improved, but the distance between light sources and cover lens increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovehomogeneityVSAvoiddistance between light sources and cover lens
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an extension element that extends in a direction towards the light sources, effectively adding a dimensional component to the light blocking structure. This extension element reaches between the light sources to prevent light coupling without requiring the entire lamp assembly to be longer, thus managing the light path control in an additional spatial dimension.

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

3Object-affected harmful factors

If separate reflectors or light guides are used for different lighting functions, then lighting function separation is achieved, but additional shading elements are needed and device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight interferenceVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functions of light distribution and light path separation into a single integrated lens structure. The lens combines multiple projection sections for different light sources with opaque sections for light blocking, eliminating the need for separate reflectors, light guides, and shading elements, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lens serves multiple functions simultaneously: it projects light from different sources into specific directions through its translucent projection sections, blocks light between different functions through its opaque sections, and prevents light coupling between light sources through the extension element. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 the creation of longer rear lamps with smaller out-coupling openings, maintaining homogeneity and preventing light interference, thus enhancing design flexibility and meeting homogeneity requirements.

Implementation Method 1

a first light source (100) configured to emit light in a main direction (X), wherein the first light source (100) contributes to produce a first light distribution, a second light source (200) configured to emit light in the main direction (X), wherein the second light source (200) contributes to produce a second light distribution, a cover lens (300) with a translucent section (310) configured to project the light of the first and second light source (100, 200) in the main direction (X) in front of the illumination device (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission and projection: Light

Implementation Method 2

the additional lens device (400) comprises a first opaque section (430), which is arranged between the first and second projection section (410, 420) and is configured to separate both projection sections (410, 420) from each other, so that the light coupled into the first projection section (410) of the additional lens device (400) is prevented to couple into the other projection section (420)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking/absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

the first opaque section (430) of the additional lens device (400) comprises an extension element (440), which extends from the first opaque section (430) towards and reaches between the first and second light source (100, 200), wherein the extension element (440) is arranged in a way to prevent light emitted from one of the light sources (100, 200) to couple into the other light source path and to prevent light emitted from one of the light sources (100, 200) to couple into a projection section assigned to the other light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking/absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4288693B1Illumination device for a vehicle lamp
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP4288693B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4288693B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4288693B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

1. Illumination device (10) for a vehicle lamp, preferably a rear vehicle lamp, comprising: - a first light source (100) configured to emit light in a main direction (X) and contributes to a first light distribution, - a second light source (200) configured to emit light in the main direction (X) and contributes to a second light distribution, - a cover lens (300) with a translucent section (310), - a mounting body (20), on which the first and second light source (100, 200) are mounted, wherein the illumination device (10) comprises an additional lens device (400) comprising a first projection section (410) and a second projection section (420), which are at least partly translucent and are configured to project light of the first and second light source (100, 200) into the translucent section (310) of the cover lens (300), wherein the first projection section (410) in combination with the first light source (100) is configured to produce the first light distribution, and wherein the second projection section (420) in combination with the second light source (200) is configured to produce the second light distribution, wherein the additional lens device (400) comprises a first opaque section (430), which is arranged between the first and second projection section (410, 420) and is configured to separate both projection sections (410, 420) from each other, wherein the first opaque section (430) comprises an extension element (440), which is mechanically connected to the first opaque section (430) and extends from the first opaque section (430) towards and reaches between the first and second light source (100, 200), wherein the extension element (440) is arranged in a way to prevent light emitted from one of the light sources (100, 200) to couple into the other light source.