Vehicle Lamp Reflector Layout for Wide Lateral Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lamps struggle to increase lateral illumination angles for vehicle front traveling paths while maintaining a compact size and avoiding interference between reflectors, and they also face challenges in forming a light distribution pattern for OHS illumination without increasing the number of components.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle lamp design includes a first and second lamp unit arranged side by side, with each unit having a projection lens, a light source, a reflector, and a shade, where the second lamp unit's projection lens extends obliquely and includes additional reflectors to enhance lateral illumination, and the reflectors are partially overlapping to minimize interference and reduce the lamp's width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the reflection surface shape of each reflector is enlarged to increase luminous flux utilization rate, then more light can be reflected toward the projection lens, but the interference between reflectors increases making it difficult to secure sufficient size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the projection lens of the second lamp unit obliquely toward the rear of the lamp, utilizing the depth dimension rather than only lateral expansion. This dimensional change allows light from the first lamp unit to be redirected via additional reflectors to the second lamp unit's projection lens, increasing luminous flux utilization without requiring larger lateral reflector surfaces that would cause interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces additional reflectors as intermediary elements that redirect light from the first lamp unit to the second lamp unit's projection lens. These intermediary reflectors enable cross-utilization of light between lamp units, improving overall luminous flux utilization rate without requiring enlargement of the primary reflectors, thus avoiding interference between them.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional components are added to form a light distribution pattern for OHS illumination, then overhead sign illumination can be achieved, but the number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing reflectors and projection lenses serve multiple functions. The additional reflectors not only redirect light for lateral illumination but also contribute to forming the OHS illumination pattern by directing light upward through the obliquely extended projection lens. This multi-functionality achieves versatile light distribution patterns without proportionally increasing the number of components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous useful action by having the additional reflectors and obliquely extended projection lens work seamlessly with the existing lamp units. The light path from the light source through the reflectors to the projection lens and into the atmosphere is continuous, enabling both lateral and overhead illumination without requiring separate discrete component systems.
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 achieves sufficient lateral illumination angles, increases luminous flux utilization, and forms a light distribution pattern for OHS illumination without increasing the number of components, while maintaining a compact size.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector that reflects light emitted from the light source toward the projection lens
Implementation Method 2
a projection lens, a light source disposed on the rear of the lamp with respect to a rear focal point of the projection lens
Data Source
AI summary
A projection lens of a second lamp unit extends obliquely toward the rear of a lamp from an end portion on a first lamp unit side to an end portion on an opposite side thereof. The first lamp unit includes a first and a second additional reflectors configured to sequentially reflect light emitted from a light source of the first lamp unit toward a projection lens of the second lamp unit. The second additional reflector is disposed on a side opposite to the second lamp unit with respect to the light source. The first lamp unit emits light from the light source, sequentially reflects the light by the first and the second additional reflectors, and then emits light toward the front of the lamp through the projection lens as lateral emission light directed in a direction largely inclined laterally from a front direction of the lamp.