Vehicle Lighting Module With Split Diffuser for Glare-Free Port Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Charging and tank recesses in vehicles, especially hybrid or electric vehicles, lack effective illumination in poorly lit environments, leading to difficulties in locating charging connectors and tank openings, and existing solutions often cause glare or require extensive design space.
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, which can be optically coupled to the housing to provide focused illumination without glare and indicate operational states or hazards.
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 glare is caused to the operator
Solution Approach 1:
The light diffuser is segmented into multiple light outlet regions (first light outlet region for direct illumination, second light outlet region for signal light) that spatially separate different light functions, allowing direct illumination without glare while providing signal indication
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light diffuser have different optical properties - the first light outlet region provides direct illumination with specific angular distribution, while the second light outlet region provides signal light with different characteristics, optimizing each region for its specific function
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are arranged to provide adequate illumination, then the charging connector is well-lit, but the design space required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light sources are merged into a single illumination module that integrates the light source support, housing, and light diffuser with multiple light outlet regions, consolidating what would require extensive design space into a compact unit
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination module serves multiple functions simultaneously - providing direct illumination for locating the charging connector, providing signal light for operational status indication, and maintaining a compact design - making it a multi-functional solution that replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate components
3Reliability
If a tailgate is added to protect the charging port, then protection against dirt and water is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination module is designed to be integrated into the charging recess closure element and serves multiple functions - illumination, signal indication, and potential sealing/protection functions - reducing the need for separate tailgate components while maintaining protection
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 illumination module effectively highlights vehicle components, reduces glare, and provides clear visual signals about operational states or hazards, enhancing usability and safety in low-light conditions while maintaining a compact and cost-effective design.
Implementation Method 1
a light diffuser (6) which is optically coupled to the light outlet region (5) of the housing (4), in particular in an interchangeable manner
Implementation Method 2
via which light emitted by the at least one light source can be decoupled from the housing (4)
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination module for highlighting a region of a vehicle component, such as a charging or tank recess or a handle assembly, includes a light source support having at least one light source and a housing, in which the light source support with the at least one light source is received. The housing includes a light outlet region, via which light can be decoupled from the housing. The illumination module further includes a light diffuser optically coupled to the light outlet region of the housing, which diffuser includes a first light outlet region, 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, which is spatially separated from the first light outlet region via which signal light can be decoupled.