Vehicle Interior Illumination Wireless Control Unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users cannot easily change the illumination settings, such as color, in vehicle interior illumination systems using the master-slave method, requiring external device connection through a dealer for setting information updates.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle interior illumination system with a master control unit, slave control units, and a wireless control unit that enables multiplex communication and wireless communication with external devices, allowing users to change illumination settings via an external device, such as a smartphone, and transmit these settings to the master control unit for slave unit control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If setting information is stored in memory in advance in slave control unit, then communication is reduced, but setting information cannot be changed easily
Solution Approach 1:
A wireless communication unit is introduced as an intermediary component in the master control unit. This unit enables wireless reception of setting information from external devices (such as smartphones or tablets), allowing users to change illumination settings without visiting a dealer. The wireless communication unit acts as a mediator between the external device and the existing master-slave control system, adding functionality without disrupting the original communication-efficient architecture.
2Ease of operation
If external device is connected to master control unit for changing setting information, then setting information can be changed, but user needs to go to dealer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical connection requirement (USB cable or other wired connections requiring dealer intervention) with wireless communication technology. The wireless communication unit receives setting information wirelessly from external devices via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other wireless protocols, eliminating the need for physical connections and dealer visits. This substitution transforms a complex, dealer-dependent process into a simple, user-friendly wireless operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If master-slave method is used to control large number of light sources, then system can control multiple illumination points, but setting information cannot be updated easily
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless communication unit is designed with universal functionality to handle various types of setting information (illumination color, brightness, timing) for multiple slave control units simultaneously. It can receive and distribute different types of control data to maintain the multi-point illumination capability while adding the universal ability to update settings remotely, making the system both versatile in control and convenient in operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle interior illumination system includes: a master control unit; slave control units configured to perform multiplex communication with the master control unit and control a light source mounted on a vehicle in accordance with an instruction of the master control unit; a multiplex communication line configured to connect the master control unit to the slave control units; and a wireless control unit that is connected to the multiplex communication line and configured to perform wireless communication with an external device. The wireless control unit is configured to receive setting information on vehicle interior illumination from the external device and transmit the setting information to the master control unit via the multiplex communication line. The master control unit is configured to transmit a control instruction to the slave control unit to control the light source in accordance with the setting information.