Decorative Light Guide Assembly for Uniform Surface Backlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative and panel parts in vehicle interiors require additional space-intensive light boxes or light modules for backlighting and illumination, which are costly and require separate development for each component, limiting uniform surface illumination.
Innovation Solution
A shaped part with a decorative layer and a light guide assembly on its rear side, featuring a front-side and rear-side mirror film, allows for even backlighting and illumination across the entire surface without additional light boxes, enabling flexible design and manufacturing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If additional light boxes or light modules are used for backlighting, then illumination function is achieved, but device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide function and mirror function into a single integrated light guide assembly. The light guide layer with front-side and rear-side mirror films performs both light guidance and reflection, eliminating the need for separate light boxes or light modules. This merging reduces device complexity while maintaining the backlighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide assembly serves multiple functions: it guides light from the light source, reflects light using mirror films, and distributes illumination across the decorative layer. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional dedicated components, reducing overall device complexity.
2Illumination intensity
If light boxes are installed in a frame, then structure is provided, but uniform surface illumination is prevented due to geometry constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses thin film structures (front-side and rear-side mirror films) that can conform to the decorative layer's surface geometry. These flexible films enable uniform light distribution across the entire surface, including edges and curved areas, without being constrained by rigid frame geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide assembly transitions from a two-dimensional planar light distribution to three-dimensional conformal illumination by using flexible mirror films that adapt to the decorative layer's surface contours. This enables uniform illumination across complex geometries that rigid frames cannot achieve.
3Adaptability or versatility
If light boxes or light-conducting modules are newly developed for each component, then customization is achieved, but development time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide assembly with its mirror film structure serves as a universal component that can be adapted to various decorative layers and component geometries. The same basic design principles and materials can be applied across different vehicle interior components, reducing development time while maintaining component-specific customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention allows for parameter adjustments (such as mirror film properties, light guide layer thickness, and decorative layer characteristics) to optimize performance for different components without requiring complete redesign. This enables efficient customization across various applications.
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
This solution enables uniform illumination over the entire surface of the component, eliminates the need for additional light boxes, and allows for high variability in illumination designs, enhancing aesthetic and functional capabilities in vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
light emanating from the light source(s) and coupled into the light guide layer of the light guide assembly is at least partially reflected on the mirror films and thus propagates in the light guide layer
Data Source
AI summary
A shaped part includes a decorative layer having a front/visible side, and a rear opposing side, a light guide assembly arranged on the rear side of the decorative layer for illuminating and/or backlighting the decorative layer, and one or more light sources. Light (L) emanating from the light source(s) can be input into the light guide assembly. The light guide assembly has a light guide layer with a front side and a rear side. An at least sectionally translucent mirror film is arranged on the front side of the light guide layer and a rear-side mirror film is arranged on the rear side of the light guide layer. Light (L) emanating from the light source(s) and input into the light guide layer of the light guide assembly can be partially reflected on the mirror films, and thus propagates in the light guide layer.