Vehicle Air Diffuser Lighting with Reflective Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air diffusers for motor vehicles often have lighting systems that emit direct light into the passenger compartment, which can be unpleasant, and require complex light guides with specific geometries and high emission intensity to achieve adequate illumination.
Innovation Solution
The air diffuser incorporates a reflective surface and a translucent or transparent perimeter wall with light-diffusing material, utilizing optical coupling particles and multiple reflective surfaces to redirect light homogeneously towards the passenger compartment, reducing the inner cavity height and total volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light guide is used to illuminate the passenger compartment directly, then the lighting is perceptible to occupants, but the direct light causes unpleasant visual effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective surface as an intermediary element between the light guide and the passenger compartment. The light guide illuminates the reflective surface, which then redirects the light indirectly into the passenger compartment, eliminating direct light exposure while maintaining lighting perceptibility
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective surface is positioned at a specific location (opposite to the outlet direction) and has specific optical properties (reflective) to achieve localized light redirection. This creates a differentiated lighting quality where indirect illumination is provided in the passenger compartment area without direct light exposure
2Illumination intensity
If a light guide with specific geometry and high emission intensity is used, then the lighting is effective and perceptible, but the light guide becomes complex and difficult to manufacture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the geometric complexity from the light guide by introducing a separate reflective surface. The light guide can use a simpler, more standard geometry, while the reflective surface handles the light redirection function, dividing the system into simpler, more manufacturable components
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into distinct functional components: the light guide (for light generation and initial direction) and the reflective surface (for light redirection). This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall system complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If the light guide outlet is positioned far from the air diffuser outlet, then the structural coupling is simplified, but the light emission intensity must be very high to remain perceptible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the disadvantage of distance (which would require high intensity) into an advantage by using the reflective surface. The reflective surface captures and redirects light efficiently, allowing the light source to operate at lower intensity while still achieving perceptible illumination in the passenger compartment
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 enhances light diffusion and homogeneity, providing a more pleasant and efficient indirect lighting experience for vehicle occupants while reducing the complexity and volume of the lighting system.
Implementation Method 1
the reflective surface, which is at least one, is configured and arranged to reflect the light emitted by the light guide, redirecting it at least towards the portion of the casing and/or adjacent region to be illuminated
Implementation Method 2
the light guide also acts as a light diffuser, guiding and diffusing the light according to rays of light directed directly towards the inside of the duct making up the casing
Data Source
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AI summary
Air diffuser for motor vehicles, comprising a casing (C) which defines a passageway for an air flow towards an outlet opening (A), wherein the casing (C) comprises a perimeter frame (M) which delimits the outlet opening (A) and which comprises a first perimeter wall (T), and lighting means which comprise a light guide (G), at least one reflective surface spaced from the first perimeter wall (T) and which defines an inner cavity therewith, wherein t he light guide (G) is housed inside the inner cavity, and the reflective surface is configured and arranged to reflect the light emitted by the light guide (G), redirecting it towards a portion of the casing (C) and/or an adjacent region to it, to be illuminated.