Vehicle Light Guide with Reflective Absorptive Layers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle lighting systems using light pipes often experience light leakage, illuminating unintended areas due to light escaping in undesired directions, necessitating an improved design to enhance light directionality and reduce unwanted illumination.
Innovation Solution
A light guide system comprising a translucent core portion, a reflective portion to redirect escaped light, and an absorptive portion to absorb excess light, with an attachment feature for secure integration with the vehicle, all formed integrally to minimize gaps and reduce light leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light pipes are used to transmit light in a desired direction, then light transmission is achieved, but light escapes in undesired directions causing illumination of unintended areas
Solution Approach 1:
The light pipe is segmented into distinct functional zones: a light-transmissive core portion for guiding light, a reflective portion surrounding the core to redirect escaped light back into it, and an absorptive portion surrounding the reflective portion to absorb remaining light. This segmentation allows each portion to perform its specific function optimally, preventing light leakage while maintaining directional transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the light pipe are given different optical properties: the core portion is light-transmissive, the reflective portion has high reflectivity, and the absorptive portion has high light absorption. This local differentiation of qualities enables precise control over light behavior at each location, solving the contradiction between light transmission and light leakage.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If additional light-blocking structures and adhesives are used to prevent light leakage, then light control improves, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light-transmissive core portion, reflective portion, and absorptive portion are merged into a single integral light guide component formed by injection molding. This eliminates the need for separate light-blocking structures and adhesives, reducing device complexity while effectively controlling light leakage through the integrated multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integral light guide performs multiple functions simultaneously: guiding light transmission, reflecting escaped light back into the core, absorbing remaining light, and providing structural support. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional specialized components, simplifying the overall device structure.
3Illumination intensity
If light pipes are used to transmit light, then illumination is achieved, but unintended areas are illuminated reducing precision
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light pipe into core, reflective, and absorptive portions, the invention creates a controlled light pathway that prevents light from escaping into unintended areas. The reflective portion redirects escaped light back into the core, while the absorptive portion captures any remaining light, ensuring illumination precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The assignment of specific optical properties to different locations (transmissive core, reflective middle layer, absorptive outer layer) creates a gradient of light control that maintains precise illumination directionality while preventing unintended illumination through localized light management.
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 redirects and absorbs escaped light, reducing unwanted illumination, eliminating the need for additional light-blocking structures and adhesives, while maintaining aesthetic appeal and reducing costs by integrating the components in a single unitary body.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective portion disposed about the core portion along the length of the body
Implementation Method 2
an absorptive portion disposed about the reflective portion along the length of the reflective portion
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide for a light system of a vehicle and a method of forming the light guide are disclosed herein. The light system comprises the light guide, a light source proximate the guide, and a receiving feature coupled to the vehicle. The light guide comprises a core portion having a light transmissive body, a reflective portion, an absorptive portion, and an attachment feature. The reflective portion is disposed about the core portion along the length of the body. The absorptive portion is disposed about the reflective portion along the length of the reflective portion. The attachment feature extends outwardly from the absorptive portion and is configured to be engaged with the receiving feature coupled to the vehicle.