Vehicle Interior Lighting Module With Dual Optical Guides

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle interior lighting modules face challenges in meeting multiple lighting needs due to the limited space available in the ceiling light, leading to expensive designs and complex integration.

Innovation Solution

A lighting module comprising at least two light sources, each associated with an optical guide, integrated on a single flat substrate, facilitating electrical connections and allowing generation of distinct light functions, including reading lights and ambient lighting, with optical axes oriented differently to achieve focused and dispersed light beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources and lighting modules are integrated into the ceiling light to meet various lighting needs, then lighting functionality is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources (first and second light sources) and their respective optical guides onto a single substrate, creating an integrated lighting module. This merging approach maintains multiple lighting functions (reading light and ambient light) while reducing the overall number of separate components, thereby decreasing device complexity and facilitating easier integration into the ceiling light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting module is designed as a universal unit that can perform multiple lighting functions simultaneously. The first light source with its optical guide provides focused reading light, while the second light source with its optical guide provides ambient lighting. This multi-functional design allows a single integrated module to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate lighting components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources and lighting modules are integrated into the ceiling light to meet various lighting needs, then lighting functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources (first and second light sources) and their respective optical guides onto a single substrate, creating an integrated lighting module. This merging approach maintains multiple lighting functions (reading light and ambient light) while reducing the overall number of separate components, thereby decreasing device complexity and facilitating easier integration into the ceiling light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light sources and lighting modules are integrated into the ceiling light to meet various lighting needs, then lighting functionality is improved, but integration difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidintegration difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light sources (first and second light sources) and their respective optical guides onto a single substrate, creating an integrated lighting module. This merging approach maintains multiple lighting functions (reading light and ambient light) while reducing the overall number of separate components, thereby decreasing device complexity and facilitating easier integration into the ceiling light.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Facilitates easier integration into the vehicle ceiling light, reduces manufacturing costs, and enhances lighting flexibility by allowing multiple functions with reduced complexity and space requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an optical guide (130a, 130b) associated with each light source (110a, 110b) in order to shape the light rays generated by the light source (110a, 110b) and to form a shaped light beam

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOptical refraction and reflection: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3381748B1Interior lighting module for a motor vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.09.03 VALEO VISION SA

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Figure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to an interior lighting module (100) for a motor vehicle passenger compartment (1), said lighting module (100) comprising at least two light sources (110a, 110b), each light source (110a, 110b ) being associated with an optical guide (130a, 130b) in order to place at least two distinct light beams. The lighting module (100) thus makes it possible to produce at least two light functions, preferably distinct from each other. According to the invention, the light sources (110a, 110b) of the lighting module (100) are integral with the same flat substrate (120) in order to facilitate its integration into the passenger compartment (1) of the motor vehicle and to facilitate establishing electrical connections with the electrical circuit of said passenger compartment (1). The invention also relates to a motor vehicle passenger compartment (1) comprising such an interior lighting module (100).