Vehicle Trim Light Guide Segmentation for Illumination Clarity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle trim elements with backlit pattern areas face challenges in achieving satisfactory illumination due to the need for increased thickness and space to ensure good light diffusion, and the quality of light is unsatisfactory when using light guides to direct light from the inner surface to the outer surface.
Innovation Solution
The trim element incorporates distinct and separate light guides for each backlit pattern area, extending between the light source and the pattern area on the inner surface, ensuring that light from one source illuminates only its corresponding area without scattering, and includes reflective materials to enhance light transmission and diffusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged in light boxes with reflective walls to ensure good illumination diffusion, then illumination quality is improved, but the thickness and space required increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light guides as intermediary elements between the light sources and the backlit pattern areas. These light guides transmit light from the light sources (arranged on the inner surface) to the backlit areas, eliminating the need for thick light boxes while ensuring proper light diffusion and illumination quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a three-dimensional light box structure to a two-dimensional light guide configuration on the inner surface. This dimensional change allows light transmission without requiring significant thickness, as the light guides spread light in a planar configuration rather than requiring volumetric space for diffusion.
2Length of stationary object
If light sources are placed close to backlit pattern areas to reduce thickness, then space requirements are reduced, but light diffusion quality becomes unsatisfactory
Solution Approach 1:
The light guides serve as intermediaries that bridge the gap between close-spaced light sources and backlit areas. They transmit and distribute light effectively over the required distance, maintaining illumination quality even when the overall thickness is reduced.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical light diffusion system (reflective walls in light boxes) with an optical system using light guides. This substitution allows for more efficient light transmission with reduced space requirements, as light guides can direct and diffuse light without requiring the physical volume of traditional light boxes.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple backlit pattern areas are placed close together to maximize surface usage, then area efficiency is improved, but light scattering between areas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the illumination system into separate, independent light guides for each backlit pattern area. This segmentation ensures that light from one pattern area is contained within its dedicated light guide, preventing scattering into adjacent areas and maintaining clear pattern definition even when areas are closely spaced.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light guide is designed with specific local properties to control light transmission to its corresponding backlit area. The light guides have tailored optical characteristics that ensure light is delivered precisely to the intended area, maintaining high pattern definition clarity throughout the surface.
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
This solution provides clear and defined illumination for each backlit pattern area, even when they are close together, while maintaining a relatively thin trim element and reducing space requirements, ensuring effective light diffusion and a satisfactory display on the outer surface.
Implementation Method 1
one light guide per backlit pattern area, each light guide extending on the inner surface of the coating layer between a light source and the corresponding backlit pattern area so as to transmit the light emitted by the said light source to the said backlit pattern area
Implementation Method 2
each light guide is coated with a reflective material
Data Source
AI summary
A trim element having a coating layer defining an outer surface and an inner surface, the coating layer including at least two distinct backlit pattern areas separated by at least one opaque area preventing the passage of light from the inner surface to the outer surface. The trim element includes at least one light source for each backlit pattern area, the light source being fixed on the inner surface of the coating layer facing an opaque area while being spaced apart from the corresponding backlit pattern area. The trim element has one light guide per backlit pattern area.