Motor Vehicle Lighting System Waveguide Lens Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting and signaling systems for vehicles require separate devices to produce different lighting functions, leading to complex designs and reduced light efficiency due to the need for complex waveguides and reflection cavities.
Innovation Solution
A lighting and signaling system that uses a waveguide with a coupling zone facing the lens, allowing for the capture and propagation of light rays without complex deflection, and featuring a rotatable lens and waveguide configuration to optimize light collection and distribution, enabling the production of multiple lighting functions without interfering with existing projector designs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate devices are used to produce different lighting functions, then each lighting function can be optimized independently, but the device complexity and overall size increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lighting functions (main beam, fog lamp, city lamp, DRL) into a single projector device using one light source that shares optical paths. The waveguide couples with the projection lens to enable multiple functions without requiring separate devices, thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining functional optimization through software-controlled light distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The projection lens and waveguide assembly is designed to perform multiple lighting functions simultaneously or alternatively. By controlling which portions of the light source couple into the waveguide versus the lens, the system provides universal functionality for main beam, fog lamp, city lamp, and DRL operations from a single multi-functional optical assembly
2Adaptability or versatility
If a waveguide is added to a projector for a secondary function, then additional lighting functions can be provided, but the design modification becomes too complex and interferes with existing functions
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary optical element that couples with the existing projection lens without requiring complex modifications to the lens itself. The waveguide receives light from the source and guides it to create additional lighting functions (like DRL or city lamp) while the projection lens continues to handle primary beam functions, thus adding versatility without excessive design complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The optical system is segmented into distinct functional paths: one path through the projection lens for main beam and fog lamp functions, and another path through the waveguide for secondary functions like DRL. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while working together in an integrated system, reducing the complexity of design modifications
3Ease of operation
If a complex reflection cavity and waveguide input are used to deflect light, then light can be directed to the waveguide, but the light collected by the waveguide remains very low
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide input face is designed with a curved surface that better matches the spherical emission pattern of the light source. This curvature optimization improves the coupling efficiency between the source and waveguide, allowing more light to enter the waveguide effectively without requiring complex reflection cavities, thus reducing energy loss while maintaining deflection capability
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 solution allows for the efficient production of multiple lighting functions, including a fog lamp and style function, with improved light collection and distribution, reducing the complexity of device design and enhancing aesthetic appeal while maintaining regulatory compliance.
Implementation Method 1
arranged to deflect the rays reaching this coupling zone into the guide so that these rays light propagate inside the guide by total internal reflection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting and/or signaling system for motor vehicles, comprising a light source (1), a lens (2) configured to directly or indirectly receive light beams from the source (1) via an input surface (21) and to emit a first output beam (5) providing a first regulatory lighting and/or signaling function via an output surface (22), and a wave guide (3) configured to directly or indirectly receive light beams from the source (1) via an input surface (31) and to emit a second output beam (6) via an output surface (33). The invention is characterized in that a coupling area of the wave guide (3) is located opposite a portion of either the input surface (21) of the lens (2) or the output surface (22) of the lens (2). The invention is preferably applicable in the field of lighting equipment for motor vehicles.