Shaped Part Light-Shielding Layer for Sharp Illumination Edges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing decorative and panel parts in vehicle interiors suffer from blurred edges of illuminated regions due to light penetration into the decorative layer, resulting in a loss of sharpness and clarity of displayed symbols.
Innovation Solution
A shaped part design featuring a decorative layer with a light-guiding element and a light-shielding layer, where the light-guiding element's light guides penetrate the decorative layer and escape only through interruptions in the light-shielding layer, ensuring sharp-edged illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light passages are illuminated by a light element, then the functional symbols can be displayed on the front side, but light penetrates into the decorative layer causing blurred edges and reduced sharpness
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding layer is segmented with interruptions (discontinuities) at specific positions corresponding to the light guides. This segmentation allows light to escape only at the intended locations while blocking light penetration into the decorative layer at other areas, thereby maintaining sharp edges of illuminated regions.
Solution Approach 2:
A light-shielding layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the light guide and the decorative layer. This intermediate layer prevents light from penetrating into the decorative layer while still allowing controlled light escape through its interruptions, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination and edge sharpness.
2Manufacturing precision
If a light-shielding layer is introduced to prevent light penetration, then edge sharpness is improved, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The light-shielding layer is merged with the adhesive layer that bonds the light guide to the decorative layer. By combining the light-shielding function with the existing adhesive layer, the structure is simplified while still achieving the desired light control and edge sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive layer is given multiple functions: it not only bonds the light guide to the decorative layer but also serves as a light-shielding layer with interruptions. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining edge sharpness.
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
This solution maintains the sharpness and clarity of illuminated symbols by preventing light from penetrating into the decorative layer, allowing light to escape only through controlled interruptions, thus enhancing the visual clarity of displayed indications and designs.
Implementation Method 1
light emanating from the light elements is conducted to the front side of the decorative layer via the light guide(s) of the light-guiding element
Implementation Method 2
a light-shielding layer be arranged between the surface of the light guide(s) and the decorative layer, wherein the light-shielding layer has, on the front side of the decorative layer on each light guide, an interruption through which light guided from the light guide(s) to the front side of the decorative layer can escape
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a shaped part comprising a decorative layer with a front side and a rear side, a light-guiding element comprising a main body and one or more light guides protruding from a front side of the main body, wherein the main body is arranged with its front side on the rear side of the decorative layer and the light guide(s) completely penetrate/s the decorative layer, and one or more light elements arranged in and/or on the light-guiding element, wherein light emanating from the light elements is guided via the light guide(s) to the front side of the decorative layer. A light-shielding layer is arranged between the surface of the light guide(s) and the decorative layer, in particular a light-shielding element, wherein the light-shielding layer has an interruption, through which light can escape, on the front side of the decorative layer on each light guide. The invention also relates to methods for producing a shaped part that comprise, as a method step, pressing the light-shielding element and/or the light guides of the light-guiding element into a decorative material to form the decorative layer.