Animated Vehicle Lighting Panel with Alternating Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle lighting devices primarily serve illumination but fail to convey information visually, often appearing as purely technical elements that disrupt the interior's aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with alternating transparent and non-transparent elements, controlled to create a predeterminable brightness profile, allowing for information transmission through inhomogeneous luminous effects, animated movements, and variable color and intensity, integrated with a control device that responds to sensor signals for dynamic lighting adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lighting devices are used solely for illumination, then the vehicle interior can be brightly lit, but the aesthetic appeal is disrupted by purely technical elements and no information is conveyed to occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides illumination through the panel while also conveying information through controlled brightness patterns and animations. The control device enables the lighting elements to serve both aesthetic and informational purposes, transforming a single-function illumination device into a multi-functional system that enhances both visibility and communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device utilizes variations in light intensity, brightness distribution, and color to convey different types of information. By controlling the brightness profile locally across the panel and enabling animated patterns, the system can display different states and warnings while maintaining aesthetic appeal through coordinated light variations.
2Loss of information
If warning signals are displayed using separate warning lights, then critical information can be conveyed to occupants, but the visual appeal of the vehicle interior is disrupted by purely technical elements
Solution Approach 1:
The warning signal function is merged with the ambient lighting panel rather than using separate warning lights. The control device enables the same lighting elements to serve both aesthetic illumination and information communication functions. By integrating the warning signal display into the decorative panel with controlled brightness profiles and animated patterns, the system eliminates the need for separate technical warning light components.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device applies local quality variations by controlling brightness profiles at different locations across the panel. Specific regions can be illuminated with different intensities or animated patterns to convey information, while other regions maintain aesthetic illumination. This localized control allows information transmission without requiring separate warning light components throughout the vehicle interior.
3Loss of information
If multiple light-emitting elements are used to create information patterns, then information can be conveyed to occupants, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control device is designed to manage multiple light-emitting elements that serve dual purposes: aesthetic illumination and information communication. By implementing a unified control system that can generate both ambient lighting effects and informative patterns, the patent reduces the need for separate control systems for different lighting functions, thereby managing complexity while enhancing information transmission capability.
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 a harmonious and informative lighting experience that enhances the vehicle's interior aesthetics while effectively conveying critical information to occupants, such as warnings and environmental conditions, through controlled light patterns and colors.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of light-emitting elements which illuminate the first panel (1) from the underside
Implementation Method 2
a flat lighting unit based on electroluminescence or lighting polymers, or by means of illuminated acrylic glass
Implementation Method 3
a partially transparent second plate (9) is arranged between the plurality of light-emitting elements (5) and the first plate (1)
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4
AI summary
In a motor vehicle, specific lighting effects are to be achieved by means of a lighting device which cannot be readily recognized as a lighting device. For this reason, a lighting device with a first panel (1), which has an underside (7) and an upper side (8), and with a plurality of lighting elements (5) which illuminate the first panel (1) from the underside (7), is made available. The first panel (1) has a plurality of transparent and non-transparent elements (2, 3) which are arranged one adjacent to the other in an alternating fashion and which each extend completely from the underside (7) to the upper side (8). The lighting elements (5) are actuated by a control device (6) which is designed to bring about a predefinable spatial brightness profile in a space on the upper side (8) of the first panel (1).