Illuminated Decorative Shaped Part With Conductive Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative and panel parts in vehicle interiors lack the ability to efficiently integrate both optical light effects and electrical functionality without requiring additional components or production steps.
Innovation Solution
A shaped part with a translucent decorative layer and a functional layer that incorporates an electrically conductive and light-conducting functional structure, which can be self-illuminating and serves as both a light guide and electrical contact, eliminating the need for separate components and steps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If separate light guide and electrical contact components are used, then both functions are fulfilled, but device complexity and production steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light guide function and electrical contact function into a single functional structure. This functional structure comprises a translucent decorative layer with a front side and a back side, a functional layer on the back side of the decorative layer, and a carrier on a back side of the shaped part, with a functional structure arranged on or in the functional layer and/or on the back side of the decorative layer that is both electrically conductive and light-conducting. By merging these two functions into one component, the patent reduces device complexity and eliminates the need for separate components and additional production steps while ensuring both illumination and electrical connectivity are reliably achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional structure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it serves as both a light guide for realizing illumination effects and as an electrical contact for electrical connectivity. The functional structure can be formed by conductive tracks from light-conducting wires, or by paste, lacquer, or paint that is made electrically conductive using additives. This multi-functional design allows a single component to fulfill both the optical illumination function and the electrical connection function, thereby reducing overall device complexity and streamlining production.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple separate components are used for light and electrical functions, then functional requirements are met, but manufacturing cost and production time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide and electrical contact components into a single functional structure, reducing the number of components from multiple separate parts to one integrated structure. This functional structure is arranged on or in the functional layer and/or on the back side of the decorative layer, and can be formed by applying conductive tracks, paste, lacquer, or paint in a single manufacturing process. This consolidation reduces both the quantity of components and the number of production steps, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and reducing production time.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional structure is designed as a universal component that simultaneously provides light guidance and electrical contact functionality. By using materials such as light-conducting wires, conductive paste, or conductive lacquer/paint that possess both optical and electrical properties, the patent enables a single component to fulfill multiple functional requirements. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the manufacturing process, leading to cost-effective production with fewer assembly steps.
3Illumination intensity
If additional components are added for illumination function, then light effects are achieved, but part structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function with the existing functional structure by making the functional structure itself light-conducting. The functional structure can be formed by conductive tracks from light-conducting wires, or by paste, lacquer, or paint that conducts both electricity and light. This merging approach allows illumination effects to be achieved without adding separate light guide components, thereby maintaining simple part structure while enabling effective light effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The functional structure is designed to serve multiple purposes: electrical contact and light guidance for illumination effects. By using materials with dual properties (electrically conductive and light-conducting), the patent enables the same structural element to provide both electrical connectivity and optical illumination. This eliminates the need for additional dedicated light guide components, keeping the part structure simple while achieving the desired light effects.
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 cost-effective integration of light and electrical functions, reducing the part's structure and complexity while providing a 3-D illuminated design.
Implementation Method 1
the functional structure is designed to be, on the one hand, electrically conductive and, on the other, light-conducting for realizing an illumination function of the shaped part
Implementation Method 2
In the case of fluorescent admixtures, incident light leads directly to light emission by the admixtures
Implementation Method 3
In the case of phosphorescent admixtures, the energy radiated by the light is at least partially stored by the admixtures and gradually released, even if the incident light has already been switched off again
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shaped part comprising a translucent decorative layer with a front side designed as a visible side and a back side opposite the front side, a functional layer arranged on the back side of the decorative layer, and a carrier arranged on a back side of the shaped part. The invention is characterized in that a functional structure is arranged on or in the functional layer and/or on the back side of the decorative layer, wherein the functional structure is, on the one hand, electrically conductive and, on the other, light-conducting for realizing an illumination function of the shaped part.