Illuminated Trim Part With Embedded Lamps for Dynamic Light Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative parts in the automotive sector lack the ability to generate time- and intensity-variable light patterns, and require significant installation space due to separate light sources and guides, limiting their lighting effects and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A decorative part with a carrier element, embedded lamp carrier, and a transilluminable decorative layer, where the lamp carrier is surrounded by the carrier element and can emit light through translucent sections, allowing for independent control of groups of lamps to create variable light patterns, and featuring a perforated or transparent decorative layer for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light guides are used to illuminate the decorative layer uniformly, then uniform lighting is achieved, but time- and color-intensity-variable light patterns cannot be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative layer is divided into multiple independently controllable light-emitting segments or zones, each with its own light guide or LED element. This segmentation allows different sections to emit different colors and intensities independently, enabling variable light patterns while maintaining uniform illumination within each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system incorporates dynamic control capabilities where the illumination characteristics (color, intensity, pattern) of different segments can be changed over time according to control signals. This dynamic adjustment enables the generation of time- and color-intensity-variable light patterns while preserving uniform lighting effects.
2Ease of manufacture
If separate light sources and light guides are arranged next to each other behind the decorative layer, then lighting functionality is achieved, but installation space requirement increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The light source elements and light guide structures are merged into an integrated assembly that is pre-positioned behind the decorative layer. This combined structure reduces the overall installation space by eliminating the need for separate arrangements of light sources and light guides, while maintaining full lighting functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structures are nested within or around the light source elements, with the decorative layer subsequently positioned over this nested assembly. This nesting arrangement compactly integrates multiple functional components into a space-efficient configuration that preserves lighting performance while minimizing installation volume.
3Device complexity
If lamps are controlled uniformly without individual control capability, then system simplicity is maintained, but time- and intensity-variable light patterns cannot be generated
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is segmented into multiple independently controllable channels, each corresponding to a specific light-emitting segment or zone. This segmentation enables individual control of different lamp groups to generate variable light patterns, while each control channel remains relatively simple in structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system employs a universal control interface and signaling protocol that can address and control multiple lamp segments through a single system architecture. This multi-functional approach enables individual segment control while avoiding the need for separate complex control systems for each segment.
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, space-saving generation of time- and intensity-variable light patterns, enhancing lighting effects on the decorative part with controlled color and intensity variations.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one lamp carrier (11) is embedded in the carrier element (10) and is designed to emit light through at least some of the translucent sections (21) of the decorative layer (20) to the visible side (S) of the decorative part (1)
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The invention relates to an illuminatable trim part (1) having a visible side (S) and a rear side (R), which is opposite the visible side (S), the trim part (1) having a carrier element (10), at least one lamp carrier (11), and a decorative layer (20), which is arranged on a surface of the carrier element (10) facing the visible side (S) and through which light can be shone at least in some portions so that the decorative layer (20) has at least one portion (21) through which light can be shone, the at least one lamp carrier (11) being embedded in the carrier element (10) and being designed to emit light through at least part of the portions (21) of the decorative layer (20) through which light can be shone, towards the visible side (S) of the trim part, the lamp carrier (11) comprising multiple groups of lamps (12), which are each designed to generate and to emit light, the groups of lamps (12) being controllable independently of one another so that time- and intensity-variable light patterns can be produced.