Decorative Light-Guiding Layer Layout for Uniform Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative parts in the automotive sector face challenges with inhomogeneous illumination due to limited adjustability of light-guiding layers and edge-based light strips, leading to 'dark frames' and uneven lighting, which are difficult to adapt for various applications.
Innovation Solution
A decorative part design featuring a transparent light-guiding layer with light strips arranged on the underside, allowing for even illumination and adjustable shape, with the option of multiple light strips and a compensating layer to homogenize light intensity, enabling flexible adaptation to different shapes and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If light strips are arranged laterally at one edge of the light-guiding layer, then the structure is simple, but the illumination becomes inhomogeneous with dark frames and hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The light strip is divided into multiple segments arranged at different locations (edges and/or middle) of the light-guiding layer. Each segment illuminates a specific region, and together they provide uniform coverage across the entire decorative part, eliminating dark frames and hot spots while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple light strips are combined in a coordinated arrangement where they work together to illuminate different regions of the light-guiding layer. The merging of their illumination zones creates uniform overall illumination while each individual strip maintains its simple edge-mounted structure.
2Illumination intensity
If additional light strips are arranged at the edge to compensate for brightness, then edge brightness is improved, but the decorative part shape is constrained and cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guiding layer is designed with universal adaptability to accommodate different decorative part shapes. The light strips can be arranged in various configurations (one or more at edges, and/or in the middle) depending on the specific application requirements, allowing the same basic structure to serve multiple shape and design purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement of light strips is made dynamic and adjustable rather than fixed. The system can be configured with one or more light strips at edges and/or in the middle based on the specific decorative part shape and illumination requirements, enabling adaptation to various applications without compromising edge brightness.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light strips are used to improve illumination, then brightness is increased, but the system complexity increases and inhomogeneous illumination may still occur
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system is segmented into multiple independent light strip units that can be selectively arranged. Each segment (light strip) is a simple, standardized component that can be positioned at edges and/or in the middle of the light-guiding layer, providing modular complexity that increases brightness while maintaining manageable system complexity.
4Ease of manufacture
If the light-guiding layer shape is fixed by edge-mounted light strips, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different applications is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The light-guiding layer is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different decorative part shapes and application requirements. The manufacturing process remains simplified by using standard light strip components, while the flexible arrangement (one or more strips at edges and/or in the middle) enables adaptation to various applications without requiring custom manufacturing for each case.
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 uniform and adaptable illumination, eliminating 'hot spots' and 'dark spots', allowing for customizable shapes and applications without compromising illuminability, and enabling easy expansion or trimming of the decorative part.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent light-guiding layer (10) and at least one light band (20)... the light-guiding layer extends flatly from a first side to an opposite second side, and the at least one light band extends between the first side and the second side
Implementation Method 2
The light strip also has a first plurality of lighting devices and a second plurality of lighting devices, wherein the lighting devices of the first plurality of lighting devices are designed to emit light in the direction of the first side of the light-guiding layer, and the lighting devices of the second plurality of lighting devices are designed to emit light in the direction of the second side of the light-guiding layer
Implementation Method 3
the decorative part can be illuminated uniformly or homogeneously on its visible side by the illuminants of the at least one light band
Data Source
Figure 1~2d
Figure 3~4c
Figure 5~6d
AI summary
The invention relates to an illuminable decorative part (1) having a visible side (S) and an opposite, rear side (R), the decorative part (1) comprising a transparent light-guiding layer (10) and at least one light strip (20), which has a first and a second plurality of illuminants, the illuminants (21) of the first plurality being designed to emit light in the direction of the first side (SI) of the light-guiding layer (10), and the illuminants (22) of the second plurality being designed to emit light in the direction of the second side (S2) of the light-guiding layer (10), and the illuminants (21) of the first plurality each being arranged at least in part in a light cone of the light emittable by one of the illuminants (22) of the second plurality in the direction of the second side (S2), and the illuminants (22) of the second plurality each being arranged at least in part in a light cone of the light emittable by one of the illuminants (21) of the first plurality in the direction of the first side (SI).