Vehicle Cabin Lighting Optics for Cost-Neutral Decorative Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to improve the design of vehicle cabin illumination devices without increasing costs by installing separate light sources for decorative illuminators.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cabin illumination device that incorporates a first and second light source, a case housing these sources, and decorative illuminators with translucent portions, along with first and second lenses to guide light to the decorative illuminators, enhancing design while controlling costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If a separate light source is installed to illuminate the decorative illuminator, then the design quality is improved, but the cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing light sources (first and second light sources) serve dual functions: illuminating the vehicle cabin through the cabin illuminator and illuminating the decorative illuminator through the translucent portion. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate light sources, improving design quality while controlling costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cabin illumination function and decorative illumination function into a single integrated system. The light sources, case, and optical components are merged to simultaneously achieve both functional illumination and aesthetic decoration without requiring separate lighting systems.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used for both cabin illumination and decorative illumination, then the illumination quality is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The existing light sources are designed to perform multiple functions by directing light through different optical paths - one path for cabin illumination and another path for decorative illumination. This approach maintains high illumination quality while avoiding the complexity of additional light sources and control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the illumination functions into distinct optical paths within the single light source system. The first lens directs light to the cabin illuminator while the second lens directs light to the decorative illuminator's translucent portion, allowing independent optimization of each illumination path without increasing overall device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If a single light source serves both cabin and decorative illumination, then the cost is controlled, but the illumination versatility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination functions into separate optical paths using the first and second lenses. Each lens can independently control light direction and distribution to its respective target (cabin illuminator or decorative illuminator), providing versatile illumination patterns while using a single light source system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic control of illumination patterns by adjusting the optical paths through the lenses. The system can adaptively direct light to different areas and intensities for cabin illumination and decorative illumination independently, maintaining versatility without requiring multiple physical light sources.
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 allows for improved design and convenience by illuminating decorative elements without additional light sources, offering various illumination forms and cost-effective operation.
Implementation Method 1
a first lens that is housed in the case and guides light irradiated from the first light source to a back side of the decorative illuminator
Implementation Method 2
a first lens that is housed in the case and guides light irradiated from the first light source
Implementation Method 3
a second lens that is housed in the case and guides light irradiated from the second light source to the back side of the decorative illuminator
Implementation Method 4
a second lens that is housed in the case and guides light irradiated from the second light source
Implementation Method 5
a decorative illuminator having a translucent portion that can transmit light
Data Source
AI summary
The application improves a design while controlling cost increase. In a vehicle cabin illuminating device, a first and second cabin LEDs are housed in a case. A panel of the case is provided with a cabin illuminator, and a light irradiated from the first and the second cabin LEDs passes through the cabin illuminator to illuminate inside a vehicle cabin. The panel is provided with a decorative illuminator having a decorative translucent portion that can transmit light, and the first lens housed in the case guides light from the first cabin LED to a back side of the decorative illuminator, and the second lens housed in the case guides light from the second cabin LED to the back side of the decorative illuminator. Thus, the decorative illuminator can be illuminated using the first and second cabin LEDs for illuminating inside the vehicle cabin, thereby decorating the vehicle cabin illuminating device.