Vehicle Lighting Device Compact Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting devices with integrated flat light guides and circuit boards have a relatively large transverse extension and installation depth due to the arrangement of the circuit board and light source, making them less compact and more difficult to mount in vehicle bodies.
Innovation Solution
The circuit board is arranged on a side opposite to the light outcoupling surface of the flat light guide, with the light source positioned in an overhang portion of the circuit board that protrudes beyond the peripheral edge of the flat light guide, allowing for a more compact design by reducing the transverse extension and installation depth.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the circuit board bearing the light source is arranged on the narrow side of the flat light guide, then the light can be coupled into the flat light guide effectively, but the transverse extension and installation depth of the lighting device become relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is moved from a transverse arrangement (on the narrow side) to a longitudinal arrangement (opposite the light outcoupling surface), changing the spatial dimension of component placement. This dimensional shift allows the light source to remain effectively coupled to the light guide while reducing the transverse extension of the overall device.
2Ease of manufacture
If the circuit board bearing the light source is arranged on the narrow side of the flat light guide, then the light can be coupled into the flat light guide effectively, but the installation depth of the lighting device becomes relatively large
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board is repositioned from a transverse arrangement to a longitudinal arrangement opposite the light outcoupling surface. This dimensional change in component placement reduces the installation depth while maintaining effective light coupling between the light source and the flat light guide.
3Volume of moving object
If the circuit board is arranged in parallel with the flat light guide behind it, then a compact flat lighting module is formed, but the light source arrangement becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit board and flat light guide are merged into a compact layered structure where the circuit board is arranged in parallel behind the light guide. The overhang portion integrates the light source arrangement, combining multiple functions into a unified compact module that reduces overall installation space.
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 configuration results in a more compact, space-saving lighting device with a reduced installation depth, facilitating easier mounting in vehicle bodies while maintaining effective light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
oppositely arranged flat sides of the flat light guide are provided for relaying the coupled-in light via total reflection at the flat sides
Implementation Method 2
Mounted on a first flat side of the flat light guide is a micro-optics structure that results in scattering when the coupled-in light strikes the micro-optics structure, as a result of which the light beams are coupled out on this flat side
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a vehicle, including a light source that is arranged on a circuit board, and a flat light guide, wherein a narrow side of the flat light guide is provided for coupling in light that is emitted by the light source. Oppositely arranged flat sides of the flat light guide are provided for relaying the coupled-in light via total reflection at the flat sides, and including a micro-optics structure that extends on a flat side of the flat light guide so that the flat side of the flat light guide, as a light outcoupling surface, is used to couple out the coupled-in light transversely with respect to a plane of extension of the flat light guide. The circuit board is arranged on a side opposite from the light outcoupling surface of the flat light guide, and the light source is arranged in an overhang portion of the circuit board that protrudes beyond a peripheral edge of the flat light guide.