On-Vehicle Interior Illuminating Device Flowing Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional on-vehicle interior illuminating devices require a large number of light sources and complex circuits and wiring to achieve a flowing illumination effect, leading to increased costs, especially with the use of LEDs.
Innovation Solution
An on-vehicle interior illuminating device utilizing a light guide member with two light source units at opposite ends, where one light source unit is controlled to turn on and off after the other, and light is entered obliquely into the light guide member to create a smooth gradation effect, reducing the number of required light sources and simplifying circuits and wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a large number of light sources are arranged to produce a flowing illumination effect, then the illumination effect is achieved, but the cost increases due to more light sources, circuits, and wiring
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide member is divided into multiple light guide sections (first, second, third light guide sections) with different light transmission properties. The first section has high light transmission, the second section has low light transmission, and the third section has high light transmission. This segmentation allows a single light source to create a flowing illumination effect by controlling which sections transmit light, thereby reducing the total number of light sources needed while maintaining the desired visual effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide member acts as an intermediary that transforms the light from a single point source into a distributed flowing illumination pattern. By using the light guide member with varying light transmission properties across different sections, the system converts one light source into multiple apparent light sources, eliminating the need for numerous actual light sources while achieving the same visual effect.
2Illumination intensity
If LEDs are arranged adjacent to each other to achieve smooth light flowing effect, then the illumination quality improves, but the cost increases extraordinarily
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the light guide member have different local optical properties. The first light guide section has high light transmission properties, the second section has low light transmission properties, and the third section has high light transmission properties. This local quality variation creates smooth light gradation effects without requiring numerous adjacent LEDs, as the light transmission characteristics themselves create the gradual transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The light transmission parameter of the light guide member is changed across different sections to achieve the desired illumination effect. By varying the light transmission property from high to low and back to high across the first, second, and third sections respectively, the system creates smooth light gradation and flowing effects using minimal LEDs, avoiding the need for extraordinarily many adjacent LEDs.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to create light moving effect, then the illumination effect is achieved, but the wiring and circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light guide sections are merged into a single integrated light guide member structure. The first, second, and third light guide sections are connected in series, allowing a single light source to illuminate all sections sequentially. This merging eliminates the need for separate circuits and wiring for each light source, reducing circuit complexity while maintaining the light moving effect through controlled light transmission variations.
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 creates a seamless flowing illumination effect with fewer light sources, reducing costs and complexity while maintaining a bright and smooth light gradation from one end to the other, appearing as though the light moves along the light guide member.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide member (2) having one end and the other end arranged in a longitudinal direction thereof and configured to guide and diffuse light from both the one and the other ends
Data Source
AI summary
An object of the present invention is to provide an on-vehicle interior illuminating device able to show the light moving with a small number of light sources and to reduce cost. The on-vehicle interior illuminating device includes: a light guide member; one light source unit; the other light source unit; and a control unit. The control unit turns on the other light source unit after turning on the one light source unit, turns off the one light source unit after turning on the other light source unit, and turns off the other light source unit after turning off the one light source unit.