Vehicle Light Guide With Lenticular Optics for 3D Image Effects
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle components lack a simple-to-manufacture design that effectively captures the viewer's attention with unique optical effects, such as three-dimensional imagery or animated sequences, while maintaining precise alignment and control over light transmission.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle component featuring a light guide with a lenticular lens structure and a lenticular image formed by light deflection structures, which are integrated into the optical fiber, allowing for precise alignment and adjustable light redirection to create three-dimensional effects, animated sequences, or directional image changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lenticular lens structure with multiple nested images is used to create three-dimensional effects and animated sequences, then the optical effect and viewer attention are improved, but the manufacturing precision and alignment requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lenticular lens structure and the lenticular image into a single integrated component manufactured in one piece using injection molding. This merging eliminates the need for separate alignment processes between the lens structure and image layers, thereby maintaining high optical effects while reducing the stringency of alignment requirements during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The lenticular image is pre-formed within the light guide during the injection molding process itself, before final assembly. The mold cavity is designed with the lenticular image already embedded, so that when the light guide solidifies, the image is precisely positioned relative to the lens structures without requiring post-manufacturing alignment.
2Manufacturing precision
If light deflection structures are integrated into the light guide to form the lenticular image, then the alignment precision and light transmission control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light deflection structures are merged with the light guide body, forming an integrated component where the image-forming structures are part of the light guide itself rather than separate elements. This reduces the number of discrete components while maintaining precise light control.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves multiple functions: it guides light from the light source, forms the lenticular image through integrated deflection structures, and provides the structural support for the entire display assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.
3Illumination intensity
If a lenticular lens structure with at least two nested images is used to produce three-dimensional effects and movement, then the visual appeal and attention-grabbing effect are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lenticular image is segmented into multiple nested images within the mold cavity design, where each image layer is positioned at different depths or orientations. This segmentation allows the creation of complex three-dimensional and animated effects while maintaining a single-piece manufacturing process through injection molding.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple nested images that would traditionally require separate manufacturing and assembly steps are merged into a single integrated structure formed during one injection molding cycle. The mold cavity is designed to create all image layers simultaneously, reducing manufacturing complexity despite the visual complexity of the final product.
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 provides a motor vehicle component that draws attention with unique optical effects, ensuring precise alignment and controlled light transmission, enhancing visibility and aesthetic appeal without noticeable distortion.
Implementation Method 1
a lenticular lens structure with a multitude of lenses, each of which is convex towards the viewing side
Implementation Method 2
The lenticular image is formed using light deflection structures which are provided on and/or in the light guide
Data Source
Figure 1a~1c
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A motor vehicle component (1) with a visible side (101) and a reverse side (102) is described, comprising a light guide (11), a lenticular lens structure (12), and a lenticular image (13). The lenticular lens structure (12) has a plurality of lenses (121), each of which is convex towards the visible side (101). The lenticular image (13) is arranged on the reverse side and corresponding to the lenticular lens structure (12) and comprises at least two nested images (131, 132, 133) to produce a three-dimensional effect, movement, and/or image change. The lenticular image (13) is formed by means of light deflection structures (141, 143) which are provided on and/or in the light guide (11). Furthermore, a method for manufacturing such a motor vehicle component (1) is described.