Vehicle Interior Luminous Assembly with Masked Light Guide
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current decorative assemblies for vehicle interiors fail to create an unexpected and surprising effect when transitioning from an off state to an on state, as they either allow the lighting components to be partially visible or suffer from light loss and diffusion, preventing the projection of a sharp, defined luminous motif.
Innovation Solution
A luminous decorative assembly with a light guide and LED system that uses a decorative covering with a mask to control light transmission, ensuring the lighting device and motif are concealed in the off state and only visible as a sharp, defined motif in the on state, maximizing light harnessing and maintaining contrast.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a translucent decorative covering is used to keep lighting components concealed, then the components are hidden from view, but light is significantly diffused and absorbed, preventing sharp luminous motif projection
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative covering is segmented into multiple functional layers: an opaque appearance layer for concealment, a mask layer with precise aperture patterns for motif definition, and a light-transmitting layer for light passage. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without compromising the others, resolving the contradiction between concealment and sharpness.
Solution Approach 2:
A mask layer is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the decorative covering. This mask with precisely defined apertures controls light transmission to create sharp luminous motifs while the opaque appearance layer maintains concealment of the lighting components, thus mediating between the conflicting requirements.
2Manufacturing precision
If the decorative covering is drilled down to light source level to achieve sharp motifs, then light transmission is improved, but the lighting components become visible from certain angles
Solution Approach 1:
The solution segments the decorative covering into distinct layers where the opaque appearance layer maintains concealment of lighting components from all angles, while the mask and light-transmitting layers work together to provide sharp motif projection. This eliminates the need to drill down to light source level.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-layer approach to a multi-layer vertical structure. By adding the opaque appearance layer on top of the mask and light-transmitting layers, it creates a new dimensional arrangement that simultaneously achieves both concealment and sharpness without compromising either function.
3Device complexity
If a single-layer decorative covering is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously achieve concealment, sharp motif projection, and light efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative covering is divided into three specialized layers: opaque appearance layer for concealment, mask layer for motif definition with precise aperture patterns, and light-transmitting layer for efficient light passage. This segmentation enables each layer to optimize its specific function, achieving superior overall performance despite increased structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-layer structure enables the decorative covering to perform multiple functions simultaneously: concealment of lighting components, projection of sharp luminous motifs, and efficient light transmission. Each layer contributes to one or more of these functions, creating a universal solution that addresses all requirements.
4Illumination intensity
If light diffusion is allowed to create ambient lighting, then the lighting is soft and diffuse, but significant light loss occurs and sharp motifs cannot be defined
Solution Approach 1:
The decorative covering is segmented into an opaque appearance layer and a light-transmitting layer separated by a mask. This segmentation allows light to pass efficiently through the light-transmitting layer to create sharp motifs, while the opaque layer provides aesthetic appearance without causing light absorption losses.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the decorative covering have different optical properties: the mask areas allow sharp light transmission for motif definition, while the opaque appearance layer provides aesthetic concealment. This local differentiation of optical qualities enables both sharp motifs and aesthetic appearance without significant light loss.
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 achieves a sharp, defined luminous motif with minimal light loss, providing an unexpected and aesthetically pleasing effect while fully concealing the lighting components from any angle, and is adaptable to various vehicle models and designs.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide and LED system that uses a decorative covering with a mask to control light transmission
Implementation Method 2
a decorative covering with an opaque appearance which permits the passage of the light it receives from the luminous support when the latter is in an on state, and which keeps both the luminous motif and the lighting device concealed when the latter is an off state
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6A~6C
AI summary
A luminous decorative assembly for vehicle interior (1) which permits a light-emitting on state, wherein a luminous motif (5), which may be decorative or indicative, is shown, and an off state, wherein it looks like a conventional decorative assembly whose appearance is opaque such that it keeps both the luminous motif and the lighting device concealed. Said luminous decorative assembly comprises a luminous support (2) made up by a lighting device (2.10) which consists in a distributed light source comprising at least one LED (2.2) and a light guide (2.3) and a support (2.1) that supports and connects the assembly to the vehicle interior; and a decorative covering (3) having an opaque appearance which additionally comprises a mask (3.3) that allows the motif to be defined in a sharp manner.