Motor Vehicle Interior Lighting Control via Segmented Peripheral Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle interior lighting systems lack efficient and centralized control mechanisms to generate complex lighting effects, such as running lights, while also providing hazard alerts to drivers, which can be distracting and difficult to implement without overloading data bus technologies.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle system comprising a central light control device and multiple peripheral light control devices, each controlling a set of interior light modules via a data bus, where light effect identifiers are transmitted to generate predefined lighting effects, including running lights, and a hazard detection device outputs specific identifiers to trigger attention and running lights in response to detected hazards, allowing for synchronized and decentralized control of light sources across the vehicle.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a central control device controls all light sources directly, then centralized control is achieved, but data bus load increases and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentralized controlVSAvoiddata bus load
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control system is segmented into a central control device that sends light effect identifiers and multiple peripheral light control devices that execute the effects. This segmentation distributes the control burden, reducing data bus load while maintaining centralized coordination. Each peripheral device independently controls its assigned light sources based on received identifiers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Light effect identifiers act as intermediaries between the central control device and peripheral light control devices. Instead of the central device directly controlling each light source, it transmits compact identifier signals that peripheral devices interpret and execute, significantly reducing data bus communication load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple light control devices are distributed throughout the vehicle, then control flexibility improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol flexibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple peripheral light control devices are equipped with identical control functionality and memory structures. Each device can store and execute the same set of light effect identifiers, allowing any device to perform any lighting effect. This universal design provides control flexibility while using standardized, replicable components rather than complex custom designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The control functionality is copied across multiple peripheral devices rather than creating a complex hierarchical control structure. Each peripheral device contains a copy of the light effect identifier storage and execution capability, simplifying the overall system architecture through replication of simple, identical units.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If complex lighting effects are implemented, then lighting functionality improves, but data bus load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting effectsVSAvoiddata bus communication
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Light effect identifiers are pre-defined and stored in the peripheral light control devices' memory before execution. When a lighting effect is desired, the central device simply transmits the pre-packaged identifier rather than sending detailed control parameters, reducing real-time data bus load while enabling complex lighting effects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from transmitting detailed control parameters for each light source to transmitting compact light effect identifiers. This parameter transformation condenses complex lighting effect definitions into simple identifier signals, reducing data bus communication requirements while maintaining lighting effect versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3478536B1Motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3478536B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3478536B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle, comprising a central light control unit, a plurality of peripheral light control units distributed within the vehicle, and a plurality of interior light modules, each of which comprises a plurality of light sources and is associated with a peripheral light control unit, wherein, as a result of the receipt of a specified light effect identification by the peripheral light control units, a moving light is produced by the interior light modules associated with the peripheral light control units.