Vehicle Decorative Part Light-Conducting Dome Backlighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative parts for vehicle interiors suffer from inhomogeneous light distribution due to the placement of light elements, which limits design options and fails to achieve uniform backlighting, resulting in an uneven optical and aesthetic impression.
Innovation Solution
A decorative part with a light-conducting dome protruding from the reverse side of the light-conducting layer, where the light element is connected to the dome's end, and a funnel section that deflects light perpendicular to the layer, combined with a shading element and reflector to ensure even light distribution and prevent excessive illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the light element is located on the reverse side of the light-conducting layer and distributes light in its plane extension, then the device structure is simple, but the light distribution is inhomogeneous with higher emission directly at the light element area
Solution Approach 1:
The light element is positioned at the free end of a light-conducting dome that protrudes from the light-conducting layer, changing the spatial arrangement from planar distribution to three-dimensional positioning. This dimensional change allows light to be introduced at an angle and distributed more uniformly across the layer through the dome's light-conducting properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-conducting dome acts as an intermediary between the light element and the light-conducting layer. It receives light from the light element and distributes it uniformly across the layer, preventing direct contact between the light element and the layer while achieving homogeneous illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If the light element is provided on the side next to the light-conducting layer with light irradiated between front and rear sides, then light can be distributed more uniformly, but a light-conducting additional layer with different refractive index is required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The light-conducting dome serves multiple functions: it positions the light element at an optimal location, conducts light from the element, distributes light uniformly across the light-conducting layer, and eliminates the need for a separate light-conducting additional layer with different refractive index.
Solution Approach 2:
The dome and the light-conducting layer are preferably material-identical and formed in one piece, merging what would traditionally be separate components with different refractive indices into a single integrated structure, thereby simplifying the device while maintaining uniform light distribution.
3Illumination intensity
If the light element is arranged to the side and at the height of the light-conducting layer, then light distribution can be achieved, but design options are limited due to lateral non-backlit projection
Solution Approach 1:
The light-conducting dome protrudes from the light-conducting layer, utilizing the third dimension (depth) to position the light element. This vertical positioning eliminates lateral non-backlit projections and provides greater design flexibility for the decorative part's overall structure.
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 backlighting across the decorative layer, enhancing the optical and aesthetic appeal by ensuring consistent light distribution and reducing brightness variations, thereby overcoming the limitations of previous designs.
Implementation Method 1
The funnel section therefore has a curvature which usually favors total reflection so that the light beam is reflected by reflection within the funnel section without escaping
Implementation Method 2
a light-conducting dome protruding from the light-conducting layer on the reverse side of the light-conducting layer facing away from the decorative layer. This light-conducting dome is coupled with the light-conducting layer in a light-conducting manner
Implementation Method 3
the light-conducting dome can be provided with a prismatic louvre on its free end surface so that the light emitted by the light element scatters when introduced into the light conducting dome
Data Source
AI summary
A decorative part, in particular for a vehicle interior, having a decorative layer with a visible front surface, a support on a reverse side of the decorative layer and a light-conducting layer provided between the support and the decorative layer for backlighting at least part of the decorative layer, which is assigned a light-conducting element for generating light. For more uniform backlighting of the decorative layer, a light-conducting dome is provided on a reverse side of the light-conducting layer facing away from the decorative layer, which protrudes therefrom and is coupled in a light-conducting manner to the light-conducting layer and at its free end to the light element.