Vehicle Lighting Apparatus With Segmented Luminous Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting devices require a large installation space and increased manufacturing costs to achieve different emission characteristics, as they need additional two-dimensional luminous elements for varied light functions.
Innovation Solution
A two-dimensional luminous element with segmenters divides the light-decoupling flat side into luminous segments with different emission characteristics, using dispersing optical elements and deflectors to create distinct light sections that appear as separate planar light sources, allowing for homogeneous light emission over a wide area without increasing the device's size or cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional two-dimensional luminous elements are added to provide different emission characteristics, then the light function versatility is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light-decoupling flat side is divided into multiple luminous segments using segmenters, where each segment can have different dispersing optical elements to provide different emission characteristics. This segmentation allows a single two-dimensional luminous element to fulfill multiple light functions that previously required multiple separate elements, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
Different dispersing optical elements are assigned to different luminous segments within the same two-dimensional luminous element. This local differentiation enables each segment to have tailored emission characteristics (such as different beam patterns or color temperatures) while sharing the same basic structure and manufacturing process, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing manufacturing complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If additional two-dimensional luminous elements are added to provide different emission characteristics, then the light function versatility is improved, but the installation space increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple luminous segments with different emission characteristics are merged into a single two-dimensional luminous element. The segmenters create optical separation between segments while the physical structure remains unified, allowing multiple light functions to be integrated in one component. This merging dramatically reduces the installation space required compared to using separate luminous elements for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the lateral dimension of the light-decoupling flat side to accommodate multiple luminous segments side-by-side. By arranging different emission characteristics in the lateral direction rather than requiring separate three-dimensional elements, the design achieves functional diversity within a compact planar footprint, optimizing installation space.
3Adaptability or versatility
If segmenters are added to divide the light-decoupling flat side into luminous segments, then the light emission characteristics are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The segmenters are extracted as separate, simple structural elements that can be independently designed and positioned. Rather than creating complex integrated structures, the patent uses discrete segmenters (such as reflective barriers or optical separators) that can be added to the light-decoupling flat side without fundamentally complicating the base two-dimensional luminous element design, thus managing device complexity while achieving functional differentiation.
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 enables space-saving and cost-effective emission of light with different characteristics, ensuring homogeneous illumination and independent light source arrangement, while maintaining a smooth front design and using a diffusely reflecting rear component to enhance efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a deflector for deflecting the light coupled in at the light-coupling narrow side in the direction of the light-decoupling flat side
Implementation Method 2
uniformly shaped dispersing optical elements are assigned to each of the luminous sections, so that light having different emission characteristics is emitted
Implementation Method 3
The separating web acts as an optical partition line, since it already effectuates a refraction of the light, due to its shaping
Implementation Method 4
The separating web is covered by a rear component made from a diffused reflecting material, so that it is not detectable from either a front side or a rear side of the two-dimensional luminous element
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for vehicles, including a light source and including a two-dimensional luminous element, which has a light-coupling narrow side, a light-decoupling flat side and a deflector for deflecting the light coupled in at the light-coupling narrow side in the direction of the light-decoupling flat side, the two-dimensional luminous element including segmenter, with the aid of which the light-decoupling flat side is divided into luminous segments having different emission characteristics.