Vehicle Lighting Matrix with Widening Optic Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices with matrix-arranged light sources face issues with non-optimal lateral distances leading to light spots and inadequate homogenous light distribution, as current solutions like microstructured plates or individual optic elements are either limited in beam widening or costly to produce.
Innovation Solution
A widening optic unit featuring intersecting band reflective elements forming polygonal reflectors and lenses arranged like a matrix, which deflect light to reduce optic loss and enhance homogeneity, including triangular and rectangular reflectors for precise light distribution and cost-effective production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single common microstructured plate is used to widen partial light beams, then light distribution homogeneity is improved, but the beam widening effect is limited and cannot sufficiently eliminate light spots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single common microstructured plate into multiple individual microstructured plates, with each plate allocated to a specific light source. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized for its specific light source's characteristics and position, enabling more effective beam widening for each individual source while maintaining overall system homogeneity.
Solution Approach 2:
Each individual microstructured plate is designed with local optimizations specific to its associated light source. The microstructure parameters (such as groove depth, spacing, and pattern) can be tailored to the specific requirements of each light source position, allowing maximum beam widening effectiveness at each location rather than using a uniform design for all sources.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual optic elements with frustum or truncated pyramid contours are used for each light source, then precise light source separation is achieved, but production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex individual optic elements for each light source, the patent uses multiple copies of a standardized microstructured plate design. Each plate is a copy of the others but positioned and potentially parameter-adjusted for its specific light source. This copying approach maintains precise light source separation while dramatically reducing production costs through standardization and economies of scale.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves light source separation by adjusting parameters of the microstructured plates (such as orientation angles, microgroove patterns, or plate positions) rather than changing the fundamental geometry to complex frustum shapes. This parameter-based differentiation allows precise separation while maintaining simple, cost-effective plate structures that can be manufactured using standard processes.
3Device complexity
If matrix-arranged light sources with non-optimal lateral distances are used, then device simplicity is maintained, but light spots form and homogenous light distribution cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces individual microstructured plates as intermediary optical elements between the light sources and the light forming optic unit. These plates act as mediators that widen the partial light beams from each source, allowing the light beams to overlap more effectively and fill the gaps caused by non-optimal lateral distances. This intermediary approach maintains the simple matrix arrangement while achieving homogeneous light distribution through the beam-widening function of the microstructured plates.
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 effectively reduces light spots and achieves a more homogeneous light distribution by efficiently widening partial light beams and separating light sources, while being cost-effective and stable under temperature changes.
Implementation Method 1
an additional optic unit (1) arranged between the light forming optic unit (10) and the light sources (4) comprising a plurality of band reflector segments (6), with the band reflector segments being arranged as intersecting bands to form polygonal reflectors (5)
Implementation Method 2
lenses (8) arranged as light generating elements between the rectangular reflectors (5) and the light sources (4)
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for vehicles with a plurality of light sources arranged like a matrix in a light generation level, with a light forming optic unit arranged in front of the light sources in a primary direction of emission, and with another optic unit arranged between the light forming optic unit and the light sources, comprising a plurality of optic elements, with the optic elements being arranged like a matrix and one optic element each being allocated to a light source, with the additional optic unit being embodied as a widening optic unit with a plurality of band reflector segments arranged intersecting to form polygonal reflectors as optic elements and with a plurality of light forming elements, which are arranged like a matrix corresponding to the light sources and arranged between the light sources and the polygonal reflectors.