Illuminated Vehicle Trim Panel With Integrated Light Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior trim panels lack the ability to provide a self-illuminated, decorative ambient lighting effect within the passenger compartment.
Innovation Solution
A clear plastic trim panel insert with a rear reflective surface and an integrated light pipe that directs light internally to illuminate the panel, creating a glowing effect across its surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a conventional trim panel structure is used, then manufacturing simplicity and structural conventionalness are maintained, but the ability to provide self-illuminated ambient lighting effect is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated panel: the clear plastic panel serves as both the structural trim panel and the light-transmitting medium, while the reflective backing integrates with the panel to create the illuminated effect. This merging allows the panel to provide self-illuminated ambient lighting without requiring a completely separate complex lighting system.
Solution Approach 2:
The clear plastic panel acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the passenger compartment. It transmits and diffuses light to create the ambient lighting effect, while the reflective backing serves as an intermediary to redirect light within the panel structure, enhancing the illumination without requiring direct light exposure from external sources.
2Illumination intensity
If light is directed into the clear plastic edge wall to illuminate the entire surface area, then a distinctive ambient lighting effect is achieved, but light distribution uniformity and optical path complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective backing dimension behind the clear plastic panel to create a light distribution system. By adding this second dimension (the reflective surface), light entering through the edge wall is redirected multiple times within the panel structure, achieving uniform surface illumination without requiring complex internal optical elements within the panel itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The clear plastic panel structure serves its own illumination needs by utilizing its inherent optical properties (transparency and refraction) combined with the reflective backing. The panel's edge wall geometry and material properties naturally guide and distribute light across the surface, reducing the need for additional active optical control mechanisms.
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 distinctive and decorative ambient lighting effect within the vehicle interior, enhancing aesthetics while maintaining a conventional trim panel structure.
Implementation Method 1
A light pipe extends alongside the clear plastic edge wall and directs light into the clear plastic edge wall so that the light is reflected within the clear plastic material
Implementation Method 2
The insert panel has a clear plastic edge wall located beyond the opening of the trim panel. A light pipe extends alongside the clear plastic edge wall and directs light into the clear plastic edge wall so that the light is reflected within the clear plastic material and onto the rear reflective surface
Data Source
AI summary
A trim panel for a vehicle interior provides a distinctive ambient lighting effect. The trim panel has an opening therein and an illuminated insert panel is mounted on the trim panel within the opening. The insert panel is molded of a clear plastic material and has a front face located in the opening and a painted or other rear reflective surface. The insert panel has a clear plastic edge wall located beyond the opening of the trim panel. A light pipe extends alongside the clear plastic edge wall and directs light into the clear plastic edge wall so that the light reflects within the clear plastic material and onto the rear reflective surface of the insert panel to illuminate the insert panel over its entire surface area facing through the opening of the interior trim panel.