Illuminated Decorative Strip Homogeneous Lighting via Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated decorative strips for vehicles suffer from inhomogeneous ambient lighting due to limited bending radii of light guides, inadequate protection of electronics from moisture and dirt, and lack of individual light control, which affects their visual appeal and functional reliability.
Innovation Solution
An illuminated decorative strip with a transparent or translucent light-guiding functional layer applied to a carrier layer inside the strip, using LEDs or other light sources, where the lighting unit is encapsulated to provide homogeneous illumination and protection, allowing for individual light control and integration of electronic components for enhanced durability and design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light guides are used in illuminated decorative strips, then light can be distributed along the strip, but the lighting becomes inhomogeneous due to limiting minimum bending radii
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light guide component from the illumination system and replaces it with direct LED mounting on the decorative strip carrier. This eliminates the bending radius limitation that causes inhomogeneous lighting, allowing uniform light distribution directly from multiple LED sources arranged along the strip length.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a diffusing layer as an intermediary between the LED light sources and the external environment. This layer homogenizes the light output from discrete LED points, creating uniform ambient lighting without requiring complex light guide bending.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional illuminated decorative strips are used, then lighting effect is achieved, but electronics are insufficiently protected from moisture and dirt
Solution Approach 1:
The patent nests the electronic components and LED light sources directly within the multi-layer structure of the decorative strip itself. The decorative strip acts as both the structural carrier and the protective enclosure, with layers providing mechanical strength, electrical isolation, and environmental sealing against moisture and dirt.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses thin film layers within the decorative strip structure to provide environmental protection. These film layers create moisture and dirt barriers while maintaining the flexibility and thin-profile design of the decorative strip, allowing reliable operation in vehicle environments.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional illuminated decorative strips are used, then ambient lighting is provided, but individual light control over the length is not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination system into multiple independent LED modules distributed along the length of the decorative strip. Each LED or group of LEDs can be independently controlled through separate electrical connections, enabling individual light control for different sections of the strip to implement information, warning, or decorative functions.
4Illumination intensity
If light guides with minimum bending radii are used, then light can be guided along the strip, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the light guide component entirely from the system, replacing it with direct LED mounting on the decorative strip carrier. This simplification eliminates the complex bending radius requirements and associated manufacturing precision demands, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining effective light distribution.
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 achieves uniform and visually appealing ambient lighting with improved protection of electronic components, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs, while maintaining a design similar to non-illuminated strips and enabling information or warning functions.
Implementation Method 1
a transparent and / or translucent and / or light-guiding functional layer (12) is coated or overmolded
Implementation Method 2
The emitted light can be reflected in particular on the inside of the decorative strip, on the bodywork or on parts of the sealing profile
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The invention relates to an illuminated trim strip for a motor vehicle with a lighting unit, in particular a trim strip as a cover strip for a sealing strip for a window recess of a vehicle door, which is designed such that, upon final assembly on the vehicle as intended, a light gap is formed between the trim strip and the adjacent vehicle exterior surface or within the trim strip itself, as well as the method for manufacturing such a trim strip. To achieve uniform ambient lighting with high functional reliability, low manufacturing effort, and the lowest possible costs, the lighting unit (8) is provided to have a carrier layer (12) and an at least partially translucent functional layer (14), wherein the light source (10) is arranged on the carrier layer (12) and the light source (10) is covered by the functional layer (12) applied to the carrier layer.