Vehicle Luminous Module Secondary Light Guide Parasitic Ray Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle light modules suffer from parasitic light rays that degrade the quality of the beam, causing light overintensities and spots outside the main beam, which can lead to reduced visibility and dazzling of oncoming drivers.

Innovation Solution

A light module design incorporating secondary light guides that deflect and spread parasitic light rays, preventing them from reaching the projection field and reducing their intensity, thereby improving beam quality and reducing the risk of dazzling.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the light sources are positioned opposite the entrance edges of the light guides, then the beam coverage is improved, but stray light rays are generated that degrade beam quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam coverage areaVSAvoidstray light rays
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and isolates the harmful stray light rays from the main beam path by introducing dedicated light guides (third and fourth light guides) that specifically capture and redirect parasitic rays away from the projection optics assembly, thereby removing the harmful effect while preserving the beneficial beam coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary light guides (third and fourth light guides) that act as mediators between the light sources and the projection optics. These intermediary guides capture stray rays that would otherwise contaminate the main beam and redirect them to safe paths, thus protecting the beam quality without compromising coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If the projection assembly images the light guides output in a projection field, then the beam precision is improved, but stray rays form visible bright spots that reduce beam quality

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam precisionVSAvoidbright spots from stray rays
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts stray rays from the imaging path by directing them into separate light guides (third and fourth light guides) that do not feed into the projection optics assembly, thereby removing the source of bright spots while maintaining the precision imaging of the main beam through the first and second light guides

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the light guide system into multiple functional groups: first and second light guides for main beam transmission to the projection assembly, and third and fourth light guides for stray ray capture and redirection. This segmentation allows independent optimization of beam precision and stray light control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively minimizes parasitic light rays, enhancing the quality and precision of the light beam, providing better visibility for drivers while reducing the risk of dazzling from stray light.

Implementation Method 1

a secondary light guide separate from the primary light guides and arranged to deflect light rays from the light source so as not to reach the output member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

arranged to deflect light rays from the light source so as not to reach the output member, and/or to spread said light rays in said projection field

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a projection assembly comprising a focal zone and an output member, said projection assembly being arranged so that the light rays passing through said focal zone and reaching the output member are imaged in a projection field downstream of said projection assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight focusing: Focusing

Data Source

PatentEP3870893B1Luminous module for vehicle lighting device
Publication Date: 2022.12.14 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3870893B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3870893B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3870893B1 patent drawingFigure 5~5B

AI summary

The present invention relates to a luminous vehicle module (1) intended to generate a light beam along an optical axis (I), comprising: - primary light guides (2) each comprising an entrance dioptric interface and an exit dioptric interface; - a light source (9) arranged facing an entrance dioptric interface; - a projecting assembly (4) comprising a focal zone and an exit member (61), said projecting assembly (4) being arranged so that the light rays that pass through said focal zone and reach the exit member (61) are imaged in a projection field downstream of said projecting assembly; - the exits of the guides being arranged in the focal zone. According to the invention, the luminous module (1) comprises at least one secondary light guide (3) that is separate from the primary light guides (2) and arranged so as to deviate light rays generated by the light source (9) so that they do not reach the exit member (61) and/or so as to spread said light rays in said projection field.