Vehicle Interior Light Reflector Chamber for Homogeneous Emission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices for motor vehicles fail to achieve high homogeneity in light emission, which is crucial for automotive applications, and are often bulky and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A compact lighting device with an elongated housing serving as a reflector, featuring a G-shaped cross-section and a flexible carrier for LEDs, which allows for diffuse reflection and efficient light distribution, using highly reflective materials or coatings to enhance homogeneity and brightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If conventional lighting devices are used, then light emission is achieved, but homogeneity of light emission is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehomogeneity of light emissionVSAvoiduniformity of light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is divided into multiple modular units, each containing a circuit board with LEDs arranged in specific patterns. This segmentation allows precise control and optimization of light emission from each module, contributing to overall homogeneity when assembled into the complete lighting device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing is designed with specifically shaped reflector surfaces and light-diffusing elements in strategic locations. These local optical features are engineered to redirect and diffuse light from LED sources, transforming point-source emission into homogeneous illumination across the entire light exit surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If conventional lighting devices are used, then light emission is achieved, but the device structure is bulky

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight emission capabilityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional components are merged into integrated assemblies: the circuit board serves as both the electrical carrier and structural support for LEDs, while the housing simultaneously provides mechanical protection, optical reflection, and light diffusion functions. This merging eliminates the need for separate components, reducing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting device utilizes three-dimensional optical paths within the housing, with light reflecting off angled surfaces and passing through diffusing elements before exiting. This spatial arrangement of optical components achieves homogeneous illumination in a compact volume by exploiting volumetric light distribution rather than simple planar arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If conventional lighting devices are used, then light emission is achieved, but light efficiency is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight efficiencyVSAvoidlight output efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The device replaces traditional bulb-based illumination with LED light-emitting diodes, which convert electrical energy to light more efficiently. This substitution of the light generation mechanism fundamentally improves energy efficiency and reduces energy loss while maintaining or enhancing light output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing incorporates composite optical structures combining reflective surfaces and light-diffusing materials in specific configurations. These composite optical pathways maximize the utilization of generated light by directing it through multiple reflection and diffusion stages, minimizing energy loss and improving overall light extraction efficiency from the compact LED sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 achieves extremely homogeneous light emission with high efficiency, allowing for clear visibility during the day while maintaining a compact design and reducing production costs through flexible manufacturing options.

Implementation Method 1

at least one reflector chamber (22) in which light rays (L) emitted or emitted by the illuminants (26) can be diffusely reflected or are reflected

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffuse reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the housing has a G-shaped cross-section. Such a cross-section allows the aforementioned reflector chamber and the light exit to be created easily. In particular, a G-shaped cross-section enables a large light path of the light emitted by the lamps relative to the installation space

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection and redirection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3631290B1Lighting device for lighting the interior of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.06.19 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3631290B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3631290B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3631290B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device (2) for lighting the interior of a motor vehicle, having an oblong housing (G), by means of which a belt-like carrier (25) having a plurality of light sources (26) is held. The invention is characterized in that the housing (G) is designed as a reflector element, which has at least one reflector chamber (22), in which light beams (L), which are emitted or can be emitted from the light sources (26), can be or are reflected in a diffuse manner before the light beams arrive at a light emission opening (23a). The features of the invention provide a lighting device by means of which an extremely homogeneous light emission is possible with an extremely compact design.