Phosphorescent Interior Trim for UV Cleaning Status Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interiors lack a means to inform occupants about UV cleaning and warn them of potential UV hazards, as UV radiation is invisible and harmful.
Innovation Solution
A shaped part with a transparent top layer containing a UV-activatable phosphorescent additive that emits visible light, forming a cleaning or warning symbol when excited by UV radiation, combined with a UV illumination source, providing a 'hidden till lit' indication of cleaning status and hazard alert.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If UV radiation is used to clean vehicle interiors, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but visibility of cleaning status and hazard warning deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies phosphorescent additives that change from invisible or faintly visible in normal conditions to brightly luminous when excited by UV radiation. This allows the shaped part to indicate cleaning status through visible light emission during and after UV treatment, solving the visibility problem while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
2Loss of information
If phosphorescent additive is applied to indicate cleaning status, then information visibility is improved, but visual impact on design deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The phosphorescent additive dynamically changes its visibility based on UV excitation. In normal conditions, it remains invisible or faintly visible, preserving the aesthetic design. When UV radiation is applied, it becomes brightly luminous to convey cleaning status information, thus resolving the conflict between information visibility and design appearance.
3Loss of information
If fluorescent additive is used for immediate indication, then information visibility is improved, but duration of indication deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines phosphorescent and fluorescent additives in the shaped part. The fluorescent additive provides immediate, bright indication upon UV excitation, while the phosphorescent additive continues to emit light for an extended period after UV removal. This composite approach solves both the visibility and duration requirements for cleaning status indication.
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
Ensures prolonged visibility of cleaning status and UV hazard alert, minimizing visual impact on design and integrating seamlessly into existing parts.
Implementation Method 1
a UV-activatable phosphorescent additive which can be excited by a UV illumination source to emit light in the visible range and forms a luminous phosphorescent symbol
Implementation Method 2
a transparent or translucent top layer is arranged on the front side of the decorative layer
Data Source
AI summary
A shaped part includes a decorative layer with a front side designed as a visible side and a back side opposite the front side, and a carrier arranged on the back side of the decorative layer, wherein a transparent or translucent top layer is arranged on the front side of the decorative layer. The invention is characterized in that a UV-activatable phosphorescent additive is applied to the front side of the top layer and/or is at least partially incorporated into the top layer in a designated phosphorescent region, wherein the phosphorescent additive can be excited or is excitable by a UV illumination source to emit light in the visible range, and wherein the phosphorescent additive is applied to the front side of the top layer or is incorporated into the decorative layer in such a way that the phosphorescent additive forms a luminous phosphorescent symbol in the excited state.