Vehicle Light Substrate Segmentation for Distinct Luminous Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lights struggle to achieve multiple lighting functions while minimizing size and weight, and fail to create distinct luminous patterns that differentiate manufacturers, as they are limited by traditional design and material constraints.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle light design featuring a container body and a counter-shaped lenticular body made of transparent or semi-transparent material, supported by a substrate with transparent and opaque portions to create specific light patterns, embedded in a plastic cover layer for efficient light diffusion and pattern definition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional vehicle light designs are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the light cannot create distinct luminous patterns that differentiate manufacturers and cannot achieve multiple lighting functions while minimizing size and weight
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is segmented into transparent portions and opaque portions, allowing different light transmission characteristics in different areas. This segmentation enables the creation of multiple luminous patterns within a single light assembly without requiring separate light sources or complex optical components for each pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The single substrate with multiple transparent portions serves multiple functions: it acts as a support structure for the light source, a light guide, a pattern-defining element, and an aesthetic component. This multi-functionality allows the light assembly to achieve various lighting functions (position lights, brake lights, turn signals) while minimizing overall size and weight.
2Weight of moving object
If multiple lighting functions are integrated into a single vehicle light, then the overall dimensions and weight are reduced, but the manufacturing precision and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lenticular body is merged with the substrate to form an integrated housing structure. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing components and simplifies the assembly process, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to achieve multiple lighting functions within a compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate with embedded light sources is nested within the lenticular body housing. This nested structure allows efficient space utilization, enabling multiple lighting functions to be integrated while minimizing overall dimensions and weight, and simplifies sealing by creating a unified enclosed structure.
3Manufacturing precision
If the substrate includes both transparent and opaque portions, then precise light patterns can be created, but the manufacturing complexity and material requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate exhibits local quality variations with specific areas being transparent and others being opaque. This local differentiation allows precise definition of luminous patterns without requiring complex manufacturing processes - the transparent portions allow light transmission while opaque portions block light, creating distinct patterns through material property variation rather than complex geometry.
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
Enables the creation of multiple light patterns that meet photometric requirements, are energy-efficient, and provide uniform, homogeneous lighting while allowing for customizable geometric shapes and precise aesthetic effects, enhancing the vehicle's design and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The main light source is embedded in a cover layer, in plastic, suitable to permit the diffusion of the main light beam inside it
Implementation Method 2
The substrate includes at least one portion transparent to the light beam suitable to transmit the main light beam towards the lenticular body
Implementation Method 3
The substrate includes at least one opaque portion to the main light beam, adjacent to the transparent portion in order to allow the passage of the main light beam exclusively at the transparent portion
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle light comprising a container body and a lenticular body. The light comprises a substrate that supports a main light source that is embedded in a cover layer suitable to allow the diffusion inside it of the main light beam. The cover layer is disposed on the side opposite to the lenticular body with respect to the substrate. The substrate comprises at least one transparent portion to the light beam suitable to transmit the main light beam towards the lenticular body and, through this, to the outside of the vehicle light, wherein the substrate comprises at least one opaque portion to the main light beam, adjacent to said transparent portion in order to allow the passage of the main light beam exclusively at said transparent portion. The transparent portion defines a main light pattern of the vehicle light.