Capacitive Touch Light Bar for Vehicle Ambient and Task Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lighting systems fail to seamlessly integrate ambient and task lighting in a user-friendly and aesthetically appealing manner, lacking a unified solution that effectively responds to user input and environmental conditions.

Innovation Solution

A light bar system featuring capacitive touch sensors and light sources integrated with a controller that adjusts illumination based on capacitive changes, allowing for dynamic control of brightness and color through user input or autonomous responses, installed in various vehicle fixtures to provide adaptable ambient and task lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate lighting devices are used for ambient and task lighting, then each lighting function can be independently controlled, but the system complexity increases and user-friendliness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting function integrationVSAvoidsystem structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines ambient lighting and task lighting functions into a single light bar device. The light bar includes both ambient light sources and task light sources integrated along a common carrier, allowing both lighting functions to be provided by one unified device rather than separate devices, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining functional versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light bar is designed as a multi-functional device that can provide both ambient lighting and task lighting. The same light bar structure supports multiple lighting modes and can be controlled through various input methods (capacitive touch, remote control, voice commands), making it a universal lighting solution that replaces multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If traditional lighting control methods are used, then the system is simple to implement, but user control and responsiveness to user input are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser controlVSAvoidcontrol system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical or button-based control interfaces with capacitive touch sensors. These sensors detect changes in capacitance when a user's finger approaches or touches the surface, enabling intuitive touch control without mechanical components. This substitution provides more responsive and user-friendly control while maintaining relatively simple system architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The capacitive touch sensors are integrated directly into the light bar housing, allowing the light bar to control itself through user touch interactions. The system automatically detects user intent through capacitance changes and adjusts lighting accordingly, eliminating the need for separate control devices or complex control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If capacitive sensors are positioned above the surface for easy access, then user interaction is improved, but electromagnetic interference and false detections increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor accessibilityVSAvoidelectromagnetic interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitive sensors are nested within the light bar structure, positioned below the outer surface rather than exposed on top. The light bar housing and surface materials act as protective layers surrounding the sensors, shielding them from electromagnetic interference while still allowing capacitive coupling with user fingers through the non-conductive surface materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The light bar housing and surface materials serve as intermediary elements between the user's finger and the capacitive sensors. These materials allow capacitive coupling to occur (enabling touch detection) while simultaneously providing electromagnetic shielding to prevent false detections and interference, mediating between user interaction and sensor operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 system enhances the driving experience by enabling seamless transitions between ambient and task lighting, improving user control and comfort through capacitive touch interactions, while reducing false detections and electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

Capacitive sensors spaced along the carrier and positioned below the surface... A controller is included for detecting capacitive changes in the capacitive sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Data Source

PatentUS10098198B2Interior ambient and task light bars

Publication Date: 2018.10.09 FORD GLOBAL TECH LLC

AI summary

A light bar is provided and includes an elongated carrier having a surface extending along the carrier. Capacitive sensors are spaced along the carrier and positioned below the surface. Light sources are included for illuminating the surface, each associated with at least one capacitive sensor and positioned proximate thereto. A controller is included for detecting capacitive changes in the capacitive sensors, wherein when the controller detects a capacitive change in a capacitive sensor, the controller alters an illumination state of a light source associated therewith.