Vehicle Window Integrated Lighting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting systems in specialty vehicles often require external lights to be more conspicuous, leading to safety concerns and aesthetic issues, and leased vehicles may incur damage during modifications for specialty purposes, necessitating costly repairs at the end of the lease period.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system that integrates light assemblies into or onto vehicle windows using adhesive attachments and routing paths to minimize external modifications, featuring a shroud to direct light away from the cabin and reduce stray light return, allowing for easy removal without damaging the vehicle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If external lights are used to provide signaling capabilities, then the vehicle can be more conspicuous for safety purposes, but the vehicle aesthetics are compromised and the lights are more easily seen which may cause distraction
Solution Approach 1:
The light assembly is nested within a window opening, with the light housing positioned behind the glass and the light face flush with or slightly protruding from the window surface. This nesting approach allows the lighting system to be integrated into the vehicle's existing structure, maintaining a low-profile appearance that preserves aesthetics while providing effective signaling capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional external mounting on the vehicle body to mounting within the window plane, utilizing the third dimension of the window thickness. The light assembly is positioned in the window opening rather than on the exterior surface, creating a flush or recessed appearance that maintains vehicle aesthetics while preserving signaling functionality.
2Shape
If internal lights are used to make the vehicle less conspicuous, then the vehicle aesthetics are maintained, but the lights are less easily seen and may not provide adequate signaling
Solution Approach 1:
The light housing includes an opaque or translucent shield that selectively blocks light in certain directions while allowing light transmission in others. The shield is configured to prevent light from entering the vehicle interior while directing light outward for effective signaling. This local differentiation of light transmission properties maintains aesthetics by preventing interior illumination while ensuring external visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The light assembly is designed with a reflector and shield configuration that continuously directs light outward through the window glass, maximizing light transmission efficiency. The optical elements are positioned and shaped to ensure that light is continuously directed in the desired direction, maintaining effective signaling capability while keeping the light source concealed behind the glass.
3Ease of operation
If wiring is routed from the vehicle cabin to exterior lights through the firewall, then external lights can be powered, but the firewall must be drilled creating damage that requires repair at the end of the lease
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed to be completely removable from the vehicle without causing permanent damage. The light assembly, housing, and mounting components can be extracted from the window opening, allowing the vehicle to be returned to its original state at the end of the lease period. This extraction capability eliminates the need for firewall drilling and associated repair requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system uses reversible fasteners and adhesives that allow the light assembly to be dynamically installed and removed. The lighting system transitions from a fixed, permanent installation to a dynamic, temporary installation that can be easily attached and detached without damaging the vehicle structure, particularly the firewall.
4Reliability
If the light assembly protrudes significantly from the window surface, then the light output is more visible, but the profile of the vehicle is increased and aesthetics are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The light assembly utilizes the window thickness dimension to position optical elements effectively. The reflector, light source, and shield are arranged within the window opening depth, allowing sufficient optical path length for effective light direction while maintaining a flush or minimal protrusion from the window surface, thus preserving vehicle profile and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
The light housing and optical components are nested within the window opening, with the light face positioned flush with or slightly recessed from the window surface. This nesting configuration provides adequate space for optical elements to function effectively while minimizing the external profile of the lighting system, maintaining vehicle aesthetics.
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
Enhances safety by minimizing distraction and damage, providing a low-profile, integrated appearance that maintains vehicle aesthetics and reduces the need for costly repairs at the end of the lease period.
Implementation Method 1
an attachment surface constructed to substantially bond to the window in conjunction with an adhesive
Implementation Method 2
a light element that generates light in response to application of power to the light element
Implementation Method 3
a shroud that substantially shields the interior of the vehicle from light output from the light element
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system for specialty lighting, which may be attached to a motor vehicle with a window (e.g., glass, plastic, etc.) that is light transmissive. The lighting system may include one or more light assemblies attached to the window in an interior of the vehicle or an exterior area of the vehicle. In one embodiment, a light assembly may be internal to the window.