Vehicle Interior Illumination Reflector Cones for Segmented Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior illumination units lack customization and dynamic control over light distribution, resulting in uniform illumination that fails to enhance the aesthetic quality and individuality of interior designs.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior illumination unit featuring a front diffuser panel, a rear illumination panel with light sources, and a reflector with peripheral and central reflector cones that allow for customized light guidance, enabling differential illumination of fields and a gradual transition to darkness, using LEDs of varying intensities and colors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a plurality of light sources are spaced equally to illuminate uniformly, then homogeneous light emission is achieved, but the light distribution cannot be segmented or controlled dynamically
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is segmented into multiple reflector cones (first plurality and second plurality) with different geometries. Each reflector cone can be associated with specific light sources to create segmented light distribution patterns. This allows different regions of the diffuser panel to be illuminated differently, enabling dynamic control and individual customization of light zones while maintaining overall uniform illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Different reflector cones are designed with different cross-sectional geometries (e.g., triangular, quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal) and different sizes. The first plurality of reflector cones have different cross-sections than the second plurality, allowing each local region to have tailored light guidance properties. This enables homogeneous overall illumination while allowing local customization of light distribution patterns.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If light sources are covered toward the front diffuser panel, then individual light sources are not perceptible, but customization of light distribution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is divided into multiple reflector cones that guide light from different light sources to different regions of the diffuser panel. This segmentation allows individual light sources to be controlled independently while their light is distributed across multiple zones, enabling customization without making individual sources visible.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector cones act as intermediary elements between the light sources and the diffuser panel. They shape and redirect light in controlled patterns, allowing customization of light distribution while the diffuser panel maintains a uniform appearance without visible individual light sources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If reflector cones are used to guide light to the diffuser panel, then customized light distribution is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple reflector cones with different cross-sectional geometries are combined into a single integrated reflector structure. This merging approach achieves customized light distribution for different regions while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate reflector components, simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
4Illumination intensity
If outer reflector cones have larger cross sections to guide light to peripheral edges, then gradual transition to darkness is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector cones exhibit asymmetric design where outer reflector cones have different (larger) cross-sectional dimensions than inner reflector cones. This asymmetric geometry is specifically designed to guide light gradually toward the peripheral edges, creating a natural fade effect. The asymmetric design is integrated into the manufacturing process rather than requiring post-manufacturing adjustment.
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 a highly customizable and aesthetically enhanced illumination system with dynamic control over light distribution, allowing for varied brightness and color across different fields, creating a seamless transition to darkness at the edges, thus improving the overall interior lighting quality.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector provided between the diffuser panel and the illumination panel and having a plurality of adjacent reflector cones extending from associated light sources in a direction towards the diffuser panel
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior illumination unit has a front diffuser panel and a rear reflector having centric and outer reflector cones into which light sources arranged on an illumination panel protrude at the rear. The centric and outer reflector cones widen towards the front diffuser panel and preferably have different cross sections.