Vehicle Ceiling Control Switch Inclined Surface Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional control apparatuses installed near rearview mirrors in vehicles cause light from displays to be reflected onto the rearview mirror, disturbing the occupant's field of view.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus with operation elements and indicators designed to have an upward slope from the vehicle front to the rear, ensuring that light from the display is not reflected onto the rearview mirror, and a projection part is positioned on a straight line connecting the light-emitting part and the rearview mirror to shield any stray light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a display is provided on the operation element to improve visibility, then the occupant can easily recognize the switch position and action, but light from the display is reflected on the rearview mirror and disturbs the rear field of view
Solution Approach 1:
The operation element is designed with a specific inclined surface having a predetermined angle range (10-40 degrees from the horizontal plane). This local geometric property directs light from the display toward the vehicle rear rather than toward the rearview mirror, thereby eliminating the harmful reflection while preserving display visibility for the occupant.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the angular parameter of the operation element's inclined surface to a specific range (10-40 degrees). This parameter adjustment ensures that light emitted from the display reflects at an angle that directs it away from the rearview mirror, thus resolving the contradiction between display visibility and preventing glare.
2Ease of manufacture
If the operation element is made flat to simplify manufacturing, then production is easier, but light from the display can be reflected onto the rearview mirror
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire operation element complex, only the light-emitting surface is inclined at a predetermined angle. This localized geometric feature is sufficient to redirect light away from the rearview mirror while keeping the rest of the operation element simple and easy to manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The operation element incorporates an inclined planar surface with a specific angle rather than a completely flat surface. This angular geometry is simple to manufacture using conventional molding techniques while effectively controlling light reflection paths to prevent glare on the rearview mirror.
3Illumination intensity
If high-brightness light sources are used to improve indicator visibility, then the indicator can be seen more clearly, but glare is increased and may also reflect on the rearview mirror
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined surface is specifically designed for the light-emitting portion of the operation element. This local geometric feature directs high-brightness light away from the rearview mirror while maintaining excellent visibility for the occupant, thus allowing high brightness without proportionally increasing harmful glare.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the angular parameter of the inclined surface to within 10-40 degrees, the invention enables the use of high-brightness light sources. The specific angle range ensures that even intense light is reflected toward the vehicle rear rather than toward the rearview mirror, thereby reducing glare while maintaining indicator visibility.
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
Prevents light from the display from being visually recognized by the occupant, maintaining an unobstructed rear field of view while improving visibility of the indicators and reducing glare from high-brightness light sources.
Implementation Method 1
light radiated from the light source is not visually recognized by an occupant when the light radiated from the light source is reflected on a rearview mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A control apparatus includes a switch that operates a device, the switch being attached to a vehicle ceiling part, wherein a display able to transmit light from a light source is provided on an operation surface of an operation element of a switch, and in the operation element, an inclined part inclined with an upward slope from a vehicle front toward a vehicle rear is provided, the slope being inclined at an angle at which light radiated from the light source is not visually recognized by an occupant when the light radiated from the light source is reflected on a rearview mirror.