Automotive Luminous Device Substrate Coupling via Abutment Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automotive lighting devices face challenges in electrical and mechanical continuity between adjacent electronics substrates, particularly when multiple substrates are required for controlled light sources, with no existing solutions effectively addressing these issues.

Innovation Solution

An automotive luminous device design that uses a support part with a first substrate and a second substrate, where an abutment part presses the second substrate against the first to establish electrical coupling, eliminating the need for soldering or welding, and utilizing existing components like bezels or optical parts for mechanical support, while also providing pressure to maintain contact and reduce fretting corrosion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple substrates are used in the luminous device, then the device can accommodate more light sources and different regulatory requirements, but electrical connection and mechanical continuity between substrates become problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to accommodate different regulatory requirements (ECE/SAE)VSAvoidelectrical connection between substrates
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the electronic circuit into multiple separate substrates (first substrate and second substrate) that can be independently designed and manufactured. This segmentation allows adaptation to different regulatory requirements (ECE/SAE) while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the abutment part that presses the substrates together, eliminating the need for complex soldering or welding between substrates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple substrates are used, then the device can be designed for different configurations, but additional parts for connection are required increasing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of connection parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment part is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the second substrate, establishes electrical connection between substrates through pressure contact, and maintains mechanical continuity. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate connection parts, reducing device complexity while maintaining configuration flexibility for different regulatory requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If substrates are pressed together to establish electrical contact, then soldering or welding is eliminated, but contact reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelimination of soldering or weldingVSAvoidelectrical contact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The abutment part is designed with predetermined geometric features (protrusions, recesses, or elastic elements) that automatically apply the necessary pressing force when the device is assembled. This preliminary design of the pressing mechanism ensures reliable electrical contact between substrates without requiring soldering or welding, while the contact force is pre-calculated to maintain stability during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 solution allows for the use of multiple substrates without additional parts, reducing manufacturing costs, ensuring reliable electrical contact, and maintaining mechanical stability, while preventing fretting corrosion and accommodating different regulatory requirements.

Implementation Method 1

an abutment part different from the first substrate arranged to press the second substrate against the first substrate so that the first and second electric contact zones are electrically coupled

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

maintaining mechanical stability, while preventing fretting corrosion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4203627A1Automotive luminous device
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4203627A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4203627A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4203627A1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

The invention provides an automotive luminous device (10) for a signaling function, the automotive luminous device comprising a support part (3), a first substrate (1) comprising fixing means to be fixed to the support part, a second substrate (2) and an abutment part (9). The first substrate (1) comprises an electronic circuit with a first light source (4) and a first electric contact zone (5). The second substrate (2) comprises an electronic circuit with a second light source (6) and a second electric contact zone (7) faced to the first electric contact zone (5) . The abutment part (9) is different from the first substrate and is arranged to press the second substrate against the first substrate so that the first and second electric contact zones (5, 7) are electrically coupled, so that the electronic circuit of the first and second substrates (1, 2) are electrically coupled.