Daylight Opening Surround With Integrated Optical Waveguide
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current daylight opening surrounds for motor vehicles lack a means to visually indicate vehicle status or provide visual cues to users, such as unlocking or proximity warnings, in a visually appealing and functional manner.
Innovation Solution
A daylight opening surround equipped with a light transmitting element that can be illuminated by one or more light sources, using an optical waveguide to transmit light externally, and a controller to manage the illumination based on vehicle status or external conditions, allowing for varying colors, intensity, and patterns to convey information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a light transmitting element with optical waveguide is integrated into the daylight opening surround, then the visual indication capability and user interaction are improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the daylight opening surround: the surround structure itself serves as the housing, the light transmitting element is integrated directly into the surround, and the optical waveguide functionality is built-in. This merging eliminates separate components for light transmission and status indication, resolving the contradiction between improved visual indication and increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The daylight opening surround is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the structural frame for the window, incorporates the light transmitting element for status indication, and includes the optical waveguide for light distribution. This multi-functionality allows the single component to deliver enhanced information communication without proportionally increasing overall system complexity
2Loss of information
If multiple light sources with varying colors and intensities are used to convey different vehicle status information, then the information communication capability is improved, but the energy consumption and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or intermittent illumination rather than continuous lighting. The light sources are activated only when vehicle status changes occur (such as unlocking, locking, or proximity detection events), and remain dormant during normal operation. This periodic action pattern enables comprehensive status information communication while dramatically reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous multi-color illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses different colors or intensity levels of light to encode different vehicle status states. By varying the optical properties of the light transmission based on the status being indicated, the system communicates multiple types of information using the same physical light source infrastructure, thereby improving information capability without proportionally increasing energy requirements
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 and functional way to indicate vehicle status, such as unlocking, and warns of proximity to other road users or energy state, enhancing user interaction and safety through customizable illumination.
Implementation Method 1
The light transmitting element can form an optical waveguide. Light can be reflected internally within the light transmitting element and transmitted along some or all of its length.
Implementation Method 2
The light transmitting element can form an optical waveguide. Light can be reflected internally within the light transmitting element and transmitted along some or all of its length.
Implementation Method 3
A cladding having a lower refractive index than the light transmitting element can be disposed on an inner surface and/or at least one lateral surface of said light transmitting element. Alternatively, or in addition, a reflective layer can be disposed on an inner surface and/or at least one lateral surface of said light transmitting element. The cladding and/or reflective layer(s) can cause light to be confined to the light transmitting element by total internal reflection.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a daylight opening surround (3; 101) for a motor vehicle (1). The surround (3; 101) has a light transmitting element (15; 103) for transmitting light from a light source (19; 111). The present invention also relates to a light transmitting element (15; 103) for a surround (3; 101); a controller for a daylight opening surround (3; 101); and a motor vehicle (1).