Vehicle Emblem Illumination with Light Diffusing Resin
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automotive emblems lose their metallic aesthetic in low-light conditions, failing to maintain a decorative and back-lighted image effectively.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle emblem featuring a light diffusing resin substrate with a metalloid or metal alloy decoration layer, a transparent frontal cover, and a light source that illuminates through the rear transparent cover, ensuring the metallic aspect is preserved in varying lighting conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a metalloid or metal alloy decoration layer is applied to the substrate, then the metallic aesthetic aspect is improved, but the decorative function in low-light conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The emblem incorporates a light source that activates in low-light conditions to dynamically enhance the visibility of the decoration layer. The light source is configured to illuminate the metalloid or metal alloy decoration layer when ambient light is insufficient, allowing the metallic aesthetic to be maintained across varying lighting conditions while preserving the 3-D image effect.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a light source is added to illuminate the substrate, then the decorative function in low-light conditions is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light source is integrated into the emblem structure by positioning it behind the substrate, merging the illumination function with the existing decorative layers. The light source, substrate, and decoration layer are combined into a single assembled unit where the light source is housed within the emblem housing, reducing overall complexity while achieving the desired illumination effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate acts as an intermediary element between the light source and the decoration layer. The light source illuminates the substrate, which in turn illuminates the metalloid or metal alloy decoration layer, creating a mediated lighting effect that enhances the metallic aesthetic without requiring direct contact between the light source and the decoration layer.
3Illumination intensity
If the decoration layer is made opaque, then the metallic aesthetic is improved, but the light passage and illumination effect deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The decoration layer is designed with local variations in opacity to balance metallic aesthetic and light transmission. The metalloid or metal alloy decoration layer is applied to specific portions of the substrate where metallic appearance is desired, while leaving other areas more transparent to allow light passage. This local quality approach ensures that the metallic aesthetic is enhanced in key areas while maintaining overall illumination effectiveness.
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 maintains the emblem's metallic aesthetic and enhances its decorative function by providing illumination, ensuring the image remains visible and aesthetically appealing both during the day and at night while preserving the 3-D image.
Implementation Method 1
a light source that illuminates the substrate, so that the light from the light source crosses the transparent frontal cover
Implementation Method 2
a substrate formed of a light diffusing resin
Implementation Method 3
the rear transparent cover includes an optical reflective coating on its side opposite to the substrate, for reflecting the light from the light source towards the vehicle forward direction
Data Source
AI summary
An emblem for vehicles includes a substrate formed of a light-transmissive resin, the substrate having a proximal face and a distal face and a decoration layer applied to the proximal face, the decoration layer including a metalloid or a metalloid alloy deposited on the surface of the proximal face, a transparent frontal cover overlying the decoration layer, and a light source that illuminates the substrate, so that the light from the light source crosses the transparent frontal cover. This permits the emblem to maintain its metallic aspect in any lighting condition, so that the decorative function is be improved by adding illumination in appropriate conditions while preserving its 3-D image.