Tail Lamp Integrated Window Illuminates Cargo Surface
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles' cargo areas are poorly lit during low light conditions, leading to potential cargo damage and measurement errors when accessing or using the cargo surface as a work area, necessitating improved lighting without adding weight, cost, or reducing packaging space.
Innovation Solution
A tail lamp with an integrated window/cutout is designed to transmit light through aligned cutouts in the tail lamp housing and body panel to illuminate the cargo surface, using a light source enclosed between the tail lamp lens and housing, with a secondary lens and closure to optimize light transmission and intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If additional lighting components are added to illuminate the cargo area, then illumination quality improves, but vehicle weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tail lamp assembly performs multiple functions: it provides rear vehicle lighting (brake light, tail light) and simultaneously illuminates the cargo area through the integrated window. This eliminates the need for separate cargo lighting components, reducing weight while improving cargo area illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the cargo lighting function with the existing tail lamp assembly by integrating a window in the tail lamp housing that directs light into the cargo area. This merging of functions avoids adding separate lighting components and their associated weight.
2Illumination intensity
If separate cargo lighting components are installed, then cargo area visibility improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The tail lamp assembly is designed to serve dual purposes: standard rear lighting and cargo area illumination. By making the tail lamp multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate cargo lighting components, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while improving cargo visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The cargo lighting function is merged into the existing tail lamp assembly through the integrated window design. This consolidation reduces the total number of components that need to be manufactured and assembled, lowering overall manufacturing costs while achieving improved cargo area visibility.
3Illumination intensity
If additional lighting components are added, then cargo surface illumination improves, but packaging space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tail lamp assembly is designed to perform multiple functions including rear vehicle lighting and cargo area illumination. By making the existing tail lamp multi-functional rather than adding separate components, packaging space is preserved while cargo surface illumination is improved.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cargo lighting function into the existing tail lamp assembly through the integrated window. This consolidation avoids adding separate lighting components that would consume additional packaging space, thereby maintaining vehicle packaging efficiency while improving cargo area lighting.
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 provides enhanced illumination of the cargo surface without additional weight or cost, using existing tail lamp components and ensuring light is focused on the cargo area only when needed, while the reflective closure enhances light intensity and safety.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light source positioned to transmit light through the first and second cutouts to illuminate a cargo surface
Implementation Method 2
the closure comprises a reflective material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a tail lamp housing including a first cutout, a body panel including a second cutout, and at least one light source positioned to transmit light through the first and second cutouts to illuminate a cargo surface. A method according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, providing a cargo member that is moveable between an open position and a closed position and mounting at least one tail lamp adjacent to the cargo member, wherein the tail lamp includes a first cutout. The method further includes forming a second cutout in a body panel and transmitting light through the first and second cutouts to illuminate a cargo surface when the cargo member is in the open position.