Charging Port Cover Illumination via Segmented Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for illuminating charging port covers and fuel cap modules in motor vehicles are either blinding to operators due to direct and large-area lighting, or they require significant space, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A compact charging port cover and fuel cap module design featuring two openings aligned at an obtuse angle to accommodate a dual-function illumination and display device, using a housing with detachable components and light guides to ensure effective and cost-effective illumination and level indication, with the ability to display brand-specific logos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is annularly arranged around the tank opening to illuminate the charging port cover, then the charging port cover is illuminated, but the operator may be blinded by the light
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is segmented into multiple individual light sources arranged in the light guide, rather than a continuous annular source. This segmentation allows for controlled light emission patterns that illuminate the charging port cover while reducing direct light exposure to the operator's eyes.
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide is introduced as an intermediary element between the light sources and the charging port cover. The light guide conducts and distributes light along its structure, providing indirect illumination that reduces direct light exposure to the operator while still effectively illuminating the charging port cover and fuel cap module.
2Loss of information
If an instrument cluster with annular light source and display is arranged around the tank opening, then charge level and fuel level can be displayed, but the solution takes up a lot of space
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural component of the charging port cover module, provides illumination for the charging port cover and fuel cap module, and serves as a display element for indicating charge level and fuel level through integrated lighting patterns. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate instrument cluster, significantly reducing space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination function and display function are merged into a single integrated system. The light guide combines the roles of a structural support element, a light distribution channel, and a visual display medium, consolidating multiple functions into one component and reducing overall system complexity and space occupation.
3Illumination intensity
If segmental bulbs are strung together around the charging outlet to form a closed ring, then illumination and charge level display are provided, but the solution requires a lot of space and many bulbs
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural component of the charging port cover module, provides illumination for the charging port cover and fuel cap module, and serves as a display element for indicating charge level and fuel level through integrated lighting patterns. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate instrument cluster, significantly reducing space requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination function and display function are merged into a single integrated system. The light guide combines the roles of a structural support element, a light distribution channel, and a visual display medium, consolidating multiple functions into one component and reducing overall system complexity and space occupation.
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 efficient and cost-effective illumination and level indication while minimizing space usage, reducing the risk of operator blinding and facilitating maintenance through a compact and modular design.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide with a c-shaped contour, into which c-leg light from light sources is coupled on the front side
Implementation Method 2
at least one light emitting device, which serves both to illuminate the charging port cover and fuel cap module and to display the current charge level
Data Source
AI summary
A charging port cover and/or a fuel cap module for a motor vehicle for receiving or attaching at least one interface, which is used for charging and/or refueling a motor vehicle-side energy accumulator. The charging port cover and/or the fuel cap module also serves to fasten and mount at least one device having light sources. The at least one device illuminates both the charging port cover and/or the fuel cap module and a current charge level and/or a current fuel level of the motor vehicle-side energy accumulator. The charging port cover and/or the fuel cap module has a first opening and a second opening adjacent thereto. The first opening and the second opening are oriented such that emitted or deliverable light of the mounted at least one device can emerge from the first opening in a direction of an operator of the motor vehicle and from the second opening in a direction of the at least one interface for charging and/or refueling the motor vehicle-side energy accumulator.