Vehicle Window Light Guide for Offset Light Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle windows struggle to optimize the coupling of light emitted by the lighting unit into the light input unit, leading to inefficiencies and potential losses in the illumination of the vehicle window's surface.
Innovation Solution
The vehicle window incorporates a light input unit with a light input element and a light-conducting means that transfers light from a first light-conducting zone to a second zone offset relative to the first, allowing for efficient coupling of light into the light-conducting layer without significant loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the lighting unit is positioned at a geometry-related offset relative to the light input unit, then the coupling of light into the light-conducting layer is optimized, but the structural complexity increases due to the need for light-conducting means to bridge the offset zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light-conducting means as an intermediary element between the lighting unit and the light input unit. This mediator component bridges the geometric offset by conducting light from the first light-conducting zone (at the lighting unit position) to the second light-conducting zone (at the light input unit position), thereby optimizing light coupling efficiency while managing the structural complexity through a dedicated light-guiding component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent resolves the geometric offset issue by extending the light-conducting means in the direction perpendicular to the window body arrangement (offset at right angles to the plane). This dimensional approach allows light to be transferred from a first plane to a second plane, effectively bridging the offset between lighting unit and light input unit without compromising coupling efficiency.
2Device complexity
If light is coupled directly from the lighting unit to the light input unit without light-conducting means, then the structure remains simple, but significant light loss occurs due to geometric misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The light-conducting means serves as a necessary intermediary that prevents significant light loss by guiding light from the lighting unit through the geometric offset to the light input unit. Without this intermediary, direct coupling would result in substantial light loss due to misalignment, making the mediator essential for maintaining light coupling efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
By introducing the light-conducting means that extends in the offset direction (perpendicular to the window plane), the patent enables light to traverse the geometric misalignment in three-dimensional space. This dimensional extension allows light to reach the light input unit effectively despite the offset positioning, preventing light loss that would occur with direct planar coupling.
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 enables optimized light coupling into the vehicle window's light-conducting layer, providing efficient illumination with minimal loss, and compensates for geometric offsets between the lighting unit and the light input unit.
Implementation Method 1
a light-conducting means, which is disposed on a coupling side of the at least one light input element and which conducts light emitted by the lighting unit from a first light-conducting zone, which corresponds to a position of the lighting unit, to a second light-conducting zone, which is offset relative to the first light-conducting zone in the direction of the window body arrangement
Implementation Method 2
at least one light input unit having at least one light input element, which is disposed on the inner face of the window body arrangement and which couples light, which is emitted by the lighting unit, via a coupling surface opposite the inner face of the window body arrangement into the light-conducting layer
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle window arrangement has an outer face facing a vehicle environment and an inner face facing a vehicle interior and being parallel to the outer face. A light-conducting layer forms the inner face. The vehicle window has a lighting unit and at least one light input unit having at least one light input element is disposed on the inner face which couples light emitted by the lighting unit, via a coupling surface opposite the inner face into the light-conducting layer. The light input unit is provided with at least one light-conductor on a coupling side of the at least one light input element which conducts light emitted by the lighting unit from a first light-conducting zone, which corresponds to a position of the lighting unit, to a second light-conducting zone, which is offset relative to the first light-conducting zone in the direction of the window body arrangement.