Vehicle Roof Pane Light Guide With Absorption for Controlled Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle roof designs lack effective integration of lighting systems that enhance interior comfort while maintaining aesthetic appeal and preventing unwanted illumination from external light sources.

Innovation Solution

A pane arrangement comprising a first and second pane element, a light guide element, and absorption elements to control light distribution, utilizing total reflection and scattering to provide interior lighting while concealing light sources and reducing unwanted illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a light guide element is integrated into the vehicle roof to provide interior lighting, then interior comfort and lighting quality are improved, but unwanted illumination from external light sources and visibility of light sources may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterior lighting qualityVSAvoidunwanted illumination

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an absorption element as an intermediary component between the light guide element and the exterior environment. This absorption element selectively absorbs external light before it can enter the light guide and cause unwanted illumination or reveal the light source location, while allowing the light guide to function normally for interior lighting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorption element is applied locally at specific positions where external light could interfere with the light guide, rather than uniformly across the entire structure. This targeted approach maintains interior lighting quality while blocking harmful external illumination only where necessary.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If multiple pane elements and layers are added to control light distribution, then lighting control and aesthetic appeal are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting controlVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functional layers (pane elements, plastic layers, absorption elements) into an integrated pane arrangement structure. These layers work together as a unified system to achieve lighting control, aesthetic appeal, and interference blocking without requiring separate complex systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pane arrangement structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, controls light distribution, blocks external interference, and maintains aesthetic appearance. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby managing complexity.

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

Enhances vehicle interior comfort with controlled lighting, maintains aesthetic appeal by concealing light sources, and prevents unwanted illumination, offering improved visual and thermal regulation.

Implementation Method 1

the light guide element utilizes the effect of total reflection in order to guide light and to ensure lighting of the vehicle interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTotal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a first absorption element which is arranged in stacking direction between the first plastic layer and the second pane element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250298181A1Pane arrangement for a vehicle roof, and vehicle roof for a vehicle

Publication Date: 2025.09.25 WEBASTO AG

AI summary

A pane arrangement for a vehicle roof may have a first pane element which has a first main face and a second main face which is opposite the first main face along a stacking direction, a second pane element which has a third main face and has a fourth main face which is opposite the third main face along the stacking direction, the second pane element being coupled to the first pane element, and the second pane element being embodied as a plate-like light guide element which is coupled to a light source and is configured to guide light fed in from the light source and to provide it for a prescribed lighting of the vehicle interior. The pane arrangement may further have a first plastic layer which is arranged in stacking direction between the first pane element and the second pane element, and a first absorption element which is arranged in stacking direction between the first plastic layer and the second pane element.