Vehicle Light Guide With Light Directing Element For Sequential Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting devices with elongated light guides struggle to create a sequential or wandering light function while maintaining a continuous appearance, as they typically require separate light sources for each segment, which compromises the homogeneous illumination and continuous appearance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a light directing element between the row of light sources and the light guide, which couples light into the rear skin surface or curved dispersion surface, allowing for sequential lighting and maintaining a continuous appearance by directing light from one end face to the opposite, creating a wandering or wiping effect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate light sources are arranged in rows for each segment to create sequential lighting, then a wandering light function can be achieved, but the continuous appearance and homogeneous illumination are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple segments along its longitudinal direction, with each segment having its own light source. This segmentation allows independent control of each segment to create sequential lighting effects while maintaining the overall continuous appearance of the light guide.
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are activated in a sequential manner rather than simultaneously, creating a periodic lighting pattern that produces the wandering light effect. Each light source is turned on and off in sequence along the longitudinal direction, giving the appearance of light moving through the guide.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a single light source is used on the end face, then the light guide maintains continuous appearance, but sequential or wandering light functions cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple segments along its longitudinal direction, with each segment having its own light source. This segmentation allows independent control of each segment to create sequential lighting effects while maintaining the overall continuous appearance of the light guide.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system transitions from a static single light source to a dynamic multi-source system where light sources can be independently controlled in time. This dynamic control enables sequential activation patterns that create wandering light effects while preserving the continuous visual appearance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light guide is segmented into separate segments with assigned light sources, then sequential lighting is achieved, but the homogeneous illumination and continuous appearance are lost
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the light guide are illuminated with different characteristics at different times. Each segment can have tailored illumination properties, allowing sequential activation patterns while maintaining appropriate light distribution within each local region for homogeneous appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The light sources are activated in a sequential manner rather than simultaneously, creating a periodic lighting pattern that produces the wandering light effect. Each light source is turned on and off in sequence along the longitudinal direction, giving the appearance of light moving through the guide.
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 solution enables a simple and compact method to achieve locally variable lighting along the light guide, maintaining a continuous appearance and enhancing the light function by providing additional light for sequential illumination, effectively creating a wandering light or wiping direction indicator function.
Implementation Method 1
elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide
Implementation Method 2
the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for vehicles with an elongated light guide comprising an end face for the coupling-in of light, into which a light beam radiated from a light source can be coupled-in. The lighting device further comprises elements for the coupling-out of light for the deflection of the coupled-in light beam in the direction of a front skin surface of the elongated light guide, on which the light beam can be coupled-out for the generation of a given light function, such that the front skin surface of the elongated light guide is connected to a rear skin surface by means of a curved dispersion surface. At least one light directing element is arranged between a row of light sources and the light guide so that the light of the light sources arranged in a row can be coupled into the rear skin surface or the curved dispersion surface of the light guide.