Bumper Grille Lighting Layout for Frontal Impact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bumper grille lighting systems in motor vehicles are vulnerable to damage during frontal impacts, necessitating additional shock absorption measures.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device design with varying distances between components, including a rear housing and front wall, and incorporating features like inclined portions and grooves in the diffusion plate, minimizes damage by distributing impact forces and protecting critical elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the lighting device is positioned close to the front wall for aesthetic integration, then the visual appearance and brand identification are improved, but the lighting system becomes vulnerable to damage during frontal impacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a third dimension (depth/distance from front wall) to resolve the contradiction. The lighting device is positioned at a variable distance from the front wall, creating a gradient from upper end (greater distance) to lower end (lesser distance). This spatial arrangement allows the lower portion to be protected by the vehicle structure during impact while maintaining overall aesthetic integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting device employs asymmetric positioning relative to the front wall, with the upper end positioned at a greater distance than the lower end. This asymmetric configuration optimizes both aesthetic appearance and impact protection by strategically placing critical components in zones of varying vulnerability.
2Reliability
If the lighting device is positioned far from the front wall for impact protection, then damage during frontal impacts is reduced, but aesthetic integration and brand identification are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing the depth dimension between the front wall and rear housing, the patent achieves optimal balance between protection and aesthetics. The variable distance configuration allows critical components to be positioned in protected zones while maintaining visual integration through strategic placement and optical design.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the lighting device are positioned at different distances from the front wall according to their specific requirements. The upper end (with electronic components) is positioned farther for protection, while the lower end is positioned closer for aesthetic continuity, creating locally optimized quality distribution.
3Reliability
If critical electronic components are positioned in the upper end of the lighting device, then damage during impact is minimized as they remain above the impact zone, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is segmented into functional zones along its length, with critical electronic components concentrated in the upper end and optical elements in the lower end. This segmentation allows strategic positioning of vulnerable components in protected zones while maintaining functional integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the protective function with the structural housing design. The rear housing and mounting structure simultaneously provide mechanical support and impact protection for electronic components, eliminating the need for separate protective enclosures and reducing overall device complexity.
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 design effectively reduces damage to the lighting system during frontal impacts by maintaining critical components above the impact zone, thus preventing direct contact with the vehicle's structure.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusion plate, an upper edge of said diffusion plate being disposed opposite the light source
Implementation Method 2
the front wall being transparent or translucent
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a bumper grille lighting device (20), extending between an upper end (22) and a lower end (24) and comprising a rear housing (26) and a front wall (28) defining an internal space (40); the lighting device further comprising a printed circuit board (30), a light source (32) and a diffusion plate (34), received in the internal space; the printed circuit board (30) and the light source (32) being disposed at the upper end (22) of the lighting device; the lighting device being configured such that: a first distance (42) separates the rear housing and the front wall at the upper end (22); and a second distance (44) separates the rear housing and the front wall at the lower end (24); the second distance being less than the first distance.