Vehicle Lamp Sensor Integration Design
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle lamps with integrated sensors face challenges in downsizing, thinning, and improving designability due to the increased size and visibility of sensor regions, which obstruct light emission and aerodynamic efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle lamp integrates sensors within the light irradiating region, using organic EL devices, reflecting mirrors, and light guiding members to position sensors within the light-emitting area, making them visually indistinguishable from the lamp's light-emitting components, thus enhancing designability and allowing for downsizing and thinning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are disposed inside the vehicle lamp, then sensor functionality is integrated, but the sensor region becomes visually perceivable as a non-light-emitting region, causing poor designability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sensor function unit with the light irradiating region by disposing the sensor within the light-emitting area. The light from the lamp function unit illuminates the sensor region, making it visually indistinguishable from other light-emitting portions, thereby integrating the sensor while maintaining design aesthetics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If various lamp units and sensors are disposed in parallel, then all components are housed, but the lamp size increases, making downsizing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a parallel disposal arrangement to a superimposed arrangement where the sensor function unit is disposed within the light irradiating region in the vertical dimension. This allows multiple components to occupy the same horizontal footprint, achieving downsizing while maintaining all functionalities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If sensors are disposed inside the vehicle lamp, then integration is achieved, but the visible sensor region obstructs light emission and reduces aerodynamic efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sensor housing with the lamp housing structure, eliminating separate sensor mounts that would create aerodynamic drag. The sensor is integrated within the existing aerodynamic contours of the lamp assembly, reducing resistance while maintaining sensor 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 configuration enables the vehicle lamp to achieve downsizing while maintaining sensor functionality, improving design aesthetics and aerodynamic characteristics by concealing sensors within the light-emitting region, ensuring proper light irradiation and external environment measurement.
Implementation Method 1
the light irradiating region is configured of an organic EL device
Implementation Method 2
the light irradiating region is configured of a light source unit and a reflecting mirror that reflects a light from the light source unit
Implementation Method 3
the light irradiating region is configured of a light source unit and a light guiding member, and a scattering portion that scatters a light from the light source unit is formed on the light guiding member
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lamp that ensures achieving downsizing while integrating sensors and improving a designability is provided. The vehicle lamp includes a lamp function unit (10) and a sensor function unit (20). The lamp function unit (10) has a light irradiating region (30). The sensor function unit (20) is arranged within the light irradiating region (30) in a front view.