Rear Window Assembly With Integrated Status Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rear slider window assemblies for vehicles, such as pickup trucks, lack integrated lighting and indicating systems that provide a seamless and functional glass window assembly with visible lighting for exterior and interior illumination and status indication.
Innovation Solution
A rear window assembly with an integrated indicating device featuring light sources, such as LEDs, disposed within or behind the fixed glass window panel, allowing for flush glass assembly with lighting that can indicate vehicle system statuses, provide exterior and interior illumination, and be activated by touch or proximity sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are integrated within or behind the fixed glass window panel, then lighting and indicating capabilities are provided, but the glass window assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (lighting, indicating, illumination) into a single integrated indicating device that is disposed within or behind the fixed glass window panel. This merging of functions allows the window assembly to provide both aesthetic lighting and functional status indication while maintaining a unified structure rather than separate components.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating device serves multiple purposes: it provides status indication for vehicle systems, offers ambient lighting for interior or exterior illumination, and can display various operational states. This multi-functionality is achieved through a single device that can emit different light patterns, colors, or intensities to convey different information.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple indicating devices or functions are integrated into the window assembly, then status indication and illumination capabilities are enhanced, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple indicating functions and light sources are merged into a single integrated indicating device assembly that is designed to be installed as one unit within the window structure. This consolidation reduces the number of separate installation steps and components that need to be individually positioned and connected.
Solution Approach 2:
The indicating device is pre-assembled with its light sources, circuitry, and mounting structures before installation into the window assembly. This preliminary preparation allows for easier integration into the final window product, reducing on-site installation complexity and enabling modular assembly.
3Shape
If light sources are disposed at or behind the fixed glass window panel, then a flush glass appearance is maintained, but light emission and visibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixed glass window panel acts as an intermediary medium that allows light to pass through while maintaining the flush appearance. The light sources are positioned behind or within the panel, and the glass material itself serves as the medium through which light is transmitted to the exterior, preserving aesthetics while enabling visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes different light source colors (such as red for CHMSL, white for illumination) that can be selectively activated to provide both aesthetic lighting effects and functional visibility. The glass panel's optical properties work in conjunction with these light colors to maintain appearance while ensuring adequate light emission.
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
The solution provides a seamless and functional rear window assembly with integrated lighting and indicating capabilities, enhancing visibility and functionality while maintaining a smooth exterior appearance, and reducing installation complexity and labor.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs), such as micro-LEDs, disposed at or behind or within the fixed glass window panel
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular rear window assembly includes a fixed window panel and an indicating device having a plurality of light sources. The vehicular rear window assembly is configured to be disposed at a rear portion of a cabin of a vehicle. The indicating device is disposed at the fixed window panel. With the vehicular rear window assembly disposed at the rear portion of the cabin of the vehicle, the light sources, when electrically powered to emit light, emit light that is visible through the window panel so as to be viewable by a person viewing the vehicular rear window assembly from exterior and rearward of the vehicle. The indicating device is operated responsive to at least one system of the vehicle. Responsive to an output of the at least one system, the indicating device adjusts operation of the light sources to indicate a status of the at least one system.