Vehicle Interior Lighting with Offset Fiber Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle interior lighting systems lack versatility and flexibility in creating dynamic and functional lighting effects, such as smooth transitions between light sources and uniform brightness, which are essential for enhancing passenger navigation and ambiance.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising multiple LEDs, light guides, and a control device that couples light from different sources into light guides with decoupling regions of varying intensity and arrangement, allowing for synchronized and offset activation of light sources to produce a range of lighting effects, including running lights and color transitions, by adjusting the intensity and direction of light propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are used to create dynamic lighting effects, then lighting versatility and functional flexibility are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent light sources (LEDs), each capable of being controlled individually. Each light source is assigned to specific light guides with extraction areas, allowing independent control of different lighting zones. This segmentation enables versatile lighting effects while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guides serve multiple functions: they transport light from sources, distribute it to extraction areas, and enable various lighting effects through their optical properties. The same light guide structure supports both static ambient lighting and dynamic running light effects, reducing the need for separate specialized components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If light sources are activated in a time-shifted manner to create running light effects, then lighting dynamics and visual appeal are improved, but uniformity of brightness across extraction areas deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Different extraction areas along the light guides are designed with varying optical properties to compensate for the time-shifted activation of light sources. Extraction areas closer to active light sources have different extraction characteristics compared to those farther away, ensuring that each area contributes appropriately to maintain overall brightness uniformity during dynamic transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts lighting parameters including the intensity and timing of individual light sources, as well as the extraction characteristics of different areas. By changing these parameters in a coordinated manner, the system achieves both dynamic running light effects and maintains acceptable brightness uniformity across all extraction areas.
3Illumination intensity
If extraction areas are arranged offset from one another to create smooth transitions, then visual continuity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous lighting effect is achieved by segmenting the light guide into multiple discrete extraction areas with offset arrangements. Each extraction area is independently optimized for its position, allowing manufacturing tolerances to be managed locally while still achieving overall visual continuity when all areas are activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses dynamic control of light source activation to compensate for the offset arrangement of extraction areas. By sequentially activating light sources and adjusting their timing and intensity, the system creates the perception of smooth continuous light transitions even though the physical extraction areas are discrete and offset, reducing the stringency of manufacturing precision requirements.
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 enables the creation of versatile, functionally flexible, and aesthetically appealing interior lighting with smooth transitions and uniform brightness, enhancing passenger experience and vehicle ambiance while indicating operating elements or visualizing energy flow.
Implementation Method 1
light from different light sources is coupled into different light guides and propagates in a principal direction of light propagation
Implementation Method 2
These extraction areas each extract light from the light guide
Implementation Method 3
the intensity of the light coupled out by the respective coupling area varies in the main direction of light propagation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle interior lighting system comprising a multiplicity of light sources (LED1, LED2, LED3), comprising a control device (STE1) for controlling the light sources (LED1, LED2, LED3) and comprising a multiplicity of fiberoptic conductors (L1, L2, L3). The light sources (LED1, LED2, LED3) and fiberoptic conductors (L1, L2, L3) are designed and arranged relative to one another in such a way that light from different light sources (LED1, LED2, LED3) is coupled into different fiberoptic conductors (L1, L2, L3) and propagates in a main light propagation direction (HLA). The fiberoptic conductors (L1, L2, L3) each have a plurality of coupling-out regions (LAF) which are spaced apart in the main light propagation direction (HLA) and which each couple light out of the fiberoptic conductor (L1, L2, L3). The coupling-out regions (LAF) of different fiberoptic conductors (L1, L2, L3) are arranged offset with respect to one another in the main light propagation direction (HLA), wherein a coupling-out region (LAF) of at least some of the coupling-out regions (LAF) is configured in such a way that the intensity of the light coupled out by said coupling-out region (LAF) varies in the main light propagation direction (HLA). The control device (STE1) is designed in such a way that the different light sources (LED1, LED2, LED3) are switched to a light-emitting state with a temporal offset with respect to one another.