Segmented Light Guide for Animated Vehicle Interior Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting devices for vehicle interiors lack the ability to provide animated ambient lighting that is easily perceptible and compact in design.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a flat light guide divided into emission regions by material interruptions, featuring a translucent decorative part and opaque elements to create distinct light zones, and utilizing RGB LEDs for color homogeneity, allowing for individual control of light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a lighting device uses multiple adjacent light sources coupled into a single light guide, then the light distribution can be controlled, but the ability to create distinct animated light zones is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into multiple emission regions by introducing material interruptions (opaque elements) that segment the continuous light guide into distinct zones. Each zone can be independently controlled by adjacent light sources, enabling animated lighting effects while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If opaque elements are introduced to divide the light guide into emission regions, then distinct light zones are created, but the light guide structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Opaque elements are strategically placed only at specific locations where emission regions need to be separated, rather than uniformly throughout the light guide. This local intervention creates distinct light zones while minimizing overall structural complexity and maintaining simplicity in non-critical areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to create animated lighting effects, then lighting versatility improves, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources are coupled into a single integrated light guide structure, merging their functions into one compact component. The light guide acts as a common transmission medium for all light sources, reducing the overall device footprint while maintaining the capability to produce animated lighting effects through selective activation of different light sources.
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 clearly visible, animated lighting effects with a compact design, facilitating easy installation and customizable light phenomena based on driving conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The light from at least two adjacent light sources can be coupled into the light guide via at least one edge-side light coupling surface
Implementation Method 2
the light guide has at least one elongated material interruption pointing in the light emission direction of the light sources, by which the light guide is divided transversely to the light emission direction into several emission regions
Implementation Method 3
featuring a translucent decorative part and opaque elements to create distinct light zones
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting device (1a) for the interior of a motor vehicle, comprising at least one at least predominantly flat light guide (12) into which light (L) from at least two light sources (14a) arranged next to one another is able to be coupled via at least one marginal light input coupling surface (12e) and is able to be coupled out again from the light guide (12) via at least one light output coupling surface. The invention proposes that the light guide (12) has at least one elongate material interruption (12c) which points in the light emission direction (LA) of the light sources (14a) and subdivides the light guide (12), transversely with respect to the light emission direction (LA), into a plurality of emission regions (12g) arranged next to one another.