Vehicle Lighting Device Using Optical Element to Redirect Light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle lighting devices require two light sources and light conductors to fully illuminate a region, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a single light source and a second optical element that redirects light from a curved region to illuminate the entire edge region of the light entry surface, using entry and exit optics to orient light rays parallel and orthogonal to the optical elements, allowing for complete illumination with a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If two light sources and two light conductors are used to completely illuminate the entire region, then the illumination completeness is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light conductor is divided into a first region and a curved region, with the first optical element having a first portion and a second portion. This segmentation allows different regions of the light conductor to illuminate different portions of the light entry surface, achieving complete illumination with a single light source.
Solution Approach 2:
A second optical element is introduced as an intermediary between the curved region of the light conductor and the second portion of the light entry surface. This second optical element redirects light from the curved region to illuminate the second portion of the light entry surface that would otherwise remain dark, enabling complete illumination without adding a second light source.
2Illumination intensity
If two light sources and two light conductors are used to completely illuminate the entire region, then the illumination completeness is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functions of two light sources and two light conductors into a single integrated system. One light source illuminates both the first and curved regions of the light conductor, which then collectively illuminate the entire light entry surface through the first and second optical elements, reducing component count and manufacturing cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The single light source serves multiple functions by illuminating both the first region and the curved region of the light conductor. The light conductor system is designed to distribute light from this single source to illuminate the entire light entry surface, making the system more cost-effective while maintaining complete illumination.
3Illumination intensity
If the second optical element redirects light from the curved region to the second portion of the light entry surface, then the illumination completeness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The second optical element is specifically designed to address the local illumination deficiency in the second portion of the light entry surface. It redirects light from the curved region of the light conductor to this specific area, providing localized illumination enhancement without requiring complex system-wide changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The second optical element utilizes the spatial dimension between the curved region of the light conductor and the second portion of the light entry surface. By positioning itself in this intermediate space, it redirects light paths in a way that illuminates previously dark areas without adding significant complexity to the overall device structure.
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
Enables complete illumination of the light entry surface with a single light source, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining a compact and efficient design.
Implementation Method 1
a light conductor (3), wherein the light of the light source (2) is coupled into the light conductor (3) and decoupled at a decoupling surface of the light conductor (3)
Implementation Method 2
a first optical element (4) having a light entry surface... equipped in order to redirect light, which is decoupled from the curved region of the light conductor (3)
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle, including a light source (2), a light conductor (3) having a first region (3a) and a curved region (3b), a first optical element (4) having a light entry surface, which comprises a first portion (4a) and a second portion (4b), wherein the first optical element (4) is arranged relative to the light conductor (3) in such a manner that light, which is decoupled from the first region (3a) of the light conductor (3), impinges on the first portion (4a) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4), and light, which is decoupled from the curved region (3b) of the light conductor (3), impinges on a part region of the second portion (4b) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4), wherein the lighting device (1) comprises a second optical element (5), which is arranged between the curved region (3b) of the light conductor (3) and the second portion (4b) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4) in such a manner and equipped in order to redirect light, which is decoupled from the curved region (3b) of the light conductor (3) in such a manner that the light, having passed through the second optical element (5), impinges on the entire second portion (4b) of the light entry surface of the first optical element (4).