Vehicle Storage Compartment with Photoluminescent Lighting and Inductive Charging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle storage compartments lack integrated solutions for effectively charging and disinfecting electronic devices while providing adequate illumination, which are essential for modern vehicle interiors.
Innovation Solution
A storage compartment design featuring a body with a cavity, a hingedly coupled door, a removably positioned shelf, a lighting assembly with light guides and a photoluminescent coating, and an inductive charging assembly, which directs light and UV light for disinfection and cleaning purposes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a light source is installed in the storage compartment to provide illumination, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the energy consumption increases and the illumination is not continuous after the light source is turned off
Solution Approach 1:
The photoluminescent coating absorbs and stores light energy from the light source before the light source is turned off. This preliminary energy storage action enables the coating to emit light passively for an extended period without additional energy input, resolving the contradiction between providing continuous illumination and reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The photoluminescent coating acts as an intermediary between the light source and the storage compartment interior. It absorbs light from the source and converts it to visible light, providing sustained illumination without requiring the light source to remain continuously active, thereby reducing overall energy consumption while maintaining illumination intensity.
2Reliability
If UV light sources are added to the storage compartment for disinfection purposes, then the disinfection capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV-C light source is integrated with the existing light source structure in the storage compartment. By merging the disinfection function with the illumination structure, the patent achieves effective disinfection capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity through shared components and integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The light source assembly is designed to serve multiple functions: visible light illumination for viewing and UV-C emission for disinfection. This multi-functionality allows the same structural components to perform both illumination and disinfection tasks, improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
3Ease of operation
If a shelf is fixed in the storage compartment to organize items, then the organizational capability is improved, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is designed with movable and adjustable characteristics, allowing users to reposition or remove the shelf according to different storage needs. This dynamic design maintains organizational capability while providing adaptability to accommodate various item sizes and storage configurations, resolving the contradiction between fixed organization and flexible adaptation.
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 comprehensive charging and disinfecting system that maintains illumination even after the light source is turned off, ensuring continuous passive illumination and effective disinfection of electronic devices within the vehicle storage compartment.
Implementation Method 1
a first coating applied to an inner surface of a body and configured to absorb emitted light from a light source and convert the emitted light to converted light to illuminate a cavity
Implementation Method 2
A lighting assembly is positioned proximate the rear wall. The lighting assembly includes a light guide and a light source positioned to direct emitted light through the light guide
Implementation Method 3
a second coating applied to an inner surface of a light guide, wherein the second coating includes a photoactive self-cleaning material configured to be activated by emitted light
Implementation Method 4
A charging assembly is positioned proximate the lower wall of the body and is configured to charge the electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
A storage compartment for a vehicle includes a body defining a cavity configured to receive an electronic device. The body includes an upper wall, a lower wall, and a rear wall. A door is hingedly coupled with the body and is configured to selectively seal the cavity. A shelf is removably positioned within the cavity. The shelf is configured to operably couple with the rear wall of the body. A lighting assembly is positioned proximate the rear wall. The lighting assembly includes a light guide and a light source positioned to direct emitted light through the light guide. A charging assembly is positioned proximate the lower wall of the body and is configured to charge the electronic device.