Micromachined edge illuminated optically transparent automotive light guide panels

Rahima Afrose Ronny; George K. Knopf; Evgueni Bordatchev; Mohammed Tauhiduzzaman; Suwas Nikumb

doi:10.1117/12.908202

6 February 2012 Micromachined edge illuminated optically transparent automotive light guide panels

Rahima Afrose Ronny, George K. Knopf, Evgueni Bordatchev, Mohammed Tauhiduzzaman, Suwas Nikumb

Proceedings Volume 8248, Micromachining and Microfabrication Process Technology XVII; 824806 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.908202
Event: SPIE MOEMS-MEMS, 2012, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

Edge-lit backlighting has been used extensively for a variety of small and medium-sized liquid crystal displays (LCDs). The shape, density and spatial distribution pattern of the micro-optical elements imprinted on the surface of the flat light-guide panel (LGP) are often "optimized" to improve the overall brightness and luminance uniformity. A similar concept can be used to develop interior convenience lighting panels and exterior tail lamps for automotive applications. However, costly diffusive sheeting and brightness enhancement films are not be considered for these applications because absolute luminance uniformity and the minimization of Moiré fringe effects are not significant factors in assessing quality of automotive lighting. A new design concept that involves micromilling cylindrical micro-optical elements on optically transparent plastic substrates is described in this paper. The variable parameter that controls illumination over the active regions of the panel is the depth of the individual cylindrical micro-optical elements. LightTools™ is the optical simulation tool used to explore how changing the micro-optical element depth can alter the local and global luminance. Numerical simulation and microfabrication experiments are performed on several (100mmx100mmx6mm) polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) test samples in order to verify the illumination behavior.

Citation Download Citation

Rahima Afrose Ronny, George K. Knopf, Evgueni Bordatchev, Mohammed Tauhiduzzaman, and Suwas Nikumb "Micromachined edge illuminated optically transparent automotive light guide panels", Proc. SPIE 8248, Micromachining and Microfabrication Process Technology XVII, 824806 (6 February 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.908202

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KEYWORDS

Waveguides

Polymethylmethacrylate

Light sources and illumination

Light sources

Transmittance

Micro cutting

Light emitting diodes

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