Exterior Luminous Structure for Vehicle Status Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of motor vehicles face challenges in obtaining rapid information about the status of operationally relevant components, such as battery charge or fuel levels, which are typically only visible after entering the vehicle and activating the ignition.
Innovation Solution
An elongated luminous structure with multiple light sources, controlled by a circuit to indicate the status of these components externally, using existing vehicle lighting structures like reflector matrices or glow sticks, allowing for immediate visual feedback on critical states like battery charge or fuel levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the status display is placed inside the vehicle and activated only after ignition, then the information is visible to the user, but the user cannot obtain rapid information about component status from outside the vehicle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the status display from the traditional interior dashboard location to an exterior location on the vehicle body. This spatial relocation allows users to view component status information from outside the vehicle, eliminating the need to enter and start the engine just to check status. The elongated luminous structure is positioned on the vehicle exterior where it can be viewed from a distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The status display is designed to activate automatically when the vehicle is approached or when the proximity sensor detects the user's presence, before the user needs to enter or start the vehicle. This preliminary activation ensures that status information is already visible and accessible to the user outside the vehicle, saving time and providing immediate information about component conditions.
2Measurement precision
If multiple light sources are used to create a detailed status scale, then the status information becomes more precise and informative, but the device complexity and wiring requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The elongated luminous structure is divided into multiple segments or zones, each corresponding to a specific status range. By segmenting the display into distinct luminous regions rather than using individually controllable light sources, the patent achieves precise status indication while reducing control circuit complexity. Each segment can be independently illuminated to indicate different status levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple light-emitting elements into a single integrated elongated luminous structure. Rather than controlling separate light sources individually, the structure is designed as one unified component that can display a continuous or segmented status scale, reducing the overall complexity of the control system while maintaining precise status indication capabilities.
3Ease of manufacture
If existing lighting structures like reflector matrices are reused for status display, then manufacturing costs and device complexity are reduced, but the aesthetic appearance and integration may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the elongated luminous structure to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a status display and an integrated lighting element for the vehicle. By making the structure multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate aesthetic lighting components, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining visual appeal. The same structure that displays status information also contributes to the vehicle's lighting design.
Solution Approach 2:
The luminous structure is designed with varying local properties along its length, such as different luminance levels, colors, or illumination patterns in different segments. This local differentiation allows the structure to convey precise status information while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance, as each section can be optimized for both functional and visual requirements.
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
Enables users to quickly identify critical vehicle states from outside, preventing issues like starting a vehicle with a low battery by providing visible, scalable, and energy-efficient status displays integrated into existing lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
each light source has at least one light-emitting diode
Implementation Method 2
the light guide being set up to guide the light fed in and to emit light due to imperfections formed on the light guide
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a status display for the state of an operationally-relevant component (1) of a motor vehicle. An illuminating structure (4) supplied to by at least two light sources (5, 6) is arranged in a position of the vehicle which is visible from the outside. A control circuit (3) which is associated with the light sources is designed to control the light sources in accordance with a state signal (sz) representing the state of the operationally-relevant components (1) such that the luminance and/or the colour indicates, along the illuminating structure and in a scaled manner, the state of the component.