Vehicle Interior Lighting Assembly With Concealed Roof Gap Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle interior lighting systems do not effectively provide indirect lighting to the roof structure within the passenger compartment, as they lack a mechanism to conceal and direct light from sources through a gap between the headliner and the roof structure, resulting in unsightly illumination.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle interior lighting assembly that includes a light source installed on the lower surface of the vehicle roof structure, concealed by a headliner with a central opening, allowing light to emit through a gap between the roof structure and the headliner, creating a soft, indirect lighting effect along the lateral sides of the sunroof and headliner.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light source is installed on the roof structure to illuminate the passenger compartment, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the light source and wiring become visible creating an unsightly appearance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidvisibility of light source and wiring

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light source is extracted from the visible field by installing it on the lower surface of the roof structure beneath the headliner. The headliner with its central opening acts as a concealment structure that hides the light source and wiring from view while still allowing light to pass through the gap between the headliner edge and roof structure outer periphery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The headliner serves as an intermediary element between the light source and the passenger compartment. It conceals the light source while its central opening and the gap between its inner edge portion and the roof structure outer periphery allow light to pass through, creating the desired indirect lighting effect without exposing the light source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If direct lighting is used to illuminate the passenger compartment, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the lighting obstructs the driver's vision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidobstruction of driver's vision

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system creates localized indirect illumination along the lateral sides of the sunroof and headliner rather than direct overhead lighting. The gap between the headliner inner edge portion and roof structure outer periphery serves as a specific location where light is directed to create soft ambient lighting that does not obstruct the driver's forward vision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting approach transitions from direct vertical illumination to indirect lateral illumination. Light travels horizontally through the gap between the headliner and roof structure outer periphery, illuminating the lateral sides of the sunroof and headliner, thereby avoiding direct glare in the driver's line of sight.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Volume of moving object

If the headliner is positioned close to the roof structure to maximize interior space, then the volume of the passenger compartment is improved, but no gap exists for light to pass through

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior space volumeVSAvoidlight passage through gap

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system optimizes the gap dimension between the headliner inner edge portion and roof structure outer periphery. This gap is maintained at a specific size that allows sufficient light passage while minimizing the space consumed, thereby balancing interior volume with lighting functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 a visually appealing, soft lighting effect within the vehicle's passenger compartment without obstructing the driver's vision, enhancing the aesthetic and functional aspects of interior illumination.

Implementation Method 1

The light source is installed to the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that when the light source is illuminated, light is emitted through the gap between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission and transmission: Light

Data Source

PatentUS11772552B2Vehicle interior lighting assembly

Publication Date: 2023.10.03 NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC

AI summary

A vehicle interior lighting assembly includes a roof structure, a headliner and a light source. The roof structure has a lower surface portion located inboard of the outer periphery. The headliner is supported to the outer periphery of vehicle roof structure. The headliner has a central opening defined by an inner edge portion of the headliner. The opening exposes a portion of the roof structure. The inner edge portion of the headliner is spaced apart from the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that a gap is defined between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner. The light source is installed to the lower surface portion of the vehicle roof structure such that when the light source is illuminated, light is emitted through the gap between the vehicle roof structure and inner edge portion of the headliner.