Tailgate Light Assembly with Dual Lenses for Cargo Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tailgates and cargo boxes lack effective illumination solutions that provide consistent and versatile lighting for both open and closed positions, limiting visibility and usability, especially in low-light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle tailgate with a substrate that includes a light assembly positioned over the inboard and outboard surfaces, featuring lenses and light sources that emit light into the cargo space and surrounding areas, providing puddle lamp, wash lighting, and backup illumination regardless of the tailgate's position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light assembly is installed on the tailgate, then illumination intensity and visibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lighting functions (cargo illumination, puddle lamp, wash lighting, backup illumination) into a single integrated light assembly mounted on the tailgate. This merging approach improves illumination intensity across multiple areas while avoiding the complexity of installing separate lighting systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The light assembly is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: illuminating the cargo space when closed, providing puddle lamp illumination when open, delivering wash lighting to the tailgate surface, and serving as backup illumination. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by achieving comprehensive illumination coverage without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the tailgate structure is modified to accommodate lighting components, then illumination versatility is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tailgate substrate is divided into distinct surface regions (inboard surface, outboard surface, top surface) with lenses strategically positioned over specific areas. This segmentation allows each lens to target specific zones for different lighting functions, achieving versatile illumination coverage while maintaining manageable manufacturing precision requirements through modular lens placement.
3Use of energy by moving object
If lenses are positioned over multiple surfaces, then light distribution efficiency is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different lenses are positioned over different surfaces of the tailgate substrate (inboard, outboard, top surfaces) to provide locally optimized light distribution. Each lens targets specific areas for specific functions (cargo illumination, puddle lamp, wash lighting), improving overall light distribution efficiency while organizing complexity through localized functional zones rather than a uniform complex structure.
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 offers enhanced visibility and usability by providing consistent and versatile lighting for the cargo space and surrounding areas, improving safety and functionality in both open and closed positions.
Implementation Method 1
A plurality of light sources is positioned between the substrate and the first and second lenses
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle tailgate includes a substrate operable between open and closed positions and defining an inboard surface, an outboard surface and a top surface. A light assembly is positioned on the substrate. A first lens is positioned over the inboard surface and the top surface. A second lens is positioned over the top surface and the outboard surface. A plurality of light sources is positioned between the substrate and the first and second lenses.