Illuminated seat panel
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle interior lighting often illuminates areas beyond the task zone, making it distracting for drivers and visible to others outside the vehicle, and may not provide sufficient brightness for passengers to perform tasks effectively.
Innovation Solution
A seat panel with a light assembly that emits task lighting through a defined aperture, configured to illuminate specific areas like the seat pocket and leg space without being visible to the driver or external observers, using a light source such as LEDs and a control unit to manage light output and direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If overhead lighting is used to illuminate the vehicle interior, then the lighting area is sufficient to cover the task zone, but the light extends beyond the required area into the driver's field of vision and is visible to external observers
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent light sources positioned at different locations (overhead, footwell, seatback, door panels). Each light source illuminates a specific localized area, allowing the task zone to be adequately lit without overwhelming the driver's field of vision or making the interior visible from outside.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the vehicle interior are provided with different lighting characteristics. Task areas receive focused, brighter illumination, while areas near the driver and exterior surfaces receive reduced or no illumination. This local differentiation ensures sufficient task lighting without creating driver distraction or external visibility issues.
2Illumination intensity
If ambient lighting is used to illuminate various areas of the vehicle interior, then the overall illumination is provided, but the brightness is insufficient for effective task lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system provides dynamic brightness control, allowing ambient lighting to maintain a lower overall illumination level for comfort, while task areas can be independently brightened when needed. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to switch between ambient mood lighting and focused task lighting modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is divided into ambient lighting zones and task lighting zones. Ambient zones provide soft overall illumination, while task zones equipped with adjustable light sources can deliver high-intensity illumination for reading, writing, or other tasks without increasing overall interior brightness to distracting levels.
3Illumination intensity
If overhead task lighting is used to illuminate the task area, then sufficient brightness is provided for passenger tasks, but the light is visible to drivers of adjacent vehicles and illuminates vehicle contents for external viewing
Solution Approach 1:
Task lighting is provided through localized light sources positioned at or near the passenger's task area (footwell, seatback, door panel). These lights illuminate only the immediate task zone with high intensity, while the rest of the vehicle interior remains dimly lit or unlit, preventing external observers from seeing vehicle contents and eliminating glare to adjacent drivers.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of illuminating from above (overhead), task lighting is delivered from multiple alternative dimensions and angles - from the footwell area, from seatback panels, from door panels. This dimensional redistribution of light sources provides task illumination while directing light away from the driver's field of vision and external viewing angles.
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
Provides focused and sufficient lighting for passengers to perform tasks without distracting the driver or illuminating the vehicle's interior for external viewers, enhancing usability and safety.
Implementation Method 1
The light source includes at least one light emitting diode (LED)
Data Source
AI summary
A seat panel for assembly into a rear surface of a seat assembly includes a light assembly which generates task lighting directed to a task area and of sufficient brightness to be useful in performing a task within the task area. The light assembly is selectively actuable to emit light through an aperture defined by the seat panel in a defined light pattern to illuminate a recessed space in the seat panel. The seat assembly when configured as a forward seat assembly of a vehicle provides task lighting for a passenger seated rearward of the forward seat assembly, to illuminate a task area which can include one or more of the exterior surface of the seat panel, a leg space between the forward seat assembly and the passenger's seat assembly, and/or a seat space generally including a portion of the upper leg and/or lap area of the passenger.