Steering Handle Lighting Segments With Reflective Spillover Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting units for vehicle steering wheels struggle to provide both a homogeneous and well-defined discrete lighting of adjacent and individual segments, respectively, due to light spillover between segments, complicating design and impairing clear signaling.
Innovation Solution
A reflective body is positioned in the transition region of adjacent lighting segments, protruding towards the diffusor, with a controlled distance to minimize light spillover and ensure homogeneous illumination, while allowing sharp definition of individual segments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a continuous light band with multiple lighting segments is used, then a homogeneous lighting effect is achieved, but light spillover into adjacent segments occurs making individual segments difficult to identify
Solution Approach 1:
A reflective body is introduced as an intermediary element positioned in the transition regions between adjacent lighting segments. This reflective body acts as a light redirector that prevents direct light propagation from one segment to the next, thereby maintaining segment boundaries while preserving overall homogeneous illumination through controlled light reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting unit is divided into multiple discrete lighting segments with defined transition regions between them. Each segment can be independently controlled and identified, while the reflective bodies in transition regions ensure that light from one segment does not spill into adjacent segments, maintaining both homogeneity and segment distinguishability.
2Loss of information
If lighting segments are structurally separated to prevent light spillover, then clear segment identification is achieved, but design complexity increases and homogeneous lighting becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of structurally separating lighting segments which would increase design complexity, a reflective body is used as a non-intrusive intermediary element. This reflective body can be integrated into existing structures and achieves light spillover prevention without requiring complex structural modifications or additional components.
3Loss of information
If the reflective body is positioned close to the diffusor (at most 20% of the distance between light sources and diffusor), then light spillover is prevented and segment delineation is sharp, but the risk of contact with the diffusor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position of the reflective body is precisely controlled within a specific parameter range (at most 20%, preferably at most 5%, of the distance between light sources and diffusor). This parameter optimization ensures sufficient proximity to effectively prevent light spillover and achieve sharp segment delineation, while maintaining a safe margin to prevent contact with the diffusor and ensure reliable operation.
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 continuous, smooth outer lighting effect with clear, unambiguous signaling by preventing light spillover and ensuring even illumination across adjacent segments.
Implementation Method 1
a reflective body is provided at least in a transition region of two adjacent lighting segments and protrudes from the inner side of the lighting unit towards the diffusor
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting unit for a steering handle of a motor vehicle, which extends in a longitudinal direction (s), having: multiple lighting segments (22) situated one behind the other in the longitudinal direction (s); a diffusor (24), which forms an outer side (26) of the lighting unit (18) and emits light from the lighting unit (18) into the surroundings (28); multiple light sources (30), which are provided on an inner side (32) of the lighting unit (18) opposite the outer side (26), emit light towards the diffusor (24) and are at a distance (x1) from the diffusor (24) transversely to the longitudinal direction (s), wherein to each lighting segment (22) is assigned at least one light source (30), and wherein a reflective body (36) is provided in a transition region (34) of two adjacent lighting segments (22) and protrudes from the inner side (32) of the lighting unit (18) towards the diffusor (24), wherein a minimum distance (x2) between the reflective body (36) and the diffusor (24) is at most 20%, in particular at most 5%, of the distance (x1) between the light sources (30) and the diffusor (24).