Vehicle Lighting Unit Light Guide Lens Reflection Surface
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive headlamps with semiconductor light emitting elements and light guide lenses suffer from reduced light utilization efficiency as part of the emitted light is reflected by the light incident surface but does not enter the lens, resulting in wasted light.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lighting unit design that incorporates a reflection surface below the semiconductor light emitting element to redirect the reflected light, allowing it to enter the light guide lens and form an over-head sign light distribution pattern, thereby enhancing light utilization efficiency without the need for a dedicated reflection surface, utilizing high reflectance members like white resin for this purpose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a light guide lens with a light incident surface surrounding the semiconductor light emitting element is used, then light emission efficiency is improved, but light utilization efficiency deteriorates because part of the light is reflected by the light incident surface and wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful reflected light into a beneficial component by introducing a reflection surface that redirects this previously wasted light to form an over-head sign light distribution pattern. The reflection surface captures light reflected from the light incident surface and redirects it upward at a predetermined angle, transforming energy loss into a useful lighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves multi-functionality by enabling the light guide lens system to serve dual purposes: the light incident surface continues to guide light for the primary low beam pattern, while the reflection surface utilizes the same reflected light to create an over-head sign pattern. This allows a single light emitting element to produce multiple light distribution patterns simultaneously.
2Loss of energy
If a dedicated reflection surface is added to utilize wasted light, then light utilization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflection surface function with the existing light guide lens structure. The reflection surface is integrated into the lens assembly, combining the light guiding function of the light incident surface with the light redirecting function of the reflection surface within a unified structural framework, thereby minimizing additional complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide lens system is designed to perform multiple functions: the light incident surface guides light for the low beam pattern, while the reflection surface utilizes the same reflected light to create an over-head sign pattern. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each lighting function.
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 design effectively utilizes previously wasted light to form an over-head sign light distribution pattern, improving light utilization efficiency and reducing production costs by integrating the reflection surface with existing components.
Implementation Method 1
The front surface 212 can reflect, toward the rear surface 214, the light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element 220 and entering the light guide lens 210 through the light incident surface 218 while the front surface 212 can receive the light reflected by the rear surface 214 to allow the light to pass therethrough
Implementation Method 2
The light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element 220 can enter the light guide lens 210 through the light incident surface 218, be reflected by the front surface 212 and the rear surface 214, and then be projected through the front surface 212 forward
Implementation Method 3
The vehicle lighting unit can further include a reflection surface for forming an over-head sign light distribution pattern, disposed below the semiconductor light emitting element
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lighting unit is capable of enhancing the light utilization efficiency by effectively utilizing the part of light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element that typically does not enter the light guide lens while being reflected by the light incident surface of the lens. The vehicle lighting unit can include a light guide lens a first surface configured to be disposed on a front side of a vehicle body, a second surface configured to be disposed on a rear side thereof and a recessed portion including a third surface; and a light emitting element disposed substantially at a reference point of the light guide lens. The second surface can include a reflection area extending from the recessed portion. The third surface can surround the semiconductor light emitting element, so that the light emitted from the semiconductor light emitting element can be incident on the third surface.