Light Guide Decorative Lighting for Hidden Crystal-Like Displays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive decorative lighting elements rely on LEDs or incandescent bulbs to illuminate locally translucent areas, resulting in fixed illumination patterns with non-translucent areas, failing to achieve a transparent, crystal-like effect that is visible only when lit and invisible when off, and they do not consider lightweight materials for environmental performance.
Innovation Solution
A lighting assembly incorporating a light-transmitting thin film, a light guide with optically reflective information structures, and a side-emitting LED to illuminate and penetrate through decorative components, creating a crystal-like appearance with patterns visible only when activated and faintly visible when off, using materials like polycarbonate and silicone for weight reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If traditional LED components or incandescent bulbs are used to illuminate locally translucent areas, then the illumination function is achieved, but the transparent crystal-like visual effect cannot be realized and non-translucent areas are created
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the decorative trim. The light guide plate distributes light uniformly across the entire surface, including areas that would traditionally be non-translucent. This mediator enables the light to reach previously dark areas while maintaining the transparent appearance of the trim, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving illumination and preserving the transparent crystal-like visual effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameters by using a side-emitting LED combined with a light guide plate to achieve uniform light distribution across the entire surface. This parameter change allows the light to be distributed in a way that illuminates all areas including those that need to remain transparent, eliminating the non-translucent areas created by traditional direct illumination methods.
2Illumination intensity
If conventional direct illumination methods are used, then the illumination pattern is determined by the translucent pattern, but the ability to display customizable patterns is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the illumination function by separating the light source (side-emitting LED) from the pattern formation function (optically reflective information structure on the light guide plate). This segmentation allows the pattern to be independently controlled and changed without affecting the illumination system, enabling customizable patterns to be displayed on the transparent trim while maintaining uniform illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate with optically reflective information structure serves as an intermediary that decouples the illumination function from the pattern display function. This intermediary allows patterns to be superimposed on the uniformly illuminated surface, enabling customizable pattern display while maintaining the illumination quality, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination pattern determination and adaptability.
3Illumination intensity
If traditional decorative lighting elements are used, then the basic illumination function is achieved, but the environmental performance and weight are suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a light guide plate and thin film structures instead of traditional bulky lighting components. The light guide plate is a thin, lightweight component that can be easily integrated into the decorative trim, significantly reducing the overall weight of the lighting module while maintaining the illumination function. This approach aligns with the trend toward lighter materials in automotive interior design to improve fuel efficiency and environmental performance.
4Illumination intensity
If conventional lighting designs are used, then the illumination is achieved, but the power consumption is higher
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional incandescent bulbs or standard LED modules with a side-emitting LED combined with a light guide plate system. This substitution creates a more efficient light distribution mechanism that reduces power consumption. The side-emitting LED with light guide plate achieves uniform illumination with lower energy input compared to conventional direct illumination methods, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination output and power consumption.
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 assembly achieves a transparent, crystal-like visual effect with adjustable illumination patterns, reduces weight and energy consumption, and enhances aesthetic appeal while maintaining environmental friendliness.
Implementation Method 1
a first light source emitting a first light
Implementation Method 2
the first light illuminates the first optically reflective information structure
Implementation Method 3
the first light penetrates through the first decorative component and the light-transmitting thin film to render the first information to be displayed on a display surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting assembly. The lighting assembly includes: a first decorative component; a light-transmitting thin film attached to the first decorative component; and a first light guide configured adjacent to the first decorative component and including a first optically reflective information structure attached to the first light guide and including a first information and a first light source emitting a first light, wherein the first light illuminates the first optically reflective information structure and penetrates through the first decorative component and the light-transmitting thin film to render the first information to be displayed on a display surface, when the first light source is activated.