Vehicle Lighting Assembly Using Light Pipes for Complex Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle lighting systems require multiple light sources to achieve complex designs, leading to increased maintenance needs and styling constraints due to the increased number of light sources, with a higher likelihood of failures and limited styling options.
Innovation Solution
The use of light pipes with a single light source at one end to illuminate an area, minimizing the need for numerous light sources while offering various styling options, and incorporating reflectors and prisms to efficiently direct light through the light pipes, which are housed in a moveable light housing assembly with separate sections for taillights and turn signal lights.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to provide complex lighting designs, then styling options and illumination coverage are improved, but the likelihood of light source failure and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources are merged into a single light pipe that distributes light throughout the housing assembly, eliminating the need for multiple separate bulbs while maintaining complex lighting patterns through the light pipe's internal structure and optical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light guide, a structural component, and a styling element, while a single light source provides illumination for multiple lighting functions (tail lights, brake lights, turn signals) through different sections of the housing assembly
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to achieve complex lighting designs, then illumination coverage is improved, but the number of components and package area increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources are merged into a single light pipe that distributes light throughout the housing assembly, eliminating the need for multiple separate bulbs while maintaining complex lighting patterns through the light pipe's internal structure and optical elements
Solution Approach 2:
The light pipe acts as an intermediary between a single light source and multiple lighting functions, distributing and directing light to various sections of the housing assembly to achieve complex lighting designs without requiring multiple light sources
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to provide comprehensive lighting functions, then lighting coverage is improved, but styling options are constrained by package area
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting design transitions from a two-dimensional arrangement of multiple light sources on a plane to a three-dimensional light distribution system using the light pipe's internal volume and optical paths, allowing comprehensive lighting coverage within a compact package area
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 reduces the number of light sources needed, decreases maintenance requirements, and enhances styling flexibility by using light pipes with reflectors and prisms to efficiently distribute light, ensuring consistent illumination and aesthetic variety.
Implementation Method 1
Light pipes are generally well known in the art and operate by transmitting light via total internal reflection
Implementation Method 2
incorporating reflectors and prisms to efficiently direct light through the light pipes
Implementation Method 3
incorporating reflectors and prisms to efficiently direct light through the light pipes
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lighting assembly includes a light housing having a first part and a separate second part. A first light assembly provided in the first part includes a first lens having a first light pipe, a separate second lens having a second light pipe, first and second light sources for illuminating the first and second lens, a first reflector adjacent the first lens, and a second reflector adjacent the second lens. A second light assembly provided in the second part includes a third lens having a third light pipe, a separate fourth lens having a fourth light pipe, a third light source for illuminating the third and fourth lens, a third reflector adjacent the third lens and defining a first channel receiving a portion of the third lens, and a fourth reflector adjacent the fourth lens and defining a second channel receiving a portion of the fourth lens.