Movable Trim Lighting Element Hides Light Source
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle compartment lighting solutions are often distracting for passengers due to their fixed placement and visibility of light sources when turned off, which affects the aesthetic appearance of the trim.
Innovation Solution
A trim element with an integrated light source within a decorative element that can be moved to adjust lighting position and visibility, allowing the light source to be placed closer to the area of need without being visible when off, using a movable lighting portion within a hollow main body with opaque outer faces and translucent inner faces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the light source is placed on the wall of the vehicle compartment (roof panel), then the light source is fixed and easy to install, but the light source is spaced by large distance from the point to be lighted and remains visible when turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is merged with the trim element by integrating it into a decorative element that forms part of the trim element's external surface. This combination allows the light source to be positioned close to the area to be lighted while maintaining aesthetic appearance when the light is off, as the light source becomes part of the decorative structure rather than a separate wall-mounted component.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source is nested within the decorative element of the trim element. The decorative element acts as a housing or container that integrates the light source into its structure, allowing the light source to be concealed when off while enabling close positioning to the lighted area when activated.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the light source is arranged to be very directive with low light diffusion, then only a reduced space is lighted and the driver is not disturbed, but the light source must be placed closer to the lighted area which may affect aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The trim element incorporates a decorative element with specific local qualities - an outer face that is opaque or translucent to maintain aesthetic appearance, and an inner face that is translucent to allow light transmission. This local differentiation of optical properties enables the light source to be positioned close to the lighted area while maintaining visual appeal when off.
Solution Approach 2:
The decorative element's outer face is designed with specific optical properties (opaque or translucent) that allow it to maintain aesthetic appearance when the light is off, while the inner face is translucent to allow light transmission when the light is on. This change in optical behavior based on lighting state resolves the contradiction between aesthetics and functional positioning.
3Ease of manufacture
If the light source is fixed in the vehicle compartment, then the installation is simple, but the lighted area cannot be changed or can be changed only slightly
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting portion is made movable relative to the main body of the decorative element, allowing the light source to be repositioned to illuminate different areas. This dynamic capability is integrated into the trim element structure, maintaining relative simplicity while enabling adjustment of the lighted area to suit different needs.
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 targeted and adjustable lighting that minimizes passenger disturbance and maintains a cohesive appearance by hiding the light source when not in use, enhancing both functionality and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
The inner face (16) of the lighting portion (12) is arranged such that light is transmitted through the inner face (16) of the lighting portion (12)
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
Trim part (1) for a vehicle compartment comprising an external surface (2) intended to be visible from the interior of the vehicle compartment and an decorative element (4) extending on part of the external surface (2), said decorative element (4) comprising an inner face (6, 14, 16) applied against the external surface (2) and an outer face (6, 20, 22) opposite the inner face (4) and intended to be visible from the interior of the vehicle compartment, the decorative element (4) comprising a main body (10) and a lighting portion (12), a light source (26) for illuminating part of the vehicle compartment extending between the inner face (16) and the outer face (22) of said lighting portion (12), characterized in that, in the lighting portion (12), the outer face (22) is arranged such that the light from the light source (26) is not visible through said outer face (22) and the inner face (16) is arranged such that the light from the light source (26) is visible through said inner face (16), the lighting portion (12) being movable relative to the main body (10) between an off position, wherein the inner face (16) of the lighting portion (12) is turned towards the external surface (2) and the light from the light source (26) is not visible from the interior of the vehicle compartment, and at least one on position, wherein the inner face (16) of the lighting portion (12) is moved away from the external surface (2) such that the light from the light source (26) is diffused in the vehicle compartment.