Automotive Body Element With Hidden Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automotive body elements with luminous or functional light sources are visually unappealing when the lights are turned off, as the light sources remain visible from outside the vehicle, and traditional chrome layers are incompatible with backlighting applications.
Innovation Solution
A translucent automotive body element with an opaque coating layer on the outer face and a light guide on the inner face, where the light source is hidden and not visible from outside, and a translucent varnish layer is applied to protect the coating while allowing light emission when turned on.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged in openings of body elements, then illumination function is achieved, but light sources remain visible from outside when turned off, negatively impacting appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is extracted from the traditional opening configuration and relocated to the inner face of the body element. This extraction allows the light source to be positioned behind the translucent body, enabling illumination while concealing the source when off, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination function and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
A translucent body element is introduced as an intermediary between the light source and the external environment. This translucent material allows light to pass through when emitted while preventing the light source from being visible when off, acting as a mediator that reconciles the conflicting requirements of illumination and appearance.
2Reliability
If traditional chrome coating is applied to body elements, then durability and appearance are improved, but the coating thickness is incompatible with backlighting applications
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is applied selectively only on the outer face of the body element, leaving the inner face uncoated. This local differentiation allows the outer surface to maintain durability and appearance while the inner surface remains suitable for light source placement and backlighting operations, resolving the contradiction between coating durability and backlighting compatibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The body element combines a translucent base material with a selective coating structure. This composite approach integrates the optical properties of translucent materials with the protective properties of coating, creating a structure that simultaneously achieves durability and backlighting compatibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If body elements are made translucent for backlighting, then light emission is enabled, but the visible surface may be damaged or require intentional destruction
Solution Approach 1:
The coating is applied only on the outer face where structural integrity is needed, while the inner face remains uncoated for light source placement. This local differentiation maintains surface strength where required while enabling backlighting functionality where needed, avoiding the need to damage or destroy the visible surface.
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 ensures that light sources are not visible from outside the vehicle when turned off, enhancing the vehicle's appearance and enabling backlighting without damaging the visible surface, while providing a uniform appearance under natural light.
Implementation Method 1
a translucent body (2) having an outer face (6), intended to be turned towards outside the vehicle, and an inner face (4), intended to be turned towards inside the vehicle
Implementation Method 2
at least one of said faces being coated by a coating layer made of opaque material
Implementation Method 3
the light source is formed by a light guide extending on the inner face of the body, a light emitting element being connected to at least one of the extreme part of said light guide
Implementation Method 4
the body element comprises a translucent varnish layer extending on the additional coating layer
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The body element (1) comprises a translucent body (2) having an outer face (6) and an inner face (4), at least one of said faces (4, 6) being coated by a coating layer (8, 24) made of opaque material. Said coating layer (8, 24) comprises at least one opening (14, 26), said element further comprising at least one light source (18, 36) extending on the inner face (4) of the body (2), an additional coating layer (15, 28) made of opaque material being arranged on the outer face (6) side of the translucent body at least opposite the opening (14, 26), said additional coating layer (15, 28) being arranged to let the light coming from the light source (18, 36) pass through said additional coating layer (15, 28), when the light source is turned on.