Vehicle Interior Lighting Control via Graphical Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle interior lighting systems lack the ability to be adjusted conveniently and individually, often requiring decentralized switching and adjustment of light sources, which can distract drivers and fail to provide a comfortable ambient lighting experience.

Innovation Solution

A lighting control device with an input and display interface that allows users to set the illuminance of multiple lighting sources separately via a graphical representation of the vehicle interior, using a touchscreen or mobile device, enabling centralized control of lighting sources through a bus system or direct electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If vehicle interior lighting is switched off completely during driving, then driver distraction is avoided, but comfort and ambiance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedriver distractionVSAvoidcomfort and ambiance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different lighting zones within the vehicle interior to have different illuminance levels. The driver's area can be kept dim to avoid distraction, while other areas can have higher illuminance for comfort and ambiance. This spatial differentiation resolves the contradiction between avoiding driver distraction and maintaining comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If decentralized switching and adjustment of light sources is used, then individual control is possible, but driver distraction increases and convenience decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual controlVSAvoidconvenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the control functions of multiple decentralized light sources into a single centralized control unit with a graphical user interface. This allows the driver to adjust all lighting sources from one location, maintaining individual control capability while eliminating the need to access multiple switches, thereby improving convenience and reducing distraction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If multiple light sources are adjusted individually via decentralized switches, then precise control is achieved, but device complexity and driver distraction increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting control precisionVSAvoidnumber of switches and controls

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal control unit that can adjust multiple different light sources through a single graphical user interface. This multi-functional device replaces numerous individual switches, maintaining precise control capability while reducing the number of physical controls and simplifying the overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2852506B1Device for controlling lighting in a vehicle interior

Publication Date: 2019.10.09 VOLKSWAGEN AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to an operating device (10) for controlling interior lighting of a motor vehicle (1) with a plurality of lighting sources (3), comprising: an input and display device (11) for displaying a passenger interior (2) along with the lighting situation thereof and for selecting each of the plurality of lighting sources (3) and for adjusting the lighting strengths thereof; and a control unit (12) which is designed to provide a corresponding control signal and/or a corresponding electric power output for adjusting lighting strength of a lighting source (3) to be adjusted on the basis of an input to the input and display device (11).