Vehicle Lighting Device Using Holographic Waveguide Substrate

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lighting devices with holographic features require significant installation space due to the need for large optical components and waveguides, limiting design flexibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device incorporating a secondary hologram system with a waveguide substrate, coupling-in, and coupling-out holograms that allows for compact illumination of a primary hologram, enabling efficient use of space and variable decoupling efficiency, along with spectral filtering capabilities, allowing for different lighting functions and signatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If traditional free-beam optics and optical components are used to illuminate holograms, then the lighting device can achieve the desired luminous signature, but the installation space required becomes comparatively large

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehologram illumination qualityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds the illumination optics directly within the holographic element structure. The waveguide substrate contains embedded optical elements that guide and shape light internally, eliminating the need for separate external optical components. This nesting approach allows the illumination system to be integrated within the hologram assembly, dramatically reducing the overall installation space while maintaining effective hologram illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines the holographic element and illumination system into a single integrated assembly. The waveguide substrate serves dual functions as both the structural base for the hologram and the optical medium for light guidance. By merging these previously separate components, the design eliminates the space required for distinct optical housings and mounting structures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Volume of moving object

If a waveguide substrate with input and output holograms is used to compact the illumination system, then the installation space is reduced, but the device complexity increases due to multiple hologram layers and coupling mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation spaceVSAvoidhologram system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveguide substrate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as the structural support for the holographic elements, as the optical medium for light guidance, and as the platform for both input and output coupling holograms. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing complexity while achieving compact integration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination system is segmented into distinct functional zones within the waveguide: an input hologram region for light coupling in, a waveguide core for light transmission, and an output hologram region for light coupling out. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system compactness, making the complex structure more manageable and manufacturable

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Area of stationary object

If the output hologram couples light out over a large area to illuminate the primary hologram, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the coupling efficiency varies spatially

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverage areaVSAvoidlight coupling efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The output hologram is designed with spatially varying coupling characteristics. Different regions of the output hologram have optimized coupling efficiencies tailored to the local illumination requirements. This allows the system to maintain high overall coupling efficiency while still achieving broad illumination coverage, as each local region contributes optimally to the total light output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution enables the creation of compact, versatile lighting devices that can produce various luminous signatures with reduced space requirements, supporting multiple lighting functions and efficient illumination of large areas while utilizing broadband light sources without additional filters.

Implementation Method 1

an input hologram for coupling light from a light source into the waveguide substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 2

a waveguide substrate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 3

an output hologram for coupling light out of the waveguide substrate as the illumination light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Implementation Method 4

a primary hologram for generating a luminous function in response to illumination with illumination light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3814816B1Lighting device for vehicles
Publication Date: 2023.03.08 CARL ZEISS JENA GMBH
  • EP3814816B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3814816B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B
  • EP3814816B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4D

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device for motor vehicles. Said lighting device comprises a primary hologram (11) for providing a lighting function when the primary hologram (11) is illuminated with illumination light (14). The illumination light (14) is directed towards the primary hologram (11) via a secondary hologram system (12) which comprises a coupling-in hologram, a waveguide substrate and a coupling-out hologram.