Vehicle Light Guide With Through-Holes for Slim Exterior Illumination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Exterior vehicle panels require numerous light sources and complex devices, leading to increased cost and complexity, and existing light guides are not adaptable for this application.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional light guide with through-holes and in-coupling surfaces for LEDs, allowing for a slim illuminated panel with reduced parts and improved positioning tolerance, featuring a patterned lit appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If numerous light sources are used to illuminate exterior panels, then the illumination coverage and brightness are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented into multiple light transmission regions with different optical properties (different refractive indices or absorption coefficients), allowing a single light source to create differentiated illumination patterns across the panel. This segmentation enables complex illumination effects without requiring multiple physical light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it transmits light from a single source, creates multiple virtual light sources through optical differentiation, controls illumination patterns, and provides aesthetic design elements. This multi-functionality replaces what would traditionally require numerous separate light sources and control systems.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional illumination devices are used for exterior panels, then the illumination effect is achieved, but the number of parts and assembly complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light transmission function, the light diffusion function, and the aesthetic design function into a single integrated light guide component. The light guide is directly mounted on the exterior panel and contains internal structures that perform multiple functions, eliminating the need for separate lenses, reflectors, and control elements that would traditionally be required.
3Manufacturing precision
If light sources are positioned with tight tolerances, then the illumination uniformity is improved, but the manufacturing and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide contains regions with locally differentiated optical properties (different refractive indices, absorption coefficients, or geometric structures) that are positioned at specific locations to control light distribution. This local differentiation allows the system to achieve uniform illumination patterns even when the light source positioning varies within broader tolerances, as the optical structures compensate for positioning variations.
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 reduces the number of light sources, simplifies assembly, and enables addressable light animation with good homogeneity and reduced cost, while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
Light guides are sheet-shaped transparent or translucent devices that rely on total internal reflection to propagate light
Implementation Method 2
a cross-section of at least one of the through-holes has a varying width along the thickness of the light guide
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide fitting a vehicle panel seen by a viewer facing said panel. The light guide features an overall planar shape with at least one edge equipped with optical interfaces intended to accommodate light sources, such as LEDs, directed towards the light guide in an illumination direction. It also comprises multiple through-hole sections arranged in rows that extend parallel to the illumination direction. The optical interfaces are positioned in locations on the edge that do not overlap with the projections of the through-hole sections onto the edge in the illumination direction. At least one of the through-hole sections has a frustoconical cross-section in any plane perpendicular to the illumination direction, the apex of the corresponding cone being located opposite the observation face when the light guide is fitting the vehicle panel. A grill lamp and a body panel comprising such a grill lamp are also disclosed.