Vehicle Lamp Light-Guide Segmentation for Low-Beam Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle lamps suffer from reduced light output efficiency due to light being totally reflected from the light output surface, which cannot be utilized to form a light distribution pattern.
Innovation Solution
The lamp design includes a guide part divided into multiple areas with varying widths in the forward/rearward direction, featuring inclined surfaces and a light input part with central and outskirt regions to refract and reflect light efficiently to a focus, forming a low beam light distribution pattern with improved light output efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a conventional light guide with constant width is used, then the structure is simple, but light output efficiency decreases due to total reflection at the light output surface
Solution Approach 1:
The guide part is divided into multiple areas (first area, second area, third area) with different width characteristics in the forward/rearward direction. This segmentation allows different regions to perform different functions: the first area with increasing width captures and redirects reflected light, the second area with constant width maintains light guidance, and the third area with decreasing width focuses light toward the output surface, thereby reducing total reflection and improving light output efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the guide part are designed with locally optimized width characteristics tailored to their specific functions. The first area has increasing width to capture divergent light, the second area has constant width for stable guidance, and the third area has decreasing width for light focusing. This local optimization ensures that each region contributes maximally to reducing light loss while maintaining overall structural coherence
2Loss of energy
If the guide part width varies in the forward/rearward direction, then light output efficiency improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide part is divided into three distinct areas with clearly defined width characteristics. This segmentation into manufacturable zones with specific geometric properties facilitates the fabrication process, as each area can be independently shaped and controlled during manufacturing while collectively achieving the overall light guidance and efficiency improvement goals
3Loss of energy
If light is totally reflected from the light output surface, then the light distribution pattern formation is simplified, but light output efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The light input part is divided into a light input central part and a light input outskirt part, each with distinct optical functions. The central part refracts central light rays toward the focus of the light output part, while the outskirt part totally reflects peripheral light rays toward the same focus. This segmentation allows efficient utilization of both central and peripheral light, improving overall light output efficiency by directing all light paths toward the intended output
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light input part are assigned different optical properties: the central part is designed for refraction to handle central light rays, while the outskirt part is designed for total internal reflection to handle peripheral light rays. This local differentiation optimizes the handling of light from different positions, ensuring maximum light utilization and efficiency
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 design minimizes light loss by effectively guiding and reflecting light to form a clear cutoff line and wide zone, enhancing the overall light output efficiency of the lamp.
Implementation Method 1
a light input central part that refracts a central light being any portion of the light output from the light source such that the central light travels toward a focus of the light output part
Implementation Method 2
a light input outskirt part totally reflects a peripheral light being another portion of the light output from the light source such that the peripheral light travels toward a focus of the light output part
Implementation Method 3
a light guide that guides travel of the light that passed through the primary optical system to a front side
Implementation Method 4
A portion of the light that passed through the primary optical system is reflected from the light guide and then is totally reflected by the light output surface of the secondary optical system
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp including a light source that outputs light, a light output part that outputs the light output from the light source, and a guide part that guides travel of the light output from the light source to the light output part. The guide part extends from the light source, at a front side of the lamp, to the light output part, at a rear side of the lamp. The guide part is divided into a plurality of areas with respect to a forward/rearward direction of the lamp, and a width of one of the areas located on a relatively front side of the guide part in a leftward/rightward direction of the lamp is greater than a width of another one of the areas located on a relatively rear side of the guide part in the leftward/rightward direction.