Flexible Silicone Light Guide for Vehicle Interior Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The interior of a vehicle is difficult to illuminate safely during operation, as existing light sources can dazzle other road users and those in the vehicle, and current solutions do not provide sufficient upward illumination for tasks like reading.
Innovation Solution
A flexible lighting system comprising a light guide made partially of silicone, an emitting element connected optically to the light guide, and a reflector, which adapts to the shape of a carrier layer, using an adhesive connection and diffuser materials to distribute light evenly and safely within the vehicle interior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged in the vehicle interior, then illumination is provided, but glare and irritation to road users and passengers occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide as an intermediary element between the light source and the vehicle interior surfaces. The light guide conducts light from the source and emits it indirectly through its surface, which is integrated into the interior paneling. This intermediary approach diffuses the light and eliminates direct glare to road users and passengers while still providing effective illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional direct light source mounting with an optical conduction system. Instead of placing light sources directly where illumination is needed, the system uses optical principles (light guidance and emission through the light guide surface) to deliver light, substituting the mechanical arrangement of direct mounting with an optical field-based approach.
2Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged to illuminate the vehicle interior, then illumination is provided, but insufficient upward illumination is achieved for reading and other tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by integrating the light guide into specific regions of the vehicle interior paneling, particularly in areas where reading and task illumination are needed. The light guide is positioned and shaped to emit light locally in upward and lateral directions, providing targeted illumination for reading comfort without requiring multiple separate light sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible lighting system is designed to adapt to carrier shapes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible light guide made from elastomeric or polymeric materials that can be formed into various shapes and integrated into different vehicle interior components. This flexible shell approach allows the lighting system to adapt to curved surfaces and complex carrier geometries without requiring rigid structural elements or multiple assembly steps, thereby reducing overall system complexity despite the adaptability requirement.
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 provides safe and efficient illumination of the vehicle interior by adapting to the shape of the carrier, reducing glare and increasing light distribution, allowing for comfortable reading and reducing the need for multiple light sources or high energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light guide (3) consisting at least partially of silicone
Implementation Method 2
The at least one emitting element (5) is optically connected to at least one side with the at least one light guide (3)
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting system for an interior module of a vehicle, comprising at least one light source (17), at least one light guide (3), and at least one emission element (5). The at least one light guide (3) consists at least partly of silicone, and the at least one emission element (5) is optically connected to the at least one light guide (3) on at least one side. During the operation of the lighting system, the at least one emission element (5) is provided with light generated by the at least one light source (17) by means of the at least one light guide (3). The lighting system (1) is flexibly designed such that upon being connected to a support layer (25), the lighting system (1) adapts to the shape of the support layer (25).