Vehicle Light Emitting Device 3D Effect Manufacturing Cost

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional light emitting devices that produce a three-dimensional effect, such as tail lights for vehicles, tend to increase manufacturing costs due to complex designs and the use of multiple light guide plates.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting device for vehicles that incorporates a display portion with a light guide plate and a light emitting portion, where the light emitting region overlaps with the image in the vehicle's front-rear direction, serving as a reference surface to enhance the three-dimensional effect while keeping manufacturing costs low, and optionally includes a translucent cover or second image to further improve the effect.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If multiple light guide plates are used to produce a three-dimensional effect, then the three-dimensional effect is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethree-dimensional effectVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the image display function and the three-dimensional reference surface function into a single light guide plate structure. The light guide plate forms an image in space while simultaneously providing a reference surface through its physical presence, eliminating the need for multiple separate light guide plates and reducing manufacturing cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a three-dimensional effect by forming an image in space through the light guide plate rather than using multiple plates stacked in different positions. The image is projected into the space in front of the light guide plate, creating depth perception without requiring multiple physical layers.

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

2Shape

If the design of light is complicated to express three-dimensional effect, then the three-dimensional effect is improved, but the manufacturing cost further increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplicated designVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light guide plate into different functional regions: a light emitting surface for forming the image and a reference surface region. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function independently, enabling complicated three-dimensional designs while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide plate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the light source, forms an image in space, and provides a reference surface for three-dimensional perception. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing manufacturing cost while achieving complicated three-dimensional designs.

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

The solution effectively enhances the three-dimensional effect of the image while reducing manufacturing costs by using a light guide plate and a light emitting region that functions as a reference surface, and can include additional features like a translucent cover or second image to enhance depth perception.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide plate that guides light from the first light source to form a first image in a space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guiding: Optical Fibre

Implementation Method 2

a light emitting region that overlaps with the first image in a vehicle front-rear direction at a position close to the first image and emits light from the second light source to an outside of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS11486559B2Light emitting device
Publication Date: 2022.11.01 OMRON CORP
  • US11486559B2 patent drawing
  • US11486559B2 patent drawing
  • US11486559B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A light emitting device is provided to a vehicle. The light emitting device includes a display portion and a light emitting portion. The display portion includes a first light source and a light guide plate that guides light from the first light source to form a first image in a space. The light emitting portion includes a second light source and a light emitting region that overlaps with the first image in a vehicle front-rear direction at a position close to the first image and emits light from the second light source to the outside of the vehicle.