Vehicle Lighting Device with Flexible Light Guide for Trunk Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicle lighting, existing systems with movable and fixed light parts inefficiently manage luminous flux, particularly when the trunk door is open or closed, leading to suboptimal energy usage and non-compliance with regulatory light intensity requirements.
Innovation Solution
A luminous device with means to control the emission of light sources based on their relative positions, allowing for distinct light functions and intensities when the trunk door is closed or open, ensuring compliance with regulatory light intensities and efficient energy management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the trunk door is opened to provide wide trunk opening, then the ease of operation is improved, but the light intensity compliance deteriorates because the mobile light part becomes misaligned with the fixed light part
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light guide element flexible so it can adapt its shape according to the relative position of the fixed and mobile light parts. When the trunk door opens, the flexible light guide deforms to maintain proper optical alignment between the two light parts, resolving the alignment issue caused by door movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the light guide element from rigid to flexible, allowing it to change its geometric parameters (shape, curvature) in response to door position changes. This enables the light guide to compensate for misalignment and maintain proper light transmission regardless of trunk door opening state.
2Device complexity
If common supply is used for both fixed and mobile light parts, then the device complexity is reduced, but the energy efficiency deteriorates when the trunk door is open
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by using the position detection capability inherent in the system to automatically control the light parts. The control unit detects when the trunk door is open and automatically adjusts the lighting configuration without requiring complex manual switching or additional sensors, achieving energy efficiency through intelligent automatic control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the light parts multi-functional by enabling them to serve different purposes based on door position. The mobile light part can function as a brake light when the trunk is closed, and as a separate signaling element when the trunk is open, allowing the same hardware to fulfill multiple regulatory light functions without additional components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the mobile light part is placed on the trunk door to accommodate large boot doors, then the adaptability is improved, but the light intensity regulation deteriorates due to position variability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using a control unit that detects the relative position between the fixed and mobile light parts and uses this information to regulate the light intensity appropriately. This closed-loop control ensures that lighting requirements are met regardless of the trunk door's position or the size of the boot door.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light guide element flexible so it can adapt its shape according to the relative position of the fixed and mobile light parts. When the trunk door opens, the flexible light guide deforms to maintain proper optical alignment between the two light parts, resolving the alignment issue caused by door movement.
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 enables efficient and economical management of electrical energy by adjusting light source intensities according to the trunk door's position, ensuring all light sources produce compliant luminous flux in both closed and open states, thereby meeting regulatory provisions and optimizing energy use.
Implementation Method 1
An LED is a semiconductor component, which, when traversed by an electric current of a predetermined intensity, emits light rays
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention provides a device and a method for managing the luminous flux emitted by fixed and moving parts of a lighting system for a motor vehicle. Remarkably, the management of the luminous flux takes into account the relative position between the different parts of the lighting system.