Vehicle Lighting Module Optic Device Stray Light Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular mirror lighting modules face challenges in directing light emissions effectively, as a significant portion of the light is emitted as stray light, which can be distracting to other vehicles and is not directed towards the intended operator or passenger, leading to reduced visibility and safety concerns.
Innovation Solution
The proposed lighting module incorporates an optic device with a receiving surface, a first internal reflective surface, an intermediate surface, a light extraction surface, and a light steering surface, along with a light trap, to direct a primary portion of the light emission towards the passenger compartment while capturing stray light and preventing it from escaping, thereby enhancing visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light is emitted from the light source in the forward operating direction, then the light can illuminate the road ahead, but a significant portion of the light is emitted as stray light which is distracting to other vehicles and not directed towards the intended operator or passenger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the harmful stray light from the system by introducing a light trap structure that captures and absorbs light rays that would otherwise escape and distract other drivers. The light trap is positioned to receive stray light at specific angles and contains it through reflective surfaces, preventing it from reaching other vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The optic device incorporates different surface properties in different regions: the light extraction surface has specific optical properties to direct light toward the passenger compartment, while the light trap region has reflective and absorptive properties to capture stray light. This local differentiation of optical qualities allows simultaneous achievement of useful light direction and stray light elimination.
2Illumination intensity
If the optic device directs light along a primary path toward the passenger compartment, then visibility for the operator is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple surfaces and light trapping structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple optical functions into a single integrated optic device structure. The light extraction surface, light steering surface, and light trap are all part of one monolithic optical component rather than separate elements. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the sophisticated light control functions needed to direct light to the passenger compartment and capture stray light.
Solution Approach 2:
The optic device performs multiple functions simultaneously: it extracts light from the LED, steers light along the primary path to the passenger compartment, redirects stray light to the light trap, and contains the stray light. This multi-functionality within a single component achieves high visibility for the operator without requiring multiple separate optical elements.
3Illumination intensity
If the light extraction surface is positioned to emit light toward the passenger compartment, then the intended visibility is improved, but some light is lost as stray light that escapes without being captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful stray light into a beneficial captured resource by designing the light trap with reflective surfaces that redirect stray light rays back into the optical path or absorb them. The stray light that would otherwise be wasted energy is instead captured and either reused or safely contained, converting an energy loss into a useful 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 solution effectively directs light towards the intended operator or passenger while minimizing stray light emission, improving visibility and safety by ensuring that the light is focused on the intended path and reducing distractions for other vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
a first internal reflective surface extending at an acute angle from the light receiving surface. The first internal reflective surface is configured to direct the input emission substantially perpendicular to the emission direction
Implementation Method 2
The light steering surface is configured to reflect stray light through the body beyond the primary light extraction surface and toward a light trap
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting module for a vehicle is disclosed. The lighting module comprises a light source configured to generate a light emission in an emission direction substantially along a forward operating direction of the vehicle. A circuit is in connection with the light source. The lighting module further comprises an optic device comprising a body forming a receiving surface. The receiving surface is configured to receive an input emission of the light emission. The optic device is configured to transmit the input emission through the body, emit a first portion of the input emission along a primary path directed toward a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and emit a second portion of the input emission along a stray light path into a light trap formed by the body and arranged substantially opposite the light extraction surface.