Automotive Trim Part with Integrated Laser-Defined Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing trim parts with integrated lighting devices face challenges in achieving a compact, aesthetically pleasing, and cost-effective design that allows for controlled decorative lighting patterns, often resulting in complex and fragile assemblies with protruding lighting sources that complicate handling and increase the assembly's thickness.
Innovation Solution
A trim part design featuring a lighting substrate integrated between layers, with a decorative lining treated using laser technology to create localized areas for light emission, allowing for customizable and uniform light patterns without additional layers, ensuring a compact and robust assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If lighting sources are disposed assembled on the trim part, then the lighting function is achieved, but the assembly becomes complex and fragile with protruding elements that complicate handling
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting source is integrated directly into the trim part structure, merging the lighting function with the trim component itself. This eliminates separate lighting assemblies and protruding elements, resulting in a compact, robust design that is easier to handle and install while maintaining the decorative lighting function.
2Length of stationary object
If electro-luminescent sheets or small LED light sources are integrated between layers to reduce thickness, then the assembly becomes more compact, but control over light emission patterns and quality is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The trim part incorporates multiple light sources positioned at different locations and orientations within its structure. Each light source can be independently controlled to emit light in specific directions, enabling precise control over illumination patterns, brightness distribution, and decorative effects while maintaining a compact thin-profile design.
3Device complexity
If a lighting guide element is used to illuminate large areas, then the number of lighting sources is reduced, but the assembly dimensions exceed the trim perimeter and require additional protective and reflective elements
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting guide element is nested within the trim part structure, with light sources positioned inside cavities or channels of the trim. This integration allows the lighting system to illuminate large areas while keeping the overall assembly dimensions within the trim perimeter, eliminating the need for external protective and reflective elements.
4Adaptability or versatility
If laser treatment is applied to create light exit areas, then real-time design changes and personalized lighting patterns are enabled, but additional manufacturing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The trim part is manufactured with pre-defined light exit areas, cavities, and optical channels during the main fabrication process. Laser treatment is then applied only to these pre-prepared zones to create the final light patterns, enabling rapid design changes without requiring complete remanufacturing of the entire trim component.
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 a compact, easy-to-handle trim part with integrated lighting that maintains a conventional appearance, offers versatile and high-quality decorative lighting, and simplifies manufacturing by enabling real-time design changes through laser treatment, enhancing both user experience and manufacturing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
said areas that allow light to pass being established by removing at least one part of said decorative lining by a laser treatment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3a
Figure 3b~3c
AI summary
Trim component with integrated lighting device comprising a lighting substrate, which in turn comprises a base substrate and a lighting substrate, said lighting substrate being covered by a decorative lining in which have been defined areas that allow light to pass and other areas that prevent light from passing, establishing by their combination a lighting pattern. These areas that allow light to pass are obtained by a laser treatment, removing at least one part of the material of said decorative lining.