Public Transport Lighting Assembly with Adjustable LEDs and Variable Translucency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems in public transport vehicles, such as buses, lack versatility in providing adequate lighting conditions due to variations in vehicle design, roof type, and door presence, leading to insufficient internal space illumination.

Innovation Solution

A ceiling assembly with a central plate and corner elements housing lighting assemblies, featuring a support portion with adjustable lighting means and a flexible cover with varying translucency, allowing for customizable lighting distribution through LED lights controlled by an electronic unit, ensuring optimal illumination with direct, indirect, and main lighting options.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing lighting systems are used, then the structure is simple, but the lighting versatility and adaptability to different vehicle configurations is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting versatilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting means are made adjustable and movable within the ceiling assembly, allowing dynamic repositioning to adapt to different vehicle configurations (roof types, door positions, mission lengths). This enables a single system to provide optimal lighting for various scenarios without requiring multiple fixed lighting systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ceiling assembly integrates multiple functions: housing lighting means, providing structural support, enabling cable access through hollow corner elements, and allowing maintenance access. This multi-functional design achieves lighting versatility without proportionally increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If lighting means are fixed in position, then the installation is simple, but the ability to provide optimal lighting for different vehicle configurations is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting adaptabilityVSAvoidinstallation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting means are designed to be movable within the ceiling assembly rather than fixed, allowing them to be repositioned during installation and maintenance to optimize lighting for different vehicle configurations. This dynamic capability provides adaptability while maintaining reasonable installation simplicity through standardized mounting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of repair

If the ceiling assembly is designed with multiple access points, then the ease of maintenance improves, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidceiling structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ceiling assembly is segmented into modular components (central plate, corner elements, lighting assemblies) that can be independently accessed and maintained. The hollow corner elements serve as access points to the cable tray, allowing maintenance personnel to reach internal components without disassembling the entire ceiling structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The hollow corner elements act as intermediary structures that provide access to the cable tray and lighting components. These elements mediate between the external environment and the internal wiring/lighting systems, enabling maintenance access without requiring complex disassembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 effective, customizable lighting for public transport vehicles, enhancing internal space illumination with varying light gradations without complex or expensive systems, facilitating easy maintenance and operation.

Implementation Method 1

The central plate 9 comprises a single curved element realized in a reflective material

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The support portion 12 and the cover 13 delimits a closed space 14 for housing a plurality of lighting means 15

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4082833A1Lighting assembly for a public transport vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.11.02 IVECO FRANCE SAS
  • EP4082833A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4082833A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4082833A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Vehicle comprising a lighting assembly (10) for a public transport vehicle (1), comprising a support portion (12) configured to be fixed to a wall (5) of the vehicle (1) and a cover (13) configured to be releasably carried by the support portion (12), and a plurality of lighting means (15) housed in a space (14) delimited between said support portion (12) and said cover (13), the support portion (12) defining a plurality of support area (17) for supporting the lighting means (15) , the cover (13) being realized in a material that allows the passage of lights through thereof and comprising a central portion (13a) faced to the lighting means (15) realized in different portions (13', 13ʺ, 13‴) having different translucid properties, the different portions (13', 13ʺ, 13‴) being placed in front of a respective lighting means (15) to vary the transmission of the respective light means (15) into the vehicle (1).