Micro Perforated Leather Lighting for Vehicle Interiors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for directing light in vehicle interiors, such as lenses or parabolic reflectors, are expensive and difficult to manufacture due to the need for multiple individual elements, and they often result in diffuse lighting that can blind occupants.
Innovation Solution
A micro perforated leather with cylindrical holes of specific dimensions (20-50 µm diameter and 1-2 mm length) is used, allowing for directed light emission through the leather, with a lighting element on the backside to provide focused illumination while minimizing diffusion and visibility of the holes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If lenses or parabolic reflectors are used to direct light, then light direction is achieved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase due to multiple individual elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the light directing function with the leather material itself by creating cylindrical holes directly within the leather structure. This integration eliminates the need for separate lenses or reflectors, as the leather's internal geometry performs both structural and optical directing functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a porous structure (cylindrical holes) within the leather material to achieve light direction. The specific geometry of these pores (cylindrical shape with defined dimensions) enables controlled light passage and direction without requiring additional optical components.
2Illumination intensity
If traditional lighting elements are used, then illumination is provided, but diffuse lighting causes blinding of occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating specific cylindrical holes at specific locations within the leather with precise dimensional characteristics. This localized structural modification enables directional light emission from specific points, converting diffuse lighting into directed beams that illuminate without blinding occupants.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the leather structure by introducing cylindrical holes with specific diameter (20-50 μm) and length (1-2 mm) ratios. This parameter modification transforms the light emission characteristics from diffuse to directed, controlling the illumination pattern to prevent blinding while maintaining effectiveness.
3Use of energy by moving object
If hole diameter is increased to improve light emitting efficiency, then more light passes through, but holes become visible to users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the diameter parameter within a specific range (20-50 μm) to balance two competing requirements: large enough to allow sufficient light transmission for efficiency, but small enough to remain invisible to the human eye. This precise parameter control resolves the contradiction between visibility and efficiency.
4Use of energy by moving object
If hole length is decreased to improve light emitting efficiency, then more light passes through, but light direction capability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the hole length parameter (1-2 mm) to achieve the optimal balance between light transmission efficiency and directional control. The length is sufficient to provide directionality through geometric optics while not being so long as to excessively restrict light passage, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and direction.
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 well-directed light with a narrow view angle, preventing blinding and enhancing ambient lighting, while maintaining high light efficiency and hiding the lighting functionality from observers, thus providing effective and aesthetically integrated illumination in vehicle interiors.
Implementation Method 1
the holes have a cylindrical shape, wherein the diameter of the holes is in between 20-50 μm and the length of the holes is in between 1-2 mm, wherein the leather further comprises a lighting element adapted for emanating light, wherein the lighting element and the leather are arranged to enable passage of the emanated light through the holes
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a micro perforated leather (100), wherein due to the micro perforation the leather (100) comprises a multitude of holes (104), wherein the holes (104) have a cylindrical shape, wherein the diameter of the holes (104) is in between 20 to 50 micrometers and the length of the holes (104) is in between 1 to 2 millimeters, wherein the leather (100) further comprises a lighting element (102;208) adapted for emanating light, wherein the lighting element (102;208) and the leather (100) are arranged to enable passage the emanated light through the holes (104).