Vehicle Interior Light Guide Cover for Hidden Icon Interfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior components lack an effective and aesthetically pleasing user interface system that integrates a light display and input device, failing to provide a seamless interaction experience for vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior component featuring a composite structure with a cover and a light guide, where the light guide is configured to transmit light from a light source to a user interface, incorporating a projection that fits within a recess in the cover, allowing for a hidden icon display when illuminated and an input device such as sensors or buttons, enhancing user interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If a light guide with projection is used to transmit light to the user interface, then the light transmission efficiency is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirement increases due to the need for precise fitting within the recess
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide projection is nested within the recess of the cover, creating a integrated structure where the projection fits precisely into the recess to transmit light efficiently while maintaining a compact design. This nesting approach allows the light guide to be embedded within the cover structure, improving light transmission while managing manufacturing tolerances through the interlocking geometry of the projection and recess.
2Shape
If the cover is configured to hide the icon when the light source is off, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the additional cover structure
Solution Approach 1:
The cover is merged with the light guide structure, where the cover serves dual functions: protecting the light guide and hiding the icon when the light source is off. The recess in the cover is specifically designed to accommodate the light guide projection, integrating the aesthetic hiding function with the light transmission function in a single unified structure, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with a specific local quality - the recess - that provides the hiding function only where needed. The recess is positioned and dimensioned to match the light guide projection, creating a localized solution that hides the icon when not illuminated while maintaining transparency or visibility when the light source is active. This localized approach minimizes the overall complexity of the cover structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a composite structure with cover and light guide is used, then the user interface functionality is improved, but the ease of manufacture decreases due to the multi-component assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The user interface is segmented into distinct functional components: the cover, the light guide with projection, and the light source. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with optimized processes, then assembled through the precision-fit projection-recess interface. The segmentation enables modular manufacturing and assembly, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining enhanced user interface functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide is nested within the cover structure, with the projection fitting into the recess. This nesting creates a hierarchical assembly where the light guide is contained within the cover, simplifying the overall assembly process. The nested structure reduces the number of separate assembly steps and allows for integrated manufacturing approaches, thereby improving ease of manufacture while maintaining the composite structure's functional advantages.
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 provides a visually appealing and functional user interface that enhances occupant interaction with vehicle systems, offering a seamless integration of light displays and input devices, improving the overall user experience.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide configured to allow transmission of light from the at least one light source to the user interface
Data Source
AI summary
A component for a vehicle interior may comprise a light guide to allow light transmission from a light source for a user interface, and a cover to cover the light guide. The user interface may be presented at the cover. The cover may comprise a depression in an inner surface of the cover and the light guide may comprise a projection comprising a light-transmissive resin fit within the depression. The projection may comprise an icon to be presented at the user interface when illuminated, and to be hidden by the cover when not illuminated. The user interface may comprise a light display and an input device connected to a sensor. The icon may comprise an image. The cover thickness may be greater than the projection height. The component may comprise a steering wheel, console, floor console, center console, instrument panel, door panel, dashboard, display, armrest, or cockpit.