Vehicle Interior Illumination Array with Mode Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle interior illumination systems lack flexibility and adaptability in providing both ambient and reading illumination, with limited control over color temperature and illuminance, especially for rear vehicle regions.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising arrays of light sources with adjustable brightness and color temperature, along with an additional lamp unit for ambient illumination, controlled by a unit that can switch between three modes to generate either reading, ambient, or combined illumination, allowing for adaptive and flexible interior lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate lamp units are used for reading illumination and ambient illumination, then illumination functionality is provided, but device complexity increases and flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple illumination functions (reading illumination and ambient illumination) into a single array of light sources. The control unit can selectively activate different regions or patterns within the same array to provide either focused reading light or distributed ambient light, eliminating the need for separate lamp units and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single array of light sources is designed to perform multiple illumination functions. By controlling different subsets of the light sources or different spatial patterns within the array, the system can switch between providing reading illumination to specific zones, ambient illumination throughout the vehicle interior, or combinations thereof, making the system universally applicable for various illumination needs.
2Loss of information
If a camera is used to control illumination, then object detection is enabled, but color temperature and illuminance matching capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces sensor units as intermediary devices that detect object characteristics (such as reflectivity, color, and position) and transmit this information to the control unit. The control unit then uses this data to adjust the illumination parameters (intensity, color temperature, direction) of the light sources, enabling both object detection and adaptive color temperature control without relying solely on camera-based systems.
3Illumination intensity
If high surface density of light sources is used, then illumination quality improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The array is divided into multiple independently controllable groups or regions of light sources. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high illumination quality in specific zones by activating only the necessary light sources, rather than requiring all light sources to operate at maximum density throughout the entire array, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining illumination quality where needed.
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
This solution provides passengers with improved and customizable illumination conditions, enhancing comfort and visibility by adjusting illuminance and color temperature based on sensor feedback and user input, enabling favorable lighting for both reading and ambient environments.
Implementation Method 1
The light sources are preferably arranged in one plane on the array. The spacing of the light sources from one another on the array can be constant over the entire array or vary over the array. The light sources of the array are designed in such a way that an ambient illumination and a reading illumination can be generated inside the vehicle by means of this array.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for interior illumination for a vehicle includes an array formed by multiple light sources, with which an ambient illumination and a reading illumination can be generated inside the vehicle, an additional lamp unit with which exclusively an ambient illumination can be generated inside the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the light sources and the additional lamp unit in three modes. The control unit is designed and configured in such a way that in the first mode the light sources are controlled in such a way that exclusively a reading illumination is generated inside the vehicle; in the second mode the light sources and the additional lamp unit are controlled in such a way that exclusively an ambient illumination is generated inside the vehicle; and in the third mode the control unit simultaneously activates the first and second modes for simultaneously generating an ambient illumination and a reading illumination.