Translucent Vehicle Air Inlet Lamella With Integrated LED Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing designs for motor vehicle air inlet and outlet openings lack versatility in incorporating illuminating features while maintaining structural integrity and sealing, particularly in radiator grilles.
Innovation Solution
A covering element with a lamella or design element that spans the opening, featuring a light-pervious top surface for emerging light from a rear-mounted LED light source, supported by a carrier element with electric supply lines, and sealed using adhesive connections or welding, allowing for various lighting configurations and enhanced sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a light source is integrated into the covering element, then illumination functionality is improved, but structural integrity and sealing are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The covering element is divided into separate functional modules: the lamella structure for air flow, the carrier element for light source mounting, and the adhesive connection for sealing. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently while maintaining overall reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adhesive connection serves as an intermediary element that simultaneously performs sealing and mechanical attachment functions. It creates a waterproof barrier while holding the carrier element with light sources to the lamella, thus maintaining structural integrity and sealing even with integrated illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If the top surface is made light-pervious, then light emission capability is improved, but protection against water and contamination is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The light-pervious properties are applied locally only to the top surface regions where light emission is required, while other areas maintain full protective properties. This allows selective transparency without compromising overall protection against water and contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The covering element uses composite material structures where the top surface incorporates light-pervious materials in specific regions, while maintaining protective materials in areas requiring water and contamination resistance. This composite approach enables both light emission and protection functions simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a carrier element with light sources is added, then lighting functionality is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The carrier element merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides mechanical support for light sources, serves as a mounting platform for electrical connections, and acts as a structural element of the covering. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components while maintaining lighting versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The carrier element is designed as a universal component that can accommodate different light source configurations and types. It provides a standardized interface for mounting various lighting arrangements, thus enabling lighting functionality without proportionally increasing device complexity.
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
Enables flexible lighting options and maintains structural stability and sealing, ensuring the interior is protected from water and contamination, with the ability to create uniform and fine light emission patterns.
Implementation Method 1
The light source is preferably an LED which is arranged on a carrier element
Implementation Method 2
The design element, the lamella can be connected to the carrier element by means of an adhesive connection
Data Source
AI summary
A covering element for an air inlet opening and/or air outlet opening in a motor vehicle body. A covering element lamella or a design element spans the opening and has a translucent surface in the direction towards the outside of the vehicle at least in a sub-region or the sub-region is designed to be translucent such that light from a light source which lies behind the sub-region and which is arranged in the interior of the lamella or the design element can exit.