Flat Scattering Element Illuminated Decorative Part
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illuminated decorative parts for vehicle interiors are bulky and suffer from significant light loss due to the use of lenses and stripe images, limiting their compactness and optical brilliance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating flat scattering elements like PMMA and clear light guides between light sources and the scattering element, along with a semi-transparent intermediate layer and tinted glass decorative layer, to achieve even light distribution and high contrast without increasing bulk, while using light-emitting diodes for efficient energy use and customizable lighting effects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lenses and stripe images are used to achieve light distribution and display, then light emission function is improved, but device complexity and volume increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the lens and stripe image components from the decorative lighting unit, replacing them with a flat scattering element that directly receives light from LED strips. This eliminates the need for complex optical focusing and image projection mechanisms while achieving uniform light distribution through the decorative surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the light distribution function by using multiple LED strips positioned at different locations (front, rear, left, right) that all illuminate a common flat scattering element. This segmentation allows each LED strip to operate independently while contributing to the overall uniform illumination, replacing the single complex optical path with multiple simpler paths.
2Illumination intensity
If lenses and stripe images are used for light distribution, then light emission function is improved, but the overall height and installation space requirement increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the lens component that required significant depth for focusing light, replacing it with a flat scattering element that achieves light distribution in a much thinner profile. The stripe image projection mechanism is also removed, eliminating the need for deep optical paths and enabling compact installation in vehicles with limited space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional optical path requiring depth (lens focusing) to a two-dimensional light distribution approach using a flat scattering element. Light from multiple LED strips illuminates the scattering element from different directions, achieving uniform distribution across the surface without requiring significant distance between light sources and the decorative surface.
3Loss of information
If stripe images are used for display, then image representation is improved, but light loss increases and optical brilliance decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the stripe image component that caused light loss through absorption and scattering in the image layer. Instead, the flat scattering element distributes light uniformly across the entire decorative surface, and the desired display pattern is achieved through the decorative surface design itself rather than through a separate transilluminated image layer.
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 enables a compact, high-contrast, and brilliant light emission with customizable lighting effects, enhancing the optical quality and crash safety of the decorative part, while maintaining a uniform appearance in the deactivated state.
Implementation Method 1
optical elements in the form of at least one flat scattering element are arranged between the visible side and the illumination region in order to distribute the light from the light sources evenly over the surface of the visible side in the region in which it illuminates the optical scattering element over a distance
Implementation Method 2
light guides for guiding the light orthogonally to the surface of the visible side are arranged between the scattering element and at least one—but not all—of the light sources
Implementation Method 3
using light-emitting diodes for efficient energy use and customizable lighting effects
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated decorative part includes a flat visible side facing an observer and an illumination region behind the visible side as viewed by the observer, which has multiple discrete light sources. At least partially transparent optical elements that influence the light are arranged between the visible side and the illumination region. The optical elements include at least one flat scattering element. The decorative part includes light guides for guiding the light orthogonally to the surface of the visible side arranged between the scattering element and at least one—but not all—of the light sources.