Vehicle Switch Knob Light Control for Uniform Multi-Color Icons
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle switch devices experience non-uniform light output when using multiple colored light sources, leading to a biased color pattern that does not meet the desired emotional quality for drivers and passengers.
Innovation Solution
A switch device with a light control region part on the switch knob that has varying thickness, concave-recess structures, and pixel-like configurations to ensure uniform light distribution by adjusting the optical path lengths and surface morphologies of light sources, allowing for simultaneous irradiation of beams onto icons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple colored light sources are arranged to simultaneously irradiate a single icon, then the lighting function is enhanced with various color optical outputs, but the uniformity of light output deteriorates due to different optical path lengths causing spotted color patterns and color bias
Solution Approach 1:
The switch knob is designed with a light control region part having varying thickness, where different regions have different thickness values to compensate for optical path length differences. This local variation in thickness ensures that light from multiple colored light sources achieves uniform optical path lengths, eliminating spotted color patterns and color bias while maintaining multi-color lighting functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The thickness parameter of the switch knob is intentionally varied in the light control region part to adjust and equalize optical path lengths. By changing the thickness parameter across different regions, the patent compensates for the different distances light travels from multiple light sources to the icon, thereby achieving uniform light output without sacrificing color diversity
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional switch knob with uniform thickness is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the light output uniformity deteriorates when multiple light sources are employed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of maintaining uniform thickness throughout, the switch knob incorporates a light control region part with locally varied thickness. This allows the majority of the knob to remain simple while only the critical light control region requires precision shaping, balancing manufacturability with optical performance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional uniform thickness design to a three-dimensional variable thickness design in the light control region. By utilizing the thickness dimension strategically, the patent achieves uniform light output compensation without significantly complicating the overall manufacturing process
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 enhances the uniformity of light output, preventing color bias and improving emotional quality by minimizing optical path differences, thus ensuring a consistent and aesthetically pleasing light pattern.
Implementation Method 1
a light control region part (230) having a difference in thickness between the inner and outer surfaces of the switch knob (200)... ensuring the uniformity of light output by adjusting the optical path lengths
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a switch device (10) for a vehicle, the switch device (10) being characterized by comprising: a switch housing (100) fixedly disposed in the vehicle; a switch knob (200) disposed in the switch housing (100) so as to be operable by a user and having knob icons (201, 202) on one side; a switch unit (300) which is operated by the user's manipulation of the switch knob (200) and generates a changed electrical signal; and a light source unit (500) which is disposed in the switch housing (100) and outputs and transmits generated light to the switch knob (200) side, wherein the light source unit (500) includes a plurality of knob icon light sources (510, 510a, 510b) capable of simultaneously emitting light to one of the knob icons (201, 202), and at least a portion of the switch knob (200) includes a light control region unit (230) in which the thickness between the inside of the switch knob (200) and the outer surface of the switch knob (200) is different.