Optical Device Integrated into Vehicle Air-Conditioning Duct
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing air conditioning systems in motor vehicles lack an inexpensive and simple way to provide visual feedback on their operation, which can enhance user perception of correct functioning.
Innovation Solution
A light assembly with an optical device is integrated into the air conditioning system, featuring an optical element that receives light from a source outside the duct and diffuses it internally, using total internal reflections or refractions to illuminate the air conditioning pipes, allowing for indirect lighting without requiring extensive integration into the pipe structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a light assembly is integrated into the air conditioning duct to provide visual feedback, then user perception of correct operation is improved, but device complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical device is merged with the air conditioning duct structure, where the optical element is positioned within the duct to receive light from an external light source and guide it along the duct path. This integration allows the lighting function to be combined with the existing air conditioning structure, providing visual feedback without requiring a completely separate lighting system
Solution Approach 2:
An optical element acts as an intermediary between the external light source and the interior of the air conditioning duct. The optical element receives light rays from a light source placed outside the duct and guides them along the duct path, enabling indirect illumination of the duct interior without placing the light source inside the confined space
2Ease of manufacture
If the light source is placed outside the air conditioning duct, then ease of installation is improved, but illumination effectiveness may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element serves as a mediator that transfers light from the external light source into the air conditioning duct. It receives light rays from outside the duct and guides them along the duct path, ensuring that the illumination effectiveness is maintained despite the light source being positioned outside the duct for easier installation
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is positioned at an angle relative to the duct axis, with its input face receiving light from a direction perpendicular to the duct length. This angular positioning allows the optical element to effectively redirect light from the external source along the duct interior, optimizing illumination coverage
3Area of stationary object
If the optical element uses total internal reflection to guide light, then illumination coverage is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is positioned at an angular orientation relative to the duct axis, with its input face perpendicular to the duct length and its output face inclined at a specific angle. This angular positioning creates the necessary conditions for total internal reflection to occur at the output face, enabling light to be guided along the duct interior while maintaining reasonable manufacturing tolerances
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
This solution provides a cost-effective and easy-to-implement lighting system that offers precise positioning and dual functionality of internal illumination and air interconnection, enhancing user feedback on the air conditioning system's operation without complicating the assembly process.
Implementation Method 1
the rays of light are guided in the optical guide element from this entry face to the exit face, by successive total internal reflections
Implementation Method 2
the exit face is oriented so that the rays adapted to cross it by refraction are directed towards the inside of the air conditioning pipe
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a light assembly comprising an optical device (1) that can be mounted on an air-conditioning channel (2, 6) of a vehicle. This optical device comprises means for fastening same to the channel, and it comprises an optical element (8) suitable for receiving, via an inlet face (38), the light rays emitted by at least one light source (10) positioned outside the channel, and diffusing said rays via an outlet face (44) facing the inside of said channel. The optical device therefore allows the elements of the air-conditioning channel to be interconnected, while supporting the means for illuminating the inside of said channel. The invention also relates to a vehicle provided with an air-conditioning assembly of which the channels are lit from the inside by the optical device of the light assembly, controlled by means of instructions from the control module of said air-conditioning assembly.