Vehicle Optical Device With Reflective Cavity For OLED Luminance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle optical devices using organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) face design constraints due to the need for flat surfaces and insufficient luminance for signaling functions, as well as issues with glare and orientation limitations.

Innovation Solution

An optical device incorporating a high-directivity OLED with a reflective optical system that deflects and spreads light rays, allowing for flexible positioning and increased luminance, while minimizing glare and accommodating various design requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If organic light-emitting diodes are used with protective glass slides, then the light source is protected from water and oxygen, but the possible shapes are severely limited to flat surfaces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection from water and oxygenVSAvoidsurface shape flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces rigid glass slides with a flexible reflective optical system consisting of a reflective layer deposited on a flexible substrate. This allows the light-emitting surface to adopt curved and uneven shapes while maintaining protection and optical functionality, directly resolving the shape limitation imposed by traditional glass slides

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Shape

If organic light-emitting diodes are deposited on flexible substrates to achieve curved surfaces, then design flexibility is improved, but the luminance performance becomes very low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurved surface capabilityVSAvoidluminance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflective optical system with a reflective layer and substrate that creates a cavity structure behind the light-emitting surface. This adds a dimensional element (the cavity space) that enables optical resonance and light trapping effects, significantly enhancing luminance output while maintaining flexible substrate geometry

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite structure combining the organic light-emitting diode layer with a reflective optical system consisting of a reflective layer on a flexible substrate. This composite architecture synergistically combines the flexibility of the substrate with the optical enhancement of the reflective cavity, achieving both curved surface capability and high luminance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If a reflective optical system is added to deflect light rays, then orientation constraints are overcome and light distribution is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidoptical system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reflective optical system directly with the light source assembly, where the reflective layer is deposited on the flexible substrate that forms part of the device structure. This integration combines multiple functions (light reflection, structural support, and shape definition) into a single unified component, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining positioning flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 a compact, high-luminance optical device that can perform multiple functions like signaling and road lighting without orientation constraints, with reduced glare and improved light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a reflecting optical system deflecting the light rays emitted by the first surface light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2536972B1Optical device for a motor vehicle including a surface light source
Publication Date: 2016.07.13 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP2536972B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2536972B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2536972B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical device (1) for a motor vehicle, including a first surface light source (2) emitting light rays (7), characterized in that said device includes a reflective optical system (4) diverting the light rays emitted by the first surface light source.