Vehicle Lighting Optics for Homogeneous Narrow Exit Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices using OLED technology face challenges in achieving efficient and homogeneous lighting on narrow exit surfaces due to complex production costs and automotive durability requirements, while alternatives with LED technology struggle with inefficient lighting when the optical path is shortened.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device design utilizing light-emitting diodes, a collecting and/or focusing lens (such as Fresnel or TIR lenses), and microstructured optical components like BEF and DTF films to efficiently light a narrow exit surface, eliminating the need for an optical waveguide, thereby reducing weight and installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If OLED technology is used to achieve homogenous lighting surfaces, then the lighting appearance is improved, but the production cost increases and durability requirements are harder to satisfy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a copy of the OLED lighting effect using LED technology combined with optical waveguides and microstructured optical panels. This copy achieves the same homogenous lighting appearance without the high cost and durability issues of actual OLEDs, resolving the contradiction between lighting appearance and manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of the light source from OLED to LED, and introduces optical waveguides with specific refractive indices and microstructured optical panels with precise geometric parameters to achieve the desired homogenous lighting effect. This parameter transformation enables cost-effective production while maintaining the lighting appearance
2Illumination intensity
If optical waveguide with microstructured optical panels is used to achieve homogenous lighting, then the lighting performance is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical waveguide and microstructured optical panels into an integrated lighting module. This combination reduces the number of separate components and simplifies assembly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining high lighting performance
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the LED sources, distributes it uniformly across the exit surface, and works in conjunction with the microstructured optical panels to achieve homogenous lighting. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components
3Adaptability or versatility
If flat light modules are integrated to create narrow exit surfaces, then the design flexibility is improved, but the lighting efficiency decreases when optical path is shortened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces optical waveguides that extend light propagation into the depth dimension, allowing light to travel through the thickness of the module rather than only across the narrow exit surface. This dimensional transformation maintains lighting efficiency even when the exit surface is narrowed for design purposes
Solution Approach 2:
The optical waveguide acts as an intermediary between the light sources and the exit surface, efficiently transmitting and distributing light over extended paths. This intermediary structure enables the system to maintain high lighting efficiency despite the shortened optical path required for narrow exit surfaces
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 achieves efficient and homogeneous lighting on narrow surfaces with reduced weight and space requirements, enhancing brightness and homogeneity through structured lenses and optical components, suitable for various automotive lighting functions.
Implementation Method 1
a collecting and/or focusing lens (such as Fresnel or TIR lenses)
Implementation Method 2
collecting and/or focusing lens (such as Fresnel or TIR lenses)
Implementation Method 3
microstructured optical components like BEF and DTF films to efficiently light a narrow exit surface
Implementation Method 4
microstructured optical components like BEF and DTF films
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle is provided with numerous light sources, at least one optical component in the form of a microstructured film and/or microstructured optical panel, and a collecting and/or focusing lens. The lighting device is configured such that the light from the light sources passes through the collecting and/or focusing lens before passing through the at least one optical component.