Vehicle Lighting Module With Diffuser for Glare-Free Connector Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle charging and tank recess illumination systems face challenges in providing effective and glare-free illumination, especially in poorly lit environments, and often require extensive design space and multiple light sources, which complicates the operation and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A compact illumination module with a modular design, featuring a light source support, housing, and a light diffuser with separate outlet regions for direct illumination and signal lighting, utilizing LEDs and optical diffusion to ensure clear visibility without glare, and allowing for adaptable use across various vehicle components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged around the charging connector to illuminate it, then the charging connector becomes visible, but the operator experiences glare and the design requires large space and many light sources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by directing illumination specifically to the charging connector area rather than using omnidirectional lighting. The housing includes a light outlet region positioned to illuminate only the necessary area (charging connector), eliminating glare for the operator while providing sufficient visibility where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a light diffuser as an intermediary element between the light source and the charging connector. The diffuser scatters and softens the light, reducing direct glare while maintaining illumination of the target area. This intermediary component allows the system to achieve both visibility and comfort.
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to illuminate the charging connector, then adequate illumination is achieved, but the device complexity and design space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple light sources into a single integrated illumination module. Instead of using multiple separate light sources around the charging connector, the invention combines them into one module with a single housing and light outlet region, simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining adequate illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination module is designed as a universal component that can be applied to various vehicle types and charging configurations. The single-module design provides multi-functional capability, serving as both the structural housing and the illumination system, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
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 provides efficient, glare-free illumination and signaling for vehicle components, enhancing operational simplicity and reducing design complexity while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a light diffuser (6) optically coupled or couplable to the light outlet region (5) of the housing, in particular by means of an optical coupling
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination module (1) for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess (20) or a handle assembly, includes a light source support (2) having at least one light source (3) and a housing (4), in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region (5), via which light can be decoupled from the housing (4). The illumination module (1) further includes a light diffuser (6) optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing, which diffuser includes a first light outlet region (7), via which light can be decoupled for direct illumination or highlighting of the region of the vehicle component and which includes a second light outlet region (8), which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region (7) via which signal light can be decoupled.