Vehicle Lighting Assembly with Phosphor Layer and Reflective Structure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle side markers often fail to provide sufficient illumination when the vehicle is parked and not in operation, especially in dimly lit areas, as their light sources are turned off due to insufficient battery power, making it difficult for other drivers to locate the stranded vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lighting assembly incorporating a phosphor layer and a reflective layer, where the phosphor layer is charged by a light source or external light, and the reflective layer, separate from the lens, ensures that light is reflected through the lens with geometric features, providing continuous illumination even when the vehicle is parked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the light source is turned off to conserve battery power when the vehicle is parked, then energy consumption is reduced, but visibility of the vehicle is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is activated before the vehicle is parked to charge the phosphor layer in advance. This preliminary action stores energy in the phosphor material, enabling it to emit light and provide vehicle visibility during the parked period without requiring continuous power consumption from the battery.
Solution Approach 2:
The phosphor layer serves as an energy storage medium that automatically emits light after being charged by the light source. This self-service mechanism provides continuous visibility during the parked period without requiring active control or additional energy input from the battery, effectively making the system self-sustaining during idle periods.
2Illumination intensity
If the light source is activated periodically to charge the phosphor layer, then vehicle visibility is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is activated periodically rather than continuously to charge the phosphor layer. This periodic activation strategy provides sufficient illumination to charge the phosphor material while minimizing overall energy consumption, striking a balance between visibility enhancement and battery power conservation during the vehicle's operation cycle.
3Illumination intensity
If a reflective layer is added between the phosphor layer and light source, then light utilization is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and phosphor layer. This reflective layer redirects light that would otherwise be lost back toward the phosphor material, improving charging efficiency and light output. The added complexity is minimal, consisting of a single reflective surface that significantly enhances overall system performance.
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 provides enhanced visibility of the vehicle to approaching drivers, reducing the risk of collisions and extending the duration of illumination without significant battery drain, as the light source can be activated periodically to charge the phosphor layer, ensuring the vehicle remains visible during low-light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
A light source can be activated to charge the phosphor layer. The phosphor layer, when charged, emanates light.
Implementation Method 2
a reflective layer that is separate from the lens and is disposed between the phosphor layer and the light source
Implementation Method 3
a lens including geometric features that reflect light
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary vehicle lighting assembly includes, among other things, a lens, a light source, a phosphor layer, and a reflective layer that is separate from the lens and is disposed between the phosphor layer and the light source. An exemplary vehicle lighting method includes, among other things, activating a light source to charge a phosphor layer, and reflecting light from the phosphor layer through a lens using a reflective layer between the phosphor layer and the light source. The reflective layer is separate from the lens. The lens includes geometric features that reflect light.