Seat Illumination System Simulating Natural Sunlight
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Confinement in vehicles like cars, trains, and airplanes leads to discomfort, stress, and anxiety due to limited views and reduced mobility, which existing illumination systems fail to adequately address by providing insufficient depth perception and ambient space perception.
Innovation Solution
A seat illuminating system combining a light projector and a reflector unit with a luminous layer that mimics sunlight, enhancing depth perception by creating a window-like aperture effect, using a reflective configuration that directs light through a diffusing panel to simulate natural sunlight, thereby increasing visual comfort and perception of space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional illumination systems are used in confined vehicle cabins, then basic reading illumination is provided, but depth perception and ambient space perception remain insufficient causing discomfort and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual window by projecting light patterns onto the cabin interior surfaces that copy the appearance of natural windows and outdoor scenes. The light projector displays images of sky, clouds, or outdoor landscapes on the cabin walls and ceiling, giving passengers the visual experience of looking through windows without physically expanding the cabin space.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transforms the two-dimensional cabin interior surfaces into three-dimensional virtual viewing spaces by projecting dynamic light patterns that simulate depth and distance. The light projector creates the illusion of extending the cabin boundaries into additional spatial dimensions, making the confined space appear larger and more open.
2Area of stationary object
If the cabin space is physically expanded to improve ambient space perception, then depth perception improves, but the vehicle size and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters of the cabin environment by introducing light projectors that emit specific wavelength ranges (380-780nm visible light) and control luminance, color temperature, and contrast ratios. These parameter changes transform the perceived spatial characteristics without physically altering the cabin dimensions, allowing the same physical space to deliver enhanced depth perception through optimized lighting parameters.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are added to improve ambient illumination, then overall brightness increases, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light projector serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides ambient illumination, creates depth perception through projected images, simulates natural lighting conditions (sunlight, sky, clouds), and enhances the perceived cabin space. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate lighting systems into a single device, reducing overall energy consumption and system complexity while achieving superior illumination effects.
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 system provides a sense of widened perception and increased visual comfort by simulating natural sunlight, reducing the perception of confinement and enhancing ambient space perception, while efficiently using indoor space without requiring significant additional volume.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector unit (6) being spatially fixed with respect to the seat arrangement and comprising a reflective surface (8A) and a luminous layer (10) for homogenously emitting diffuse light
Implementation Method 2
at least a portion of the light beam passes through the luminous layer (10) before and after being reflected by the reflective surface (8A)
Implementation Method 3
a light projector (302) mounted at the mounting structure and configured to generate a light beam (303) adapted in size for comprehensively illuminating the visible front area section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2D
Figure 3A~4
AI summary
A seat illuminating system (101D) for, in particular sunlight-like, illuminating a target region (144) comprises a seat arrangement (140) having a seat surface (142A). The target region (144) is defined for a person sitting on the seat surface (142 A). The seat illuminating system (101D) comprises further a mounting structure (150 A) being spatially fixed with respect to the seat arrangement (140); a reflector unit (106) mounted at the mounting structure (150 A) and comprising a reflective surface and a luminous layer for homogenously emitting diffuse light at a first color, the luminous layer extending in front of the reflective surface and comprising a visible front area section (110A) of the reflector unit (106). The seat illuminating system (101D) comprises further a light projector (102) mounted at the mounting structure (150A) and configured to generate a light beam (103) adapted in size for comprehensively illuminating the visible front area section (110A) such that at least a portion of the light beam (103) passes through the luminous layer before and after being reflected by the reflective surface, thereby forming an illuminating light beam (103 A) at a second color directed onto the target region (144).