Vehicle Light Guide With Deflection Elements For Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated vehicle components require numerous light sources due to inefficient light deflection, leading to high manufacturing costs and undesirable cloudy appearances when unlit.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle component with a first light guide and diffuser elements, where light is coupled into the guide through a light coupling surface and deflected by first light deflection elements towards diffuser elements, which scatter the light diffusely to achieve uniform illumination with fewer light sources, using geometric designs to minimize visibility of elements when unlit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional holder body design is used, then the structure is simple, but the holder body cannot be properly retained in the vehicle body due to lack of engagement features
Solution Approach 1:
The holder body is segmented into a retention portion with multiple retention tabs extending from different surfaces. Each tab can be independently retained by corresponding recesses in the vehicle body, distributing the retention function across multiple discrete engagement points rather than a single complex mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
Retention tabs serve as intermediary elements between the holder body and vehicle body. These tabs extend into recesses to create mechanical engagement, acting as mediators that transfer and secure the holder body to the vehicle body without requiring complex fastening mechanisms.
2Reliability
If adhesive alone is used to attach the holder body, then the application is simple, but the adhesive bond is insufficient to secure the holder body properly
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism merges two methods: adhesive bonding and mechanical retention. Adhesive is applied to attach the holder body to the vehicle body, while retention tabs extend into recesses to provide mechanical interlocking, combining both methods to achieve reliable attachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system uses composite attachment methods combining chemical bonding (adhesive) and mechanical bonding (retention tabs in recesses). This composite approach leverages both adhesive properties and mechanical interlocking to create a robust attachment that neither method could achieve alone.
3Reliability
If the holder body is exposed without coverage, then the assembly is simple, but the holder body is susceptible to damage from external factors
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding external protective covers around the holder body, the protection is inverted by integrating retention tabs directly into the holder body structure itself. The tabs serve dual purposes: mechanical retention and structural reinforcement, providing protection without external add-on components.
4Reliability
If no retention tabs are provided, then the holder body design is simple, but the holder body cannot be mechanically retained in the vehicle body
Solution Approach 1:
The holder body structure is modified locally by adding retention tabs at specific locations where mechanical engagement is needed. Each tab is positioned to engage with corresponding recesses in the vehicle body, providing localized reinforcement without requiring complex structural changes throughout the entire holder body.
Data Source
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AI summary
A component (1) for a vehicle having a visible side (11) comprises a first light guide (2), which comprises a light coupling-in surface (25) and a plurality of first light deflection elements (211, 212, 213, 214, 215), wherein light can be coupled into the first light guide (2) through the light coupling-in surface (25), and a plurality of diffuser elements (311, 312, 313, 314, 315) which are designed to scatter light diffusely. The first light deflection elements (211, 212, 213, 214, 215) are each designed to deflect the light coupled into the first light guide (2) by a deflection angle directed in the direction of the diffuser elements (311, 312, 313, 314, 315) so that the diffuser elements (311, 312, 313, 314, 315) scatter said directed light diffusely in the direction of the visible side (11).