Vehicle Lighting Device with Scattering Light Guide for Intuitive Touch Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional touch-sensitive lighting devices in vehicles lack clear identification of function and operation, leading to user confusion and increased effort, especially for unfamiliar users, as symbols and functions are not immediately apparent.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a light-guiding element arranged between the primary and secondary light sources, where the secondary light source's light is coupled into the light-guiding element with imperfections that scatter light to form a visible pattern on the lens, allowing intuitive identification and operation through touch-sensitive or proximity-sensitive control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the light lens is used as the touch-sensitive element to enable discreet design, then the aesthetic appearance and harmonious interior design are improved, but the usability deteriorates because symbols are no longer visible to identify light functions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by displaying the pictogram on the light lens before the user needs to operate the light. The secondary light source illuminates the light guide element with defects that form the pictogram shape, making the function identification possible in advance. This allows users to identify which light corresponds to which function before making a selection, resolving the usability issue while maintaining the discreet design.
2Device complexity
If mechanical switches are replaced by touch-sensitive surfaces, then the design complexity is reduced and aesthetic appearance is improved, but the identification of light functions becomes unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary element - the light guide element with defects - that mediates between the secondary light source and the light lens. The defects in the light guide element act as a template that shapes the light into a recognizable pictogram, providing visual information about light functions without requiring separate mechanical switches or additional display elements.
3Device complexity
If a thin ring is used to identify the touch-sensitive light, then the construction remains simple, but the function identification remains unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a specific pattern (pictogram) at a specific location on the light lens rather than using a uniform ring around the entire light fixture. The defects are arranged in the light guide element to form the pictogram shape, providing localized visual information that clearly indicates the function of that specific light, making function identification immediately clear.
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 a harmonious, easy-to-operate, and safe lighting system with clear identification of lamp functions, reducing user confusion and enhancing usability by projecting a visible pattern or pictogram on the lens, even when the primary light is off, ensuring intuitive operation and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide element arranged between the primary light source and the light lens, in which defects are arranged in a predetermined shape, wherein light emitted from the secondary light source is coupled into the light guide element
Implementation Method 2
the light lens is designed to be touch-sensitive and/or proximity-sensitive
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for illuminating the interior of a vehicle, comprising a primary light source, a light directional element, and a light lens closing off the lighting device towards the interior of the vehicle, is characterized by the fact that a light guide element is arranged between the primary light source and the light lens, which has defects arranged in a predetermined shape, that a secondary light source is arranged such that light emitted by the secondary light source is coupled into the light guide element, and that the light lens is designed to be touch-sensitive and/or proximity-sensitive.