Optically Activated Symbol Body for Vehicle Touch Interface Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing area light decorative elements in vehicles cannot simultaneously provide decorative illumination and functional identification of operating positions through situationally illuminated symbols, as they either lack dynamic lighting or conflict with touch-sensitive operations.
Innovation Solution
An area light decorative element comprising an optically activatable symbol body made of transparent material, a touch-sensitive surface, and an illumination unit that emits visible light and electromagnetic radiation in specific frequency ranges, allowing for adjustable and context-dependent illumination and symbol visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If area light decorative elements are combined with switches or touch-sensitive sensor systems, then operating functions can be activated, but dark areas result where no light is emitted making touch operation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit is segmented into multiple independent light elements that can be selectively activated. When a touch is detected in a specific area, only the corresponding light element is activated to illuminate that specific touch area, while other areas continue to provide decorative illumination. This segmentation allows touch areas to be clearly marked without creating completely dark regions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the area light decorative element are assigned different functions: some areas provide continuous decorative illumination while specific localized areas are equipped with touch-sensitive surfaces that can be selectively illuminated. The illumination unit provides different illumination characteristics to different regions, ensuring that touch areas are clearly marked while maintaining overall decorative lighting.
2Ease of manufacture
If symbols are made statically non-luminous, then manufacturing is simpler, but symbols are not visible under varying ambient light conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The symbols transition from static non-luminous elements to dynamically luminous elements. The optically activatable symbol bodies remain transparent or opaque in the non-activated state (simple manufacturing), but become illuminated when the illumination unit activates the corresponding light elements. This dynamic illumination allows symbols to be clearly visible under varying ambient light conditions while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The optically activatable symbol bodies change their optical properties when activated. In the non-activated state, they maintain their original transparent or opaque appearance (easy manufacturing). When the illumination unit activates the corresponding light elements, the symbol bodies become luminous and visible, providing clear symbol identification under varying ambient light conditions.
3Illumination intensity
If the entire surface emits light for decorative illumination, then interior illumination is achieved, but specific touch areas cannot be clearly marked
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination unit is divided into multiple independent light elements corresponding to different functional areas. This segmentation allows selective activation of specific light elements to mark touch areas, while other light elements continue to provide decorative illumination. The segmentation enables clear differentiation between decorative lighting and functional touch area marking.
Solution Approach 2:
The optically activatable symbol bodies act as intermediaries between the light elements and the user. When light elements are activated, the symbol bodies become luminous and clearly mark the touch areas. The symbol bodies mediate the information transfer from the illumination system to the user, enabling clear touch area identification while maintaining overall decorative illumination.
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
Enables effective decorative illumination and functional marking of touch-sensitive areas within vehicles, ensuring clear visibility of symbols and operation functionality while adapting to ambient light conditions.
Implementation Method 1
configured to emit visible light in response to the optically activatable symbol body being excited with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined first frequency range
Implementation Method 2
an illumination unit which is configured to emit visible light in a predetermined visible frequency range into the light element and, together with the visible light, also to emit electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined first frequency range into the light element
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an area light decorative element (1) comprising an optically activatable symbol body (2) at least partially formed of a transparent optically activatable first material (9) and configured to emit visible light in response to the optically activatable symbol body (2) being excited with electromagnetic radiation in a predetermined first frequency range, a light element (3) consisting of a transparent material, wherein the optically activatable symbol body (2) is arranged in the light element (3), a touch-sensitive surface (4) disposed in a first area (5) of a surface of the light element (3) above the optically activatable symbol body (2) for detecting a touch of a user in the first area (5), and an illumination unit (6) which is arranged to emit visible light in a predetermined visible frequency range (22) into the light element (3) and, together with the visible light, also to emit electromagnetic radiation in the predetermined first frequency range into the light element (3).