Reflective Light Guide Structure for Hidden Automotive Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive in-vehicle decorative lighting components struggle to display comprehensive and diverse information within limited space due to their reliance on locally transmitting and non-transmitting areas, limiting the ability to create crystal-like transparent decorations that are visible only when activated and dimly visible or invisible when deactivated.
Innovation Solution
A lighting structure incorporating a light-emitting unit, circuit substrate, and light guide that utilizes optically reflective information structures on the light guide surfaces to display information with a luminous effect when activated, and a transparent appearance decorative component that becomes dimly visible or invisible when the light source is off, allowing for multiple layers of information display and energy efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional locally transmitting and non-transmitting areas are used for information display, then the display function is achieved, but the display area is limited and the structure becomes complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies optical reflection principles to create information display structures that change their optical properties based on illumination. The display area transitions from being invisible or dimly visible in the off state to displaying bright reflected information when activated, effectively using optical property changes rather than physical structure changes to achieve information display.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves the information display from the traditional approach of using distinct transmitting and non-transmitting areas (2D plane division) to using optical reflection properties (adding the optical property dimension). This allows information to be displayed within the same physical area without requiring complex spatial divisions.
2Shape
If transparent appearance decorative components are used, then aesthetic effect is improved, but visibility when deactivated is increased (reducing information display effectiveness)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the appearance decorative component dynamic in its optical properties. When deactivated, the component maintains its transparent aesthetic appearance. When activated, the optical reflection information structures become visible through the transparent material, allowing the component to switch between aesthetic display and information display modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The information display structures are designed to be periodically activated alongside the lighting system. During normal operation, the transparent decorative component provides aesthetic value. When information needs to be displayed, the system activates the light source, causing the reflected information to become visible through the transparent material.
3Loss of information
If multiple information display structures are implemented, then information diversity is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal information display approach where a single transparent appearance decorative component with integrated optical reflection structures serves multiple functions: aesthetic decoration, information display, and status indication. This eliminates the need for separate dedicated information display components, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining information diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the aesthetic decorative function and the information display function into a single integrated structure. The optical reflection information structures are incorporated within or on the transparent appearance decorative component, allowing both functions to share the same physical space and be activated by the same lighting system, thus reducing redundant energy consumption.
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 the display of diverse information with a luminous effect in a single area, reduces module space and weight, and lowers energy consumption by using light guide films with reflective patterns, creating a crystal-like transparent decorative effect.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide configured to guide the LED light to propagate toward the appearance decorative component
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a lighting structure. The lighting structure includes: an appearance decorative component; a light-emitting unit emitting an LED light when activated; a circuit substrate configured to provide the light-emitting unit to be configured thereon and to control the light-emitting unit; and a light guide configured to guide the LED light to propagate toward the appearance decorative component.