Vehicle Lighting Device with Opaque Interlayer Screen
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting and signaling devices with multiple light guides face challenges in minimizing thickness while maintaining proper functioning and preventing light scattering, which affects intensity and colorimetry, and often result in a luminous halo due to light sources between guides.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle exterior lighting and signaling device with two main light guides and an opaque intermediate screen that prevents light from passing between guides, allowing for closer arrangement and optimizing thickness, along with an opaque transverse screen to mask light sources and prevent halo formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If multiple light guides are arranged close together to reduce device thickness, then the device thickness is reduced, but light scatters between guides causing intensity and colorimetry deviations
Solution Approach 1:
An opaque intermediate screen is introduced between adjacent light guides to prevent light scattering. This intermediary element blocks light from passing between guides while allowing the guides to be positioned closer together, thus reducing overall device thickness without compromising light intensity and colorimetry compliance
Solution Approach 2:
The device is segmented into distinct optical zones using the opaque intermediate screen, which divides the light propagation paths of adjacent guides. This segmentation prevents optical interference between guides while maintaining compact arrangement
2Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are placed between light guides to enable multiple functions, then lighting functionality is enhanced, but a luminous halo forms at the ends of guides
Solution Approach 1:
The opaque intermediate screen acts as a mask that blocks stray light from light sources positioned between guides. This prevents the formation of luminous halos at guide ends while preserving the enhanced lighting functionality provided by multiple light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect (luminous halo) is extracted and blocked by the opaque intermediate screen, which selectively removes stray light while allowing desired light propagation through the guides to maintain sharp light strip definition
3Reliability
If light guides are spaced sufficiently apart to prevent light scattering, then light control is improved, but device thickness increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing horizontal spacing between guides to prevent light scattering, the solution moves to another dimension by introducing an opaque intermediate screen that vertically blocks light paths. This allows guides to remain closely spaced horizontally while maintaining light control precision
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 a thinner device with improved light control and reduced scattering, maintaining compliance with automotive standards and enhancing aesthetic design by providing sharper light bands and homogeneous illumination.
Implementation Method 1
an opaque interlayer screen which is interposed between the two main guides and which extends parallel to the medial faces opposite the latter between the plate and an area located towards the exit faces so as to prevent in particular the passage of light between the main guides
Implementation Method 2
each main guide comprises, in relation to the proximal entry area, at least one light-reflecting face towards the exit face, each light-reflecting face being at least partially inclined with respect to the corresponding medial face
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3B
Figure 3C~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting and/or signalling device (5) for a vehicle, comprising two flat and mutually parallel light guides (8, 9), the light guides being positioned on either side of a support plate (7) such that each light guide comprises an inlet zone for the light opposite one or more light sources (14, 15, 17) present on the plate. An opaque spacer screen (24) is interposed between the light guides (8, 9) in such a way as to prevent the passage of light between the two guides.