Vehicle Interior Lighting Control for Stable Brightness and Color

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for adjusting vehicle interior lighting fail to reliably counteract light fluctuations, leading to discomfort for occupants due to unnatural lighting changes caused by external factors like direction changes, headlights, and varying sunlight.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that use a control device to set and maintain a predetermined lighting setpoint within the vehicle, adjusting light sources based on detected current lighting values and ambient luminosity, ensuring constant brightness and color matching the surroundings, with the option to darken the interior when necessary and adapt headlight intensity accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the interior lighting is adjusted to compensate for external light fluctuations, then the lighting stability is improved, but the lighting appears unnatural and user comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting stabilityVSAvoiduser comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating between task lighting areas and ambient lighting areas. Task lighting (reading lights, dashboard illumination) is stabilized independently from ambient lighting, allowing each zone to have optimal lighting characteristics. This resolves the contradiction by providing stability where needed while maintaining natural appearance in ambient areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts lighting based on detected external conditions and user activity. When the vehicle is in motion with stable external lighting, the system maintains natural lighting patterns. When external lighting becomes unstable (e.g., passing through tunnels, tree-lined streets), the system activates compensation only in specific zones, creating a dynamic response that balances stability and natural appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If the illuminance is increased to counteract light fluctuations, then the lighting stability is improved, but the lighting becomes unnatural and user comfort deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting stabilityVSAvoidlighting naturalness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of uniformly increasing illuminance throughout the vehicle interior, the system applies localized illumination only in specific task areas where stability is needed. The ambient lighting maintains its natural intensity levels, avoiding the unnatural effect of overall brightness increase while still providing stable lighting where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by compensating for light fluctuations only in specific zones rather than the entire interior. This selective compensation provides stability where needed without excessively increasing overall illuminance, thereby maintaining natural lighting appearance in non-critical areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the interior lighting is continuously adjusted to match ambient light, then the adaptability is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting adaptabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system operates dynamically, adjusting only when external lighting conditions change beyond predefined thresholds. During stable ambient conditions, the system maintains fixed lighting levels without continuous adjustment, reducing energy consumption while retaining adaptability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs periodic sensing and adjustment cycles rather than continuous operation. The detection device samples ambient light conditions at intervals, and the control device updates lighting settings only when significant changes are detected, achieving adaptability while minimizing energy expenditure from constant adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3793863B1Method and system for setting lighting conditions in a vehicle, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.01.15 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3793863B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3793863B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for setting lighting conditions in a vehicle (10). In this case, a lighting setpoint value (BS) of a controller (14) in an interior (16) of the vehicle (10) is predefined. Light is then output by at least one light source (18) depending on the predefined lighting setpoint value (BS). A current lighting value (BW) in the interior (16) is furthermore recorded by way of a recording apparatus (20). The current lighting value (BW) is furthermore set to the predefined lighting setpoint value (BS) when a deviation of the current lighting value (BW) from the predefined lighting setpoint value (BS) is recorded. An ambient light value in an environment (24) of the vehicle (10) is then recorded by way of a further recording apparatus (22), wherein the ambient light value comprises a light colour (K) of the ambient light. Finally, the current lighting value (BW) is set such that a light colour (K) of the output light in the interior (16) of the vehicle (10) is matched to the light colour (K) recorded in the environment (24) of the vehicle (10). (Fig. 1)