Vehicle Lighting Device Continuous Light Guide Branches
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional light devices for motor vehicles with intermediate bodies to modify the lit appearance suffer from discontinuous light emission at contact surfaces, creating shadow zones and altering the visual rendering.
Innovation Solution
A light device comprising a main branch and an intermediate branch connected by light-emitting connectors, forming a continuous closed contour without defects in illumination, where the intermediate branch is molded in continuity with the main branch, promoting uniform light propagation and emission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If an intermediate body is used to modify the illuminated appearance, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but discontinuous light emission occurs at contact surfaces creating shadow zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the intermediate body with the light guide by integrating light-guiding functionality directly into the intermediate body structure. The intermediate body is formed with light-guiding surfaces that allow light to propagate through it, eliminating the need for separate contact surfaces that cause discontinuities. This combining of aesthetic modification and light guidance functions resolves the contradiction by maintaining continuous illumination while achieving the desired aesthetic shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate body acts as an intermediary element between light sources and the external environment, with its surfaces specifically designed to guide and transmit light. By incorporating light-guiding properties into the intermediate body, it mediates between the need for aesthetic shaping and the requirement for continuous light emission, allowing light to pass through the intermediate structure without creating shadow zones.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used to form the lighting device, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity and potential illumination defects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functional elements into a single integrated light guide structure. The intermediate body is molded as part of the light guide assembly, creating a unified component that performs both aesthetic shaping and light guidance functions. This reduction in component count simplifies assembly while maintaining manufacturing flexibility through integrated molding techniques.
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 ensures continuous light emission along the illuminated path, eliminating shadow zones and enhancing the aesthetic and functional performance of the light device.
Implementation Method 1
The light propagates within the guide by total internal reflection
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting device, particularly for a motor vehicle, comprising a light guide 1, the light guide 1 comprising a first element 10, called the main branch, and a second element 20, called the intermediate branch, the main branch 10 comprising two free ends 101, 102 and extending longitudinally from one free end 101, 102 to the other 101, 102, the intermediate branch 20 extending between two zones 201, 202 of the main branch 10, called the connecting zones, the connecting zones 201, 202 being spaced apart from each other and distinct from the free ends 101, 102 of the main branch 10, the intermediate branch 20 being joined by continuous material to both of the connecting zones 201, 202. The invention further relates to a lighting and/or signaling unit for a motor vehicle comprising such a lighting device.