Dual-Color Backlighting for Vehicle Control Keys
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing key control devices in motor vehicles face challenges in providing effective location lighting and function indicators on reduced-size keys arranged adjacently, leading to space and electrical consumption issues due to the need for multiple lights.
Innovation Solution
A key control device with two backlighting means of different colors, where one illuminates function indicators when activated and the other, positioned between keys, provides continuous location lighting, using a light guide with concave corners and a sawtooth shape to maximize light distribution, reducing the number of required lights and enhancing visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If two separate lights are provided for each key (location lighting and function indicator), then both location and activation state can be indicated, but the device size and electrical consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the location lighting and function indicator into a single light source per key. The light serves dual purposes: indicating the key's position and showing whether the associated function is activated, thereby reducing the number of lights required while maintaining full information display capability
Solution Approach 2:
Each light source is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - serving as both location lighting and function indicator. This multi-functionality approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated lights for each purpose, reducing overall device complexity
2Area of stationary object
If keys are reduced in size and arranged adjacently, then space is saved, but providing sufficient lighting becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements localized lighting by placing individual light sources directly at each key position rather than using general ambient lighting. This ensures that each compact key receives adequate illumination despite the reduced overall space, maintaining visibility while saving space
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting solution transitions from a planar arrangement to a three-dimensional structure by positioning lights beneath or adjacent to the keys and using light guides to distribute illumination. This vertical dimension allows sufficient lighting in compact horizontal spaces
3Illumination intensity
If continuous location lighting is provided, then key visibility during night driving is improved, but electrical consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The location lighting operates periodically or on-demand rather than continuously. The system activates lighting only when needed (e.g., when the vehicle is running or when keys are detected), reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining visibility during critical periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses different light colors to convey different information - for example, one color for location indication and another for activation status. This allows the system to provide comprehensive information with a single light source, reducing energy consumption compared to using multiple lights
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 enhances key visibility and function indicator awareness while minimizing electrical consumption and device size by using a dual-color backlighting system and light guide design, effectively addressing space and efficiency concerns.
Implementation Method 1
the part of the movable element facing the function indicator comprises a light guide configured to transmit the light coming from the first and second backlighting means towards the function indicator
Implementation Method 2
the corners of the light guide located close to the second backlighting means are concave in shape to capture the light coming from said second backlighting means
Implementation Method 3
the part of the light guide located opposite the first backlighting means has a sawtooth shape to distribute the light in the light guide
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a control device having keys including at least two control keys associated with functions and arranged relative to one another, said at least two control keys including, respectively: a movable element for moving between a rest position and a control position, which includes an outer portion which a user pushes; a control means actuated by the movable element; a function indicator light located on the outer portion of the movable element; first backlighting means configured to backlight the function indicator light when the function associated with the control key is activated, in which the control device also includes the second backlighting means which have a different color from the first backlighting means and which are intended for being activated independently of the activation status of the function associated with the control key, said second backlighting means being arranged at the interface between two contiguous control keys such as to illuminate the function indicator lights of the two contiguous keys.