Motor Vehicle Control Device Light Duct Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle control devices have incomplete illumination of switching symbols, particularly at their edges, due to compact construction constraints.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle control device with a light duct module that guides light emitted by a source on the rear side of a printed circuit board through openings, increasing the distance and allowing flaring to illuminate switching symbols completely, while maintaining a compact design without additional components. The light duct module is separate from the trim and printed circuit board, forming a light seal to prevent adjacent symbol illumination and includes electrically conductive portions for capacitive sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the motor vehicle control device is constructed compactly, then the device size is reduced, but the illumination of switching symbols becomes incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
A light duct is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the switching symbols. The light duct guides and distributes light from the source to illuminate the switching symbols completely, resolving the contradiction by enabling full illumination without increasing overall device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The light duct utilizes the thickness dimension of the printed circuit board to create an optical path. By forming the light duct through the PCB thickness, the solution creates distance between light source and control surface without increasing the device's planar footprint, thus maintaining compactness while achieving complete illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If additional components are added to achieve complete illumination, then illumination quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light duct is merged with the printed circuit board structure itself. The PCB thickness serves as the light duct, eliminating the need for separate light duct components. This integration achieves complete illumination while avoiding additional parts, thus not increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board performs multiple functions: it provides electrical connections, structural support, and serves as the light duct for optical guidance. This multi-functionality allows the same component to achieve complete illumination without adding dedicated illumination components, maintaining simplicity.
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
Ensures complete and homogeneous illumination of switching symbols, enabling effective backlighting and capacitive sensing without additional components, allowing for modular functionality and easy adaptation to different trim configurations, reducing manufacturing costs and facilitating retrofitting.
Implementation Method 1
the light emitted by the light source extends along the light duct and backlights the at least one switching symbol to be actuated
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a motor vehicle control device (10) for an interior space of a motor vehicle, comprising a trim (12) and a printed circuit board (34), wherein the trim (12) comprises a control surface (14) on which at least one switching symbol (16) to be actuated is shown, which can be backlit by a light source, wherein the light source is associated to a light duct (22) which leads to the control surface (14), wherein the light emitted by the light source (44, 60) extends along the light duct (22) and backlights the at least one switching symbol (16) to be actuated. Furthermore, there is described a method for manufacturing a motor vehicle control device (10).