Vehicle Trim Element With Integrated Lighting and Reduced Thickness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional trim elements for vehicle passenger compartments require a significant volume and numerous parts to achieve ambiance lighting, which is inefficient in terms of footprint and assembly complexity.
Innovation Solution
A trim element design featuring a first layer with a decorative element, a light source, and a power supply circuit, where the light is redirected using a transparent or translucent second layer, reducing the overall thickness and number of components, and optionally incorporating a reflective layer for improved aesthetics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a conventional lighting device with separate light source, light guide, and printed circuit is used, then the desired ambiance lighting function is achieved, but the footprint and number of parts increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source, power supply circuit, and light guide into a single integrated lighting device. The printed circuit board serves as both the mounting substrate for the light source and the light guide structure, eliminating the need for separate components. This integration directly reduces the number of parts and simplifies assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The printed circuit board performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides electrical connections for the light source, acts as the light guide structure, and serves as the mounting substrate. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the device architecture.
2Volume of stationary object
If a conventional lighting device with separate components is used, then the desired lighting function is achieved, but the overall volume occupied increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the light guide structure with the printed circuit board, the patent eliminates the need for separate light guide components and their associated mounting structures. This merging significantly reduces the overall volume occupied by the lighting device while maintaining structural integrity through the rigid PCB substrate.
3Length of stationary object
If the trim element thickness is reduced using the integrated design, then the footprint and number of parts are reduced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of the light guide with the printed circuit board creates a monolithic structure where alignment is inherent to the manufacturing process rather than requiring post-assembly adjustment. This reduces the need for high-precision alignment operations during assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide structure is pre-formed as part of the printed circuit board during the PCB manufacturing process, before final assembly. This preliminary formation of the light guide structure eliminates the need for precise field alignment and reduces manufacturing precision requirements during final assembly.
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 design enables efficient ambiance lighting with a reduced footprint and fewer parts, enhancing the aesthetic appearance by eliminating visible gaps and allowing for a thinner trim element.
Implementation Method 1
means for directing light from the first light source towards a second outer surface of the trim element which is other than the first outer surface. The means for directing light from the first light source comprise a transparent or translucent second layer at least partially coating the first light source
Implementation Method 2
The means for directing light from the first light source comprise a reflective layer arranged on the first layer
Data Source
AI summary
A trim element for a vehicle is proposed, comprising: a first layer comprising a surface defining a first outer surface of the trim element and an opposite surface, a decorative element arranged on the first layer, a light source arranged on the first layer, a power supply circuit for the light source, the power supply circuit being arranged on the first layer, and a transparent or translucent second layer at least partially coating the light source to direct light from the light source towards a second outer surface of the trim element which is other than the first outer surface.