Blind Spot Indicator Lens Assembly for Driver-Focused Illumination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blind spot indicators for motor vehicles face issues with illumination directed away from the driver and high assembly costs, necessitating a solution that efficiently avoids unwanted illumination while reducing costs.

Innovation Solution

A blind spot indicator assembly featuring a printed circuit board (PCB) with a gap for light passage, a lens assembly attached with double-side adhesive tape, and a light control assembly to redirect light, allowing for efficient illumination towards the driver without additional fixations, thus simplifying assembly and reducing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional blind spot indicator assembly is used, then the driver can be warned of objects in blind spots, but illumination is partially directed away from the driver and assembly costs are high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination directionVSAvoidassembly costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into a light source assembly and a reflective assembly, allowing independent optimization of each component's function and simplifying manufacturing processes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A reflective surface is introduced as an intermediary element to redirect light from the light source toward the driver, solving the illumination direction problem without requiring complex optical systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If additional fixations are used to control light direction, then illumination can be directed towards the driver, but assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination directionVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light source assembly and reflective assembly are merged into a single integrated housing structure, eliminating the need for additional fixations and simplifying assembly while maintaining controlled light direction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 assembly provides effective driver-focused illumination while minimizing assembly complexity and costs, enhancing driving safety with a simplified and cost-effective design.

Implementation Method 1

The lens assembly includes a double-side adhesive tape for attaching the lens assembly to the housing and to the above-mentioned second side of the PCB

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

A light control assembly is arranged in the inner surface of the housing or between the PCB and said inner surface of the housing to receive the light projected from the at least one light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

A lens assembly is arranged to close the above-mentioned aperture... The lens assembly is preferably arranged to receive light from the above-mentioned light control assembly

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4578733A1Blind spot indicator assembly for a motor vehicle and method for assembling a blind spot indicator assembly
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 FICOSA AUTOMOTIVE S L U
  • EP4578733A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4578733A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4578733A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A blind spot indicator assembly 100 for a motor vehicle comprises a housing 110 including a first side and an inner surface. It also has a printed circuit board and a lens assembly 160 arranged to close an aperture 120 in the first side. A double-side adhesive tape 170 is provided to the lens assembly 160 for attaching it to the housing 110 and to the printed circuit board 140. A method is also provided for assembling said blind spot indicator assembly.