In-Vehicle Door Illumination System with Coordinated Warning Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing in-vehicle illumination systems fail to effectively and reliably alert occupants to the open or closed state of a vehicle door, particularly when a door warning lamp is not sufficiently visible or recognizable.
Innovation Solution
An in-vehicle illumination system is designed with a door warning lamp, door handle illumination lamp, and decorative lamp that are controlled to illuminate with a warning color when the door is open, and change to a different color or turn off when the door is closed, along with additional illumination units for the foot, pocket, and storage sections that can be operated by the occupant, integrated with sound absorption members for improved wiring workability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a door warning lamp is disposed in the vicinity of the door handle, then the warning function is provided, but the warning may not be sufficiently recognized by the occupant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination functions (door warning lamp, door handle illumination lamp, and decorative lamp) into a single integrated system. When the door is open, all three lamps are controlled to light up simultaneously with a warning color, creating a composite warning signal that is more noticeable and reliable than a single lamp alone, while sharing common control logic and infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system performs multiple functions: it serves as a warning indicator when the door is open, provides illumination for the door handle area, and offers decorative lighting effects. This multi-functionality increases warning reliability without adding separate dedicated warning devices, thereby managing system complexity
2Loss of information
If multiple illumination lamps are added to improve door state recognition, then the warning effectiveness is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system merges the control of multiple lamps into a unified control logic. The same control unit that manages the door warning lamp also controls the door handle illumination lamp and decorative lamp, using a single control signal to coordinate all illumination elements, thereby enhancing information transmission without proportionally increasing control system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: warning indication, area illumination, and decorative lighting. This universal approach ensures that door state information is transmitted effectively through multiple visual channels while avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems for each function
3Illumination intensity
If illumination lamps are integrated into the door structure, then the warning visibility is improved, but the wiring workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit and harness are nested within the sound absorption member structure of the door. This integration allows the wiring and control components to be housed within existing door cavities and structures, improving warning light visibility while maintaining reasonable wiring installation feasibility by utilizing the door's internal space efficiently
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 system ensures clear recognition of the door's open or closed state by occupants through coordinated lighting, enhances convenience by allowing occupant-controlled illumination, and improves wiring workability within the vehicle door.
Implementation Method 1
a first light emitting unit having a plurality of light emitting elements which emit light in different colors
Data Source
AI summary
An in-vehicle illumination system which is to be disposed in a door of a vehicle has: a door warning lamp which is disposed in the vicinity of a door handle that is operated when the door is to be opened, and which indicates an open/close state of the door; a door handle illumination lamp which illuminates the door handle; a decorative lamp which emits decorative light; and a first control connector having a first control apparatus which controls ON/OFF states of the door warning lamp, the door handle illumination lamp, and the decorative lamp. The first control apparatus of the first control connector causes, when the door is in an open state, the door warning lamp, the door handle illumination lamp, and the decorative lamp to be lighted ON with a predetermined warning color.