Vehicle Lighting Device Prism Total Internal Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting devices are bulky due to the need for multiple optical components and separate parts for beam reflection and transmission, which complicates their design and increases size.
Innovation Solution
A compact lighting device design that incorporates a prism with specific surface angles and configurations to simultaneously reflect and transmit beams, eliminating the need for additional reflecting parts and reducing the overall number of optical components, thereby minimizing size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate optical components are used for beam reflection and transmission, then the lighting device can achieve required optical functions, but the device size and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate optical components (prism for reflection, transmitting part for beam transmission) into a single integrated prism structure. The prism includes a reflection surface for total internal reflection and a transmitting surface that allows beam passage, eliminating the need for separate reflecting and transmitting components while maintaining both optical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The prism is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a reflecting element through total internal reflection on its first surface, and as a transmitting element through its second surface. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate optical elements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate optical components are used, then beam control functions are achieved, but the overall device volume increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the reflection function and transmission function into a single prism component. The prism includes a first surface for total internal reflection and a second surface for beam transmission, consolidating what would traditionally require separate optical components into one integrated structure, thereby reducing the overall device volume.
3Device complexity
If a compact design is implemented with fewer components, then device size is reduced, but optical efficiency may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the geometric parameters of the prism, specifically the angles between its surfaces, to ensure that total internal reflection occurs efficiently at the first surface while maintaining effective beam transmission through the second surface. By carefully controlling these angular parameters, the design achieves both compactness and high optical efficiency without energy loss.
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 allows for a more compact lighting device with improved optical efficiency and reduced component count, enhancing the vehicle's lighting capabilities while maintaining performance.
Implementation Method 1
The incident angles of the beams incident through the second surface with respect to the third surface may be greater than a critical angle of the prism
Implementation Method 2
a reflective fluorescent body for converting the wavelengths of beams reflected by the prism, and reflecting beams to be transmitted through the prism
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A lighting device for a vehicle includes: a light source device; a prism for reflecting beams emitted from the light source device; a reflective fluorescent body for converting the wavelengths of beams reflected by the prism, and reflecting beams to be transmitted through the prism; and a main lens into which the beams transmitted through the prism are incident. The prism is located between the main lens and the reflective fluorescent body. The prism includes: a first surface facing the reflective fluorescent body; a second surface through which beams are incident; and a third surface making a predetermined acute angle with the first surface. The incident angles of the beams incident through the second surface with respect to the third surface are greater than a critical angle of the prism.