Vehicular Lamp Light Guide for Multi-Function Integration

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicular lamps with organic EL panels require separate configurations to achieve multiple lamp functions, such as tail and stop lamps, which increases complexity and cost.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular lamp design incorporating a surface-emitting light source and a transparent member with a light guide portion that internally reflects light from the source to multiple exit surfaces, allowing for the realization of multiple lamp functions without additional exit configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a separate configuration is added to realize another lamp function, then the lamp function versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelamp function versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent member is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a holding member to support the surface emitting light source, a light guide portion to guide light from the light incident surface to the light exit surface, and provides additional light exit surfaces for realizing multiple lamp functions (tail lamp, stop lamp, etc.). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate configurations for different lamp functions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a separate configuration is added to realize another lamp function, then the lamp function versatility is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelamp function versatilityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent member is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a holding member to support the surface emitting light source, a light guide portion to guide light from the light incident surface to the light exit surface, and provides additional light exit surfaces for realizing multiple lamp functions (tail lamp, stop lamp, etc.). This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate configurations for different lamp functions, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If multiple lamp functions are realized without separate configurations, then the device complexity is reduced, but the light distribution effectiveness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidlight distribution effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The transparent member is designed with different regions having different optical properties: a light incident surface for light entry, a light guide portion with specific refractive index and geometry to guide light, and a light exit surface with specific shape and position to achieve desired light distribution. The light guide portion may include reflecting surfaces to control light direction. This localized optimization of optical properties ensures effective light distribution for multiple lamp functions while maintaining a unified structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Enables the simultaneous realization of multiple lamp functions, such as tail and stop lamps, by using the transparent member as both a holding and light guiding component, reducing complexity and cost while maintaining effective light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide portion for guiding the light entering from the light incident surface to the light exit surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight guide: Waveguide (optics)

Implementation Method 2

a first reflecting surface that internally reflects the light from the light source, which has entered from the light incident surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInternal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10208926B2Vehicular lamp

Publication Date: 2019.02.19 STANLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD

AI summary

A vehicular lamp including: a surface emitting light source including a front surface that includes a light-emitting surface, and a rear surface on the side opposite thereto; a transparent member including a light incident surface, a light exit surface from which light entering from the light incident surface exits, a light guide portion for guiding the light entering from the light incident surface to the light exit surface, and a holding portion for holding the surface emitting light source; and a light source that emits light which enters from the light incident surface, is guided to the light exit surface by the light guide portion, and exits from the light exit surface.