Vehicle lamp structure and vehicle
By integrating the PCB substrate and connecting terminals into the housing, the complexity of vehicle lamp connections is solved, simplifying assembly and reducing costs, while improving connection stability and sealing.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202423023152.1
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-12-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-11-04
- Estimated Expiration
- 2034-12-06
AI Technical Summary
The existing automotive headlights have a complex connection structure with the vehicle's power supply, resulting in low production and assembly efficiency and high material and time costs.
The component is a combination of PCB substrate and connection terminal molded in one piece, combined with a one-piece molded housing assembly, eliminating the need for wire harnesses and clips, and directly realizing electrical connection. Threaded parts and positioning posts are used to ensure stability, and sealant and flexible rings are used to improve sealing.
The simplified headlight structure reduced material and time costs, improved assembly efficiency and connection stability, and enhanced sealing performance.
Smart Images

Figure CN223511952U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive technology, and in particular to a vehicle headlight structure and vehicle. Background Technology
[0002] Automotive headlights need to connect to the vehicle's power supply and controller. This connection requires first using a wiring harness to connect to the internal electronic components of the headlight, and then extending the harness to the outside of the headlight and connecting it to an external connector. To secure the connector, clips are typically installed on the outside of the headlight housing. After connecting the wiring harness to the internal electronic components, the connector must be secured to these clips. This design makes the assembly process for headlights relatively cumbersome, structurally complex, and results in higher material and time costs.
[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a vehicle lighting structure and vehicle to solve or at least alleviate the aforementioned technical problems. Utility Model Content
[0004] The main purpose of this utility model is to propose a vehicle lamp structure and vehicle, aiming to solve the technical problem that the structure of the vehicle lamp and connector is relatively complex and the production cost is high.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a vehicle lamp structure, comprising:
[0006] A combined component, the combined component including a PCB substrate and a connecting terminal, one end of the connecting terminal being fixedly mounted on the PCB substrate;
[0007] A housing assembly includes a lamp housing, a lamp shade, and a connector housing. The lamp shade and the lamp housing together form a receiving cavity. The connector housing is disposed on the side of the lamp housing opposite to the receiving cavity and is integrally formed with the lamp housing. The connector housing has a connecting cavity. The lamp housing has a mounting hole. The PCB substrate is mounted on the side of the lamp housing facing the receiving cavity. The other end of the connecting terminal passes through the mounting hole and is disposed in the connecting cavity.
[0008] In one embodiment, the housing assembly further includes a mounting portion integrally formed with the lamp housing. The mounting portion is provided with a threaded groove, and the PCB substrate is provided with a fixing hole corresponding to the threaded groove. The vehicle lamp structure further includes a threaded component, one end of which passes through the fixing hole and is disposed in the threaded groove to fix the combined component to the housing assembly.
[0009] In one embodiment, there are multiple connecting terminals and mounting holes, with each connecting terminal corresponding to a mounting hole.
[0010] In one embodiment, the plurality of mounting holes include a differential hole and a standard hole. The projections of the standard hole, the differential hole, and the connection terminal onto the PCB substrate are respectively a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection. The outer contours of the first projection and the third projection have the same shape and size, and the outer contour of the second projection is larger than the outer contour of the third projection.
[0011] In one embodiment, the housing assembly further includes a positioning post disposed on the side of the lamp housing facing the PCB substrate. The PCB substrate has a positioning hole, and the positioning post is configured to cooperate with the positioning hole.
[0012] In one embodiment, the connector housing includes a body and a snap-fit portion, the connection cavity is formed in the body, the snap-fit portion is disposed on one side of the body, and the snap-fit portion is used to fix an external plug connected to the connection terminal.
[0013] In one embodiment, the connector housing further includes two flanges, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main body, and the flanges are disposed on different sides from the snap-fit portion.
[0014] In one embodiment, a sealant layer is provided in the gap between the connecting terminal and the mounting hole.
[0015] In one embodiment, the connector housing includes an opening communicating with the connection cavity, and the vehicle lamp structure further includes a flexible ring mounted around the connector housing to improve the sealing between the external plug and the connector housing.
[0016] This utility model also proposes a vehicle, including a headlight structure as described in any of the above embodiments, and a vehicle frame, wherein the connector housing is disposed on the side of the headlight housing facing the vehicle frame.
[0017] In the technical solution provided by this utility model, the vehicle lamp structure includes a combined component and a housing assembly. The combined component includes a PCB substrate and a connecting terminal, with one end of the connecting terminal fixedly mounted on the PCB substrate. The housing assembly includes a lamp housing, a lamp cover, and a connector housing. The lamp cover and lamp housing together form a receiving cavity. The connector housing is located on the side of the lamp housing facing away from the receiving cavity and is integrally formed with the lamp housing. The connector housing has a connecting cavity. The lamp housing has a mounting hole. The PCB substrate is mounted on the side of the lamp housing facing the receiving cavity. The other end of the connecting terminal passes through the mounting hole and is positioned in the connecting cavity. With this configuration, the vehicle lamp can have a structure for connecting to an external power supply and controller simply by mounting the combined component to the housing assembly, eliminating the need for a separate wiring harness connected to the PCB substrate, saving material costs. Furthermore, this vehicle lamp structure is simple to install, saving time costs and ultimately reducing production costs. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the structures shown in these drawings without creative effort.
[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an embodiment of the vehicle lamp structure provided by this utility model;
[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A structural diagram from another perspective;
[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the decomposed structure;
[0022] Figure 4 A partial structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the vehicle lamp structure provided by this utility model.
[0023] Explanation of icon numbers:
[0024] 100. Headlight structure;
[0025] 1. Combined components; 11. PCB substrate; 111. Mounting holes; 112. Positioning holes; 12. Connecting terminals;
[0026] 2. Housing assembly; 21. Lamp housing; 211. Mounting hole; 22. Connector housing; 221. Connecting cavity; 222. Main body; 223. Snap-fit part; 224. Flange; 23. Mounting part; 24. Positioning post;
[0027] 3. Threaded parts.
[0028] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation
[0029] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0030] It should be noted that if the embodiments of this utility model involve directional indicators (such as up, down, left, right, front, back, etc.), the directional indicators are only used to explain the relative positional relationship and movement of the components in a specific posture. If the specific posture changes, the directional indicators will also change accordingly.
[0031] Furthermore, if the embodiments of this utility model involve descriptions such as "first" or "second," these descriptions are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying their relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of those features. Additionally, the use of "and / or" or "and / or" throughout the text includes three parallel solutions. For example, "A and / or B" includes solution A, solution B, or a solution where both A and B are satisfied simultaneously. Furthermore, the technical solutions of the various embodiments can be combined with each other, but this must be based on the ability of those skilled in the art to implement them. When the combination of technical solutions is contradictory or impossible to implement, it should be considered that such a combination of technical solutions does not exist and is not within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.
[0032] The existing connection structure between automotive lights and the vehicle's power supply mainly consists of electronic components (PCB substrate), wiring harnesses, connectors, and clips. The electronic components inside the light are connected to the connectors on the outside of the light via the wiring harness to achieve power supply and signal transmission. This connection method requires that after the wiring harness is connected to the electronic components inside the light, the connector must be clipped onto the clips on the outside of the light housing to ensure a stable connection.
[0033] During the production and assembly of the connection structure between the vehicle lights and the vehicle's power supply, the applicant's research revealed that electronic components, wiring harnesses, and connectors need to be produced and prepared separately. The clips and the headlight housing are integrally injection molded. During installation, one end of the wiring harness is first soldered to the electronic component, then the connector is connected to the wiring harness, and finally the connector is clipped into the clip. After conducting research and statistics on vehicle component assembly lines and front-line workers, the applicant found that the assembly efficiency of this connection mechanism is difficult to keep up with the increasingly rapid production pace, and the connection structure itself is relatively complex, which is not conducive to reducing material and time costs.
[0034] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a vehicle lamp structure to solve the above-mentioned technical problems.
[0035] Please see Figures 1 to 4In one embodiment of this utility model, the vehicle lamp structure 100 includes a combined element 1 and a housing assembly 2. The combined element 1 includes a PCB substrate 11 and a connecting terminal 12. One end of the connecting terminal 12 is fixedly mounted on the PCB substrate 11. The housing assembly 2 includes a lamp housing 21, a lamp cover (not shown in the figure), and a connector housing 22. The lamp cover and the lamp housing 21 form an accommodating cavity. The connector housing 22 is disposed on the side of the lamp housing 21 away from the accommodating cavity, and the connector housing 22 is integrally formed with the lamp housing 21. The connector housing 22 is provided with a connecting cavity 221. The lamp housing 21 has a mounting hole 211. The PCB substrate 11 is mounted on the side of the lamp housing 21 facing the accommodating cavity. The other end of the connecting terminal 12 passes through the mounting hole 211 and is disposed in the connecting cavity 221.
[0036] Specifically, the PCB substrate 11 is located inside the lamp housing 21, i.e., inside the vehicle lamp, and integrates all the electronic components required for the vehicle lamp, including LED driver chips, resistors, capacitors, and possibly microcontrollers. One end of the PCB substrate 11 has a connection terminal 12, which is used for electrical connection with an external power supply and controller. Specifically, the connection terminal 12 in the vehicle lamp structure 100 is used to connect to an external plug-in, which connects to the vehicle's overall power supply and control components. The connection method between the connection terminal 12 and the PCB substrate 11 includes soldering and press-fit. The housing assembly 2 is integrally molded using injection molding, and the materials used include one of polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), plastic alloy (PC+ABS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), and acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate copolymer (ASA). The connecting cavity 221 protects the connecting terminal 12 and provides connection space for external plug-ins. The shape of the connecting cavity 221 is designed according to the outer contour of the external plug-ins. In this embodiment, the cross-section of the connecting cavity 221 is a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The connector housings 22 on both sides of the connecting cavity 221 are also provided with guide grooves (not shown in the figure). The guide grooves extend along the extension direction of the connecting cavity 221 to limit the movement path of the external plug-ins and avoid damage to the connecting terminal 12. The vehicle lamp structure 100 formed by the combination of the housing assembly 2 and the combined element 1 does not require a wiring harness and a clip provided on the outside of the lamp housing 21, thus saving material costs. Moreover, the welding process between the wiring harness and the PCB substrate 11 and the snap-fit process between the connector and the clip are eliminated during assembly, thus reducing the assembly time of the vehicle lamp structure 100 and saving time costs.
[0037] In the technical solution provided in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp structure 100 includes a combined element 1 and a housing assembly 2. The combined element 1 includes a PCB substrate 11 and a connecting terminal 12, with one end of the connecting terminal 12 fixedly mounted on the PCB substrate 11. The housing assembly 2 includes a lamp housing 21, a lamp cover, and a connector housing 22. The lamp cover and the lamp housing 21 enclose a receiving cavity. The connector housing 22 is disposed on the side of the lamp housing 21 facing away from the receiving cavity and is integrally formed with the lamp housing 21. The connector housing 22 has a connecting cavity 221. The lamp housing 21 has a mounting hole 211. The PCB substrate 11 is mounted on the side of the lamp housing 21 facing the receiving cavity. The other end of the connecting terminal 12 passes through the mounting hole 211 and is disposed in the connecting cavity 221. With this configuration, the vehicle lamp can have a structure for connecting to an external power supply and controller simply by installing the combined element 1 on the housing assembly 2, without the need for a separate wiring harness to connect to the PCB substrate 11, saving material costs. Furthermore, the vehicle lamp structure 100 is simple to install, saving time costs and ultimately reducing production costs.
[0038] Furthermore, in one embodiment of this utility model, the housing assembly 2 further includes a mounting portion 23, which is integrally formed with the lamp housing 21. The mounting portion 23 is provided with a threaded groove, and the PCB substrate 11 has a fixing hole 111 corresponding to the threaded groove. The vehicle lamp structure 100 also includes a threaded component 3, one end of which passes through the fixing hole 111 and is disposed in the threaded groove (not shown in the figure) to fix the combined component 1 to the housing assembly 2. Please refer to [link to previous text]. Figures 1 to 3 The mounting part 23 protrudes from the lamp housing 21 on the outer side. This design is due to the relatively small thickness of the lamp housing 21. If the combined component 1 and the lamp housing 21 were directly connected using a threaded part 3, vibration during vehicle use could easily cause the connection to loosen, thus reducing the lifespan of the lamp. By making the connecting part protrude, the threaded part 3, after passing through the fixing hole 111 and being installed in the threaded groove, can improve the connection stability of the lamp during vehicle use and reduce loosening caused by vibration. At the same time, placing the protruding part of the mounting part 23 on the outer side of the lamp housing 21 avoids occupying the compact space inside the lamp, which helps to reduce the difficulty of planning the internal space of the lamp.
[0039] In one embodiment of this utility model, there are multiple connecting terminals 12 and mounting holes 211, with each connecting terminal 12 corresponding to a mounting hole 211. This one-to-one correspondence between each connecting terminal 12 and its corresponding mounting hole 211 ensures precise alignment of each component during assembly, reducing assembly errors and improving the stability and reliability of the overall structure. Furthermore, the multiple mounting holes 211 include a differential hole and a standard hole. The projections of the standard hole, the differential hole, and the connecting terminal 12 onto the PCB substrate 11 are respectively a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection. The outer contours of the first and third projections have the same shape and size, while the outer contour of the second projection is larger than that of the third projection. That is, the hole size of the differential hole is larger than the outer contour size of the connecting terminal 12, and there is a clearance fit between the differential hole and the connecting terminal 12. The design of the differential hole ensures the compatibility between the connecting terminal 12 and the mounting hole 211 even when facing manufacturing tolerances or design changes. It also improves the ease of installation of the connecting terminal 12. Due to the presence of the differential hole, even small errors occurring during production and assembly can be corrected, thereby reducing assembly errors. A standard hole is primarily used as a positioning reference for multiple connecting terminals 12 to prevent assembly errors.
[0040] In one embodiment of this utility model, the housing assembly 2 further includes a positioning post 24, which is disposed on the side of the lamp housing 21 facing the PCB substrate 11. The PCB substrate 11 has a positioning hole 112, and the positioning post 24 is configured to cooperate with the positioning hole 112. Please refer to [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The positioning post 24 is located inside the lamp housing 21. One end of the positioning post 24 is integrally formed with the lamp housing 21, and the other end passes through the positioning hole 112 to achieve a quick positioning function. The design of the positioning post 24 and the positioning hole 112 ensures that the PCB substrate 11 is quickly aligned to the correct position during assembly, avoiding installation difficulties caused by the lamp housing 21 obstructing the view of the connection terminal 12 and the mounting hole 211. This reduces adjustments during assembly and improves assembly efficiency. Simultaneously, the cooperation between the positioning post 24 and the positioning hole 112 allows for even force distribution, avoiding the need for only the threaded part 3 and the connection terminal 12 to bear the torque. This reduces structural deformation or damage caused by uneven force distribution and enhances the overall structural stability.
[0041] Please see Figure 4In one embodiment of this utility model, the connector housing 22 includes a main body 222 and a latching part 223. A connecting cavity 221 is formed in the main body 222, and the latching part 223 is disposed on one side of the main body 222. The latching part 223 is used to fix the external plug connected to the connecting terminal 12. In this embodiment, the two sides of the main body 222 along the arrangement direction of the plurality of connecting terminals 12 are referred to as the operating side, and the opposite two sides of the main body 222 other than the operating side are referred to as the fixing side. The latching part 223 is disposed on the fixing side, and the latching part 223 has a symmetrical structure. The cross-section of the connecting cavity 221 is a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The axis of symmetry of any cross-section of the latching part 223 coincides with the axis of symmetry of the cross-section of the connecting cavity 221. Through this arrangement, the connector housing 22 can effectively fix the external plug, ensuring the stability and reliability of the connection and preventing the plug from falling off due to vibration or external force. Furthermore, the main body 222 is connected to the external plug via the snap-fit part 223, which simplifies the installation and disassembly process of the external plug, making it easier for assembly workers to connect and disconnect, thus improving ease of use.
[0042] In addition, the connector housing 22 also includes two flanges 224, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main body 222, and are disposed on different sides from the latching portion 223. Specifically, in this embodiment, the two flanges 224 are respectively disposed on two fixed sides of the main body 222. As an additional part on the main body 222, the flanges 224 can play a reinforcing role, reduce compressive stress, and improve the service life of the main body 222. Furthermore, the flanges 224 serve as positioning features, making it easier for assembly workers to determine the insertion position of the external plug. Moreover, during vehicle maintenance, the flanges 224 can provide both visual and tactile cues, helping maintenance personnel to perform correct assembly in situations where vision is limited or blind operation is required.
[0043] In one embodiment of this utility model, a sealant layer is provided in the gap between the connecting terminal 12 and the mounting hole 211. The sealant layer can be implemented in various ways. In this embodiment, after the connecting terminal 12 is inserted into the mounting hole 211, an assembly worker or robot uses a glue gun to inject sealant into the gap between the mounting hole 211 and the connecting terminal 12. The sealant layer is formed after it dries or is baked dry. Since automotive headlights are exposed to a humid environment for extended periods, the sealant layer effectively prevents mold growth and forms a protective film, preventing moisture and mold from penetrating the headlight's interior. Simultaneously, the sealant layer secures the connection between the connecting terminal 12 and the mounting hole 211, reducing the likelihood of poor connection between the connecting terminal 12 and the external plug due to vibration, and improving connection stability.
[0044] In one embodiment of this utility model, the connector housing 22 includes an opening communicating with the connecting cavity 221. The vehicle lamp structure 100 also includes a flexible ring, which is installed around the opening in the connector housing 22 to improve the sealing between the external plug and the connector housing 22. The flexible ring is installed on the connector housing 22 circumferentially along the opening, and the connection method includes one of adhesive bonding and hot-melt butt welding. After the assembly component 1 is manufactured, the flexible ring is installed on the connector housing 22 and then sent to the assembly process for assembly. The flexible ring is made of one of nitrile rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, and polyurethane rubber. Through this arrangement, a sealing layer is formed between the connector housing 22 around the opening and the external plug that needs to be inserted into the connector housing 22 during assembly, preventing moisture from entering the connector housing 22 and causing the connecting terminal 12 to become damp and corroded or affecting the connection stability between the connecting terminal 12 and the external plug.
[0045] This utility model also proposes a vehicle including a headlight structure 100. The specific structure of the headlight structure 100 is as described in the above embodiments. Since this vehicle adopts all the technical solutions of all the above embodiments, it has at least all the beneficial effects brought about by the technical solutions of the above embodiments, which will not be described in detail here. The vehicle also includes a frame, with a connector housing 22 disposed on the side of the headlight housing 21 facing the frame. This arrangement allows for a simpler vehicle appearance and prevents the sealed parts of the headlight from being exposed to the outside, thereby improving the sealing performance of the headlight.
[0046] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present utility model and does not limit the patent scope of the present utility model. Any equivalent structural transformations made based on the technical concept of the present utility model and the contents of the present utility model specification and drawings, or direct / indirect applications in other related technical fields, are included within the patent protection scope of the present utility model.
Claims
1. A vehicle lamp structure, characterized in that, include: A combined component, the combined component including a PCB substrate and a connecting terminal, one end of the connecting terminal being fixedly mounted on the PCB substrate; A housing assembly includes a lamp housing, a lamp shade, and a connector housing. The lamp shade and the lamp housing together form a receiving cavity. The connector housing is disposed on the side of the lamp housing opposite to the receiving cavity and is integrally formed with the lamp housing. The connector housing has a connecting cavity. The lamp housing has a mounting hole. The PCB substrate is mounted on the side of the lamp housing facing the receiving cavity. The other end of the connecting terminal passes through the mounting hole and is disposed in the connecting cavity.
2. The vehicle headlight structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing assembly further includes a mounting part, which is integrally formed with the lamp housing. The mounting part is provided with a threaded groove, and the PCB substrate is provided with a fixing hole corresponding to the threaded groove. The vehicle lamp structure also includes a threaded component, one end of which passes through the fixing hole and is disposed in the threaded groove to fix the combined component to the housing assembly.
3. The vehicle headlight structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The number of the connecting terminals and the mounting holes is multiple, and the connecting terminals and the mounting holes are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence.
4. The vehicle headlight structure as described in claim 3, characterized in that, The plurality of mounting holes include a differential hole and a standard hole. The projections of the standard hole, the differential hole, and the connection terminal onto the PCB substrate are respectively a first projection, a second projection, and a third projection. The outer contours of the first projection and the third projection have the same shape and size. The outer contour of the second projection is larger than that of the third projection.
5. The vehicle headlight structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The housing assembly further includes a positioning post, which is disposed on the side of the lamp housing facing the PCB substrate. The PCB substrate has a positioning hole, and the positioning post is configured to cooperate with the positioning hole.
6. The vehicle headlight structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connector housing includes a main body and a snap-fit portion. The connection cavity is formed in the main body, and the snap-fit portion is disposed on one side of the main body. The snap-fit portion is used to fix an external plug that is connected to the connection terminal.
7. The vehicle headlight structure as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The connector housing also includes two flanges, which are respectively disposed on opposite sides of the main body, and the flanges are disposed on different sides from the snap-fit portion.
8. The vehicle headlight structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A sealant layer is provided in the gap between the connecting terminal and the mounting hole.
9. The vehicle lamp structure as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The connector housing includes an opening communicating with the connection cavity, and the vehicle lamp structure also includes a flexible ring, which is installed around the connector housing to improve the sealing between the external plug and the connector housing.
10. A vehicle, characterized in that, The vehicle lamp structure includes any one of claims 1 to 9, and further includes a vehicle frame, wherein the connector housing is disposed on the side of the lamp housing facing the vehicle frame.