Backlit Decorative Composite with Perforated Layer and Light-Guiding Defects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative composites for vehicle interiors lack a sparkling effect that can be consistently displayed to viewers, especially when backlit, due to limitations in light permeability and scattering properties.
Innovation Solution
A decorative composite with a perforated decorative layer and a light-guiding layer, where the light-guiding layer contains imperfections that act as individual light sources, providing a sparkle effect by varying in density and distribution to maintain a homogeneous emission intensity, and are strategically positioned to be visible or hidden depending on the viewing angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the decorative layer is made opaque to provide good visual appearance, then aesthetic quality is improved, but light permeability deteriorates preventing backlighting
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative layer is segmented into multiple layers including a base decorative layer and a cover layer with scattering sections. This segmentation allows different layers to perform different functions: the base layer provides aesthetic appearance while the cover layer with scattering sections enables light diffusion and backlighting effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer is provided with scattering sections at which the degree of scattering is locally increased. This local quality change allows specific areas to have enhanced light scattering properties while other areas maintain different optical characteristics, enabling both aesthetic appearance and backlighting functionality.
2Illumination intensity
If imperfections are densely distributed to create sparkle effect, then visual appeal is improved, but homogeneity of light emission deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light-conducting layer is provided with scattering sections at which the degree of scattering is locally increased. This local quality enhancement creates sparkle effects in specific areas while maintaining overall homogeneity of light emission across the decorative composite.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering properties of the light-conducting layer are changed locally through scattering sections with varying degrees of scattering. This parameter change allows creation of sparkle effects while controlling the distribution to maintain homogeneous light emission overall.
3Illumination intensity
If the decorative layer is made completely light-permeable to allow backlighting, then light transmission is improved, but aesthetic quality deteriorates due to loss of visual appeal
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative layer is segmented into a base decorative layer and a cover layer. The base layer maintains aesthetic quality with its original appearance, while the cover layer provides controlled light transmission and scattering properties for effective backlighting.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative layer is constructed as a composite structure with a base decorative layer and a cover layer having scattering sections. This composite structure combines materials with different optical properties to achieve both aesthetic appearance and effective backlighting transmission.
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 composite achieves a consistent sparkle effect across all viewing angles by ensuring imperfections are visible as luminous points or lines, enhancing the visual appeal and homogeneity of light emission, suitable for use in vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source (L1) for coupling light into the light-guiding layer (20)
Implementation Method 2
The light-conducting layer is provided with imperfections (21), which, when light is coupled in, appear as light sources that can be distinguished from one another
Implementation Method 3
the openings that form the perforation do not have to completely penetrate the decorative layer... the decorative layer is completely or partially light-permeable there so that backlighting can take place
Data Source
Figure 1~3C
Figure 4A~5
Figure 6~7c
AI summary
Decorative composite with a decorative layer (10) and a light-conducting layer (20), the decorative layer (10) being provided with a perforation, through which openings (11) in the decorative layer (10) are formed, and the light-conducting layer (20) being provided with defects (21) which, when light is coupled into the light-conducting layer (20), act as distinguishable light sources, wherein for all angles of vision onto the decorative layer (10) of the decorative composite, one or more defects (21) are concealed by the decorative layer (10), said defects being visible from one or more different angles of vision.