Shift Indicator Light Guide Panel Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shifting position display apparatuses for vehicles require a large number of light-emitting bodies and complex electric circuits to achieve a luxurious and elegant lighting effect, increasing costs and manufacturing complexity.
Innovation Solution
A shifting position display apparatus using a light-transmissive lens, a light guide panel, a side light emitting body, and a limited number of lower light emitting bodies to diffuse and concentrate light, creating a luxurious atmosphere with fewer components and simplified circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of light-emitting bodies are used to display various shifting ranges with different colors, then the lighting effect and visual indication are improved, but the complexity of electric circuits and manufacturing processes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light guide panel into multiple regions, each corresponding to a different shifting range (P, R, N, D, 2, L). Each region can be independently illuminated by controlling which lower light emitting bodies are activated, allowing different colors and patterns for different ranges without needing separate light sources for each position.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide panel as an intermediary between the lower light emitting bodies and the lens. This light guide panel diffuses and redirects light to create the appearance of multiple illuminated positions using fewer actual light sources, simplifying the circuit while maintaining the luxurious lighting effect.
2Illumination intensity
If many light-emitting bodies are used to achieve a luxurious lighting effect, then the visual appeal and elegance are improved, but the manufacturing cost and production complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lighting functions into a single integrated structure. The light guide panel serves multiple purposes: it diffuses light from the lower light emitting bodies, creates the appearance of edge lighting, and enables color differentiation for different shifting ranges. This merging reduces the total number of components needed, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining the luxurious effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The lower light emitting bodies serve multiple functions: they provide direct illumination, create edge lighting effects through the light guide panel, and enable color coding for different shifting ranges. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate light sources for each function, simplifying manufacturing while achieving the desired luxurious appearance.
3Measurement precision
If multiple light-emitting bodies are used to indicate different shifting ranges with various colors, then the accuracy of position indication is improved, but the number of components and circuit complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different lighting characteristics to different regions of the light guide panel corresponding to specific shifting ranges. Each region can be selectively illuminated with appropriate colors and intensities to accurately indicate the selected position, while using the same physical light emitting bodies to serve multiple positional indications through controlled activation patterns.
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 solution achieves a luxurious lighting effect with fewer light-emitting bodies, reducing circuit complexity and manufacturing costs while maintaining accurate shifting range indication.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide panel that is arranged on a lower side of the lens to be overlapped therewith; a side light emitting body for illuminating light from a side of the light guide panel toward the light guide panel
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of lower light emitting bodies which are provided at the positions corresponding to the characters or symbols on a lower side of the light guide panel
Implementation Method 3
a lens which is light-transmissive and on which a plurality of characters or symbols are displayed
Data Source
AI summary
A shift indicator for a vehicle includes a light-transmissive lens with a plurality of characters or symbols; a light guide panel arranged on a lower side of the lens; a side light emitting body for projecting light into a side of the light guide panel; and a plurality of lower light emitting bodies provided at the positions corresponding to the characters or symbols on a lower side of the light guide panel. The character or symbols are illuminated with various colors indicating the respective shifting status of the vehicle.