Vehicle Lighting Unit Reflector Utilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle lighting units with directional light emitting diodes (LEDs) often underutilize the reflector surface due to the LED's focal point placement, leading to inefficient light distribution and aesthetic limitations, as the reflector's left portion is not effectively utilized when divided by the optical axis.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle lighting unit configures the light emitting element to be disposed in front of the reflecting surface, allowing the reflecting plate to divide the space into two regions, enabling light to be reflected by both portions of the reflector, enhancing light distribution and aesthetic appeal by creating a two-lamp system appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a directional light emitting diode is disposed at the focal point of a parabolic reflector, then the light emission directionality is improved, but the reflector surface utilization is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single reflector into two separate reflectors (first reflector and second reflector) positioned at different locations. The first reflector receives light from the first LED and the second reflector receives light from the second LED, allowing both reflectors to be fully utilized without the underutilization problem of a single reflector when a single directional LED is used at its focal point.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple LED-reflector pairs (first LED with first reflector, second LED with second reflector) into a single lighting unit. This merging allows the system to achieve full reflector surface utilization while maintaining directional light emission, resolving the contradiction between directionality and surface utilization.
2Device complexity
If a single light emitting diode is employed with a parabolic reflector, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light distribution efficiency is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting system into multiple independent LED-reflector units, each optimized for efficient light distribution. This segmentation allows each component to work at optimal efficiency while the overall system complexity remains manageable through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the lighting unit with multiple LED-reflector pairs that can serve different lighting functions (e.g., low beam and high beam). This multi-functionality approach improves overall light distribution efficiency by utilizing each reflector fully while maintaining a relatively simple device structure through shared housing and mounting mechanisms.
3Illumination intensity
If the light emitting element is disposed at the focal point of the reflector, then the light concentration is improved, but the aesthetic appearance is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses multiple separated LED-reflector units instead of a single centralized focal point arrangement. This segmentation allows each unit to maintain proper light concentration at its own focal point while the overall distributed arrangement creates a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance within the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-point focal arrangement to a distributed multi-point arrangement in three-dimensional space. This dimensional change allows light concentration to be maintained at each focal point while the overall spatial distribution improves aesthetic appearance by avoiding a single dominant focal point.
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
This configuration effectively utilizes the entire reflector surface, providing improved light distribution and an enhanced aesthetic appearance by allowing light to be reflected from both regions, meeting various light distribution standards for low and high beams.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting diode can emit light with directionality. In other words, the optical axis of such a light emitting diode is directed in a direction in which the light emitting diode is disposed (directed). The light is radially emitted with the optical axis direction as a center, but no light is emitted in the opposite direction.
Implementation Method 2
a reflecting plate extending along the optical axis in front of the light emitting element and having a reflecting surface that is directed toward the light emitting element
Data Source
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AI summary
A vehicle lighting unit (1) can effectively utilize both the portions (62, 63) of the reflector (60) divided by the plane passing through the optical axis (Ax) even when a light emitting element (20) with directionalilty like an LED is employed as well as can be provided with an enhanced aesthetic feature. The vehicle lighting unit (1) can include a reflector (60) having, as a front surface, a concave reflecting surface (61) formed on the basis of a revolved parabolic surface with respect to an optical axis (Ax) serving as a rotational symmetric axis; a reflecting plate (40) disposed along the optical axis (Ax) in front of the reflecting surface (61) and having a rear edge (41) disposed at or near the focal point (F) of the reflecting surface (61) so as to vertically divide a space in front of the reflecting surface (61) into two regions (SP1, SP2); a light emitting element (20) disposed in the upper region (SP1) than the reflecting plate (40) and in front of the focal point (F), directed to the focal point (F); and a condenser lens (30) disposed between the light emitting element (20) and the focal point (F), configured to collect light emitted from the light emitting element (20) to a position at or near the focal point (F).