Adjustable Vehicle Cladding with Integrated Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle courtesy lighting systems, particularly those in side mirrors and doors, fail to uniformly illuminate the area around the vehicle regardless of door position, leading to potential obstacles being overlooked, and are prone to damage and soiling, which reduces their effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A trim component with a wall, through-openings, and an adjustable lighting device that can be moved between open and closed positions to control light emission, with light guides and decoupling sections that are protected from external influences, allowing for uniform illumination when the vehicle is stationary and minimizing contamination when in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If LEDs are mounted on the side sill to illuminate the area around the vehicle, then the illuminated area is enlarged and uniform illumination is achieved, but the LEDs are exposed to damage from stone chips and other impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is nested within the fairing component's interior space, with LEDs positioned inside the wall structure. The wall with through-openings provides protective enclosure while allowing light to pass through when needed, effectively nesting the vulnerable LED components within a protective structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall with through-openings acts as an intermediary structure between the internal LED light source and the external environment. This intermediary element allows light transmission while providing mechanical protection, mediating between the need for illumination and the need for component protection.
2Area of stationary object
If LEDs protrude from the side panels to provide illumination, then the illuminated area is increased, but the LEDs become dirty quickly during vehicle operation
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is nested within the fairing component's interior space, with LEDs positioned inside the wall structure. This nesting arrangement protects the LEDs from direct exposure to dust and moisture while still enabling light transmission through the through-openings when required.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall with through-openings serves as an intermediary barrier that filters environmental contaminants while allowing light passage. This intermediary structure protects the LEDs from direct contact with dirt and moisture during vehicle operation.
3Illumination intensity
If the lighting device is positioned to illuminate the area around the vehicle, then effective illumination is achieved, but the lighting device is exposed to damage and soiling
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is nested within the fairing component's interior space, positioned inside the wall structure with access to through-openings. This nesting provides protective enclosure while maintaining illumination effectiveness through strategic positioning of the light source relative to the openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The wall structure with through-openings acts as an intermediary protective barrier, allowing the lighting device to maintain effective illumination while being shielded from environmental hazards during vehicle operation.
4Area of stationary object
If approach lighting is mounted in side mirrors and door handles, then the immediate area around the vehicle is illuminated, but the illuminated area depends on door position
Solution Approach 1:
The fairing component integrates multiple functions: it provides structural cladding, contains protective enclosure for the lighting device, and enables consistent illumination through its through-openings. This multi-functional design ensures uniform illumination regardless of door position, as the lighting device remains in a fixed position relative to the vehicle body.
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 provides consistent and effective illumination around the vehicle, reducing the risk of obstacles being missed and minimizing damage and soiling of the lighting system, ensuring reliable and clear visibility of the surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
mitigate worsening-parameter harm
Implementation Method 2
light guides and decoupling sections that are protected from external influences, allowing for uniform illumination
Data Source
Figure 1a~2b
Figure 3a~4c
Figure 5a~6c
AI summary
The present invention relates to a body panel for a vehicle, comprising a wall (12) that defines an interior space (14) of the body panel (10), one or more through-openings (18) that penetrate the wall (12), a lighting device (20) arranged in the interior space of the body panel (10) which is connectable to a light source, and an adjustment device (34) with which the lighting device (20) can be adjusted between an open position, in which light emitted by the lighting device (20) can pass through the through-openings (18), and a closed position, in which the light emitted by the lighting device (20) cannot pass through the through-openings (18). The invention also relates to a lighting device (20) and a vehicle with such a body panel (10) and/or such a lighting device (20).