Illuminated Window Assemblies with Varying Thickness Light-Diffusing Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicular interior lighting solutions using LED sources face challenges due to directional light output, leading to high contrast and shadowing, and existing solutions that address this issue often require additional packaging and increased costs, making them less prevalent in vehicle interiors.
Innovation Solution
The use of an illuminated window assembly comprising a glass substrate, a metal light barrier, a light-diffusing element with varying thickness, and a fluorosilane coating, combined with LED sources configured to direct light into the light-diffusing element, which scatters the light to produce a uniform and aesthetically pleasing illumination pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED sources are used for vehicular interior lighting, then energy efficiency and light intensity are improved, but directional light output causes high contrast and shadowing
Solution Approach 1:
A light-diffusing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the LED source and the vehicle interior. This element receives directional light from the LED and transforms it into diffuse, uniform illumination, eliminating shadows and high contrast while preserving the energy efficiency of LED technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-diffusing element changes the directional parameters of light propagation. By altering the angular distribution and spatial characteristics of light transmission, the element converts concentrated directional beams into evenly distributed illumination across the vehicle interior.
2Illumination intensity
If optics are coupled to LED sources to shape light output, then uniform illumination is achieved, but packaging size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light-diffusing element is implemented as a thin film or flexible sheet that can be directly applied to or integrated with existing window or roof structures. This approach achieves uniform light distribution without requiring bulky optical components or complex packaging modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The light-diffusing element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it diffuses light for uniform illumination, maintains structural integration with existing vehicle components, and avoids additional packaging requirements. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity while achieving the desired lighting effect.
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
This configuration allows for the creation of uniform and aesthetically desirable LED-based vehicular interior lighting with minimal packaging constraints and low manufacturing costs, providing efficient and cost-effective solutions for vehicular applications such as moon roofs and sun roofs.
Implementation Method 1
a light-diffusing element contacting the barrier... LED sources configured to direct incident light into the first opposed edge
Implementation Method 2
a fluorosilane coating contacting the element
Data Source
AI summary
An illuminated window assembly that includes a glass substrate; a light barrier over the substrate having a reflective interior-facing and a tinted exterior-facing surface; a light-diffusing element over the barrier having first and second opposed edges; and an LED source or spaced LED sources configured to direct incident light into the first opposed edge. Further, a thickness of the element at the first opposed edge is greater than a thickness at the second opposed edge. The LED sources can also be directed into both the first and second opposed edges, wherein a thickness of the element at the first and the second opposed edge is greater than a thickness between the opposed edges.