Programmable LED Lighting Fixture for Vehicle Seating

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional lighting fixtures in passenger vehicles are limited in directing light beams, requiring one fixture per seat and lacking flexibility to cover multiple non-contiguous areas efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A programmable and alternately configurable lighting fixture with a housing, substrate, illumination array, and interchangeable lens assembly, powered by a controller to produce multiple distinct light beam patterns that can be directed to various seating areas, allowing a single fixture to serve multiple seats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lighting fixtures are used with limited beam direction capability, then each fixture can only illuminate a specific sub-region, but this requires one fixture per seat resulting in high installation complexity and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting area coverageVSAvoidnumber of fixtures required

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single lighting fixture to perform multiple functions: it can illuminate multiple non-contiguous seating areas simultaneously by selectively powering different illumination elements to create distinct light beam patterns, replacing the need for multiple single-function fixtures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination array is segmented into multiple independently controllable illumination elements that can be selectively powered to create different light beam patterns directed at different seating areas, allowing the fixture to serve multiple zones simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional lighting fixtures with fixed beam patterns are used, then installation is simplified, but the system lacks flexibility to adapt to different seating configurations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseating configuration adaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting fixture employs dynamic control through a controller that can selectively power different illumination elements to create variable light beam patterns, allowing the system to adapt to different seating configurations rather than being fixed to a single pattern

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fixture is designed as a universal lighting solution that can serve multiple seating configurations and arrangements through its ability to generate multiple distinct light beam patterns from a single fixture location

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If multiple lighting fixtures are installed to cover various seating areas, then adequate illumination is achieved, but the cost and installation complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting coverageVSAvoidnumber of fixtures

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple separate lighting fixtures into a single integrated fixture that can illuminate multiple non-contiguous seating areas simultaneously through its array of illumination elements and selective powering capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single fixture is designed to perform the work of multiple fixtures by generating multiple distinct light beam patterns that can be directed at different seating areas, reducing the total quantity of fixtures needed

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables a modular, cost-effective illumination system that can adapt to different seating configurations, reducing the need for multiple fixtures and simplifying installation, while providing uniform lighting across various passenger vehicle seating areas.

Implementation Method 1

an illumination array affixed to the substrate, the illumination array including a plurality of illumination elements adapted to emit light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

an interchangeable lens assembly adapted to direct each of the two or more light beam patterns to one of the two or more distinct lighting areas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS7413327B2Vehicle lighting fixture

Publication Date: 2008.08.19 THE BOEING CO

AI summary

A programmable and alternately configurable lighting fixture including a light emitting diode array adapted to affixed within a fixture housing. The lighting fixture includes a controller that is adapted to selectively power the plurality of light emitting diodes to provide two or more light beam patterns, each of the two or more light beam patterns selectively directable to two or more distinct lighting areas. The controller and the plurality of light emitting diodes are conductively connected to a power supply. The controller is programmable such that the lighting fixture is adaptable to various seating and lighting configurations, for instance a two seat/two beam configuration, a three seat/three beam configuration or a four seat/four beam configuration. Interchangeable lens assemblies are configured to appropriately direct and focus the selected number of lighting beams to the selected and distinct lighting areas.