Courtesy Lamp Imaging Assembly for Compact Sealed Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional courtesy lamps are bulky, difficult to disassemble, and prone to water ingress due to gaps in the lens module, leading to poor imaging performance.
Innovation Solution
An imaging assembly with specific lens configurations and a housing design that minimizes length and improves sealing, using a first lens with negative power, a second lens with convex and concave surfaces, and a third lens with positive power, along with a housing that separates the imaging and illumination assemblies to enhance installation convenience and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a conventional lens module with multiple lenses is used, then the imaging function can be achieved, but the courtesy lamp becomes longer and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple lenses (first lens with negative power, second lens with positive power, and third lens with negative power) into a compact integrated lens module. This merging approach achieves the desired imaging function while reducing the overall length of the courtesy lamp compared to conventional separate lens arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a nested arrangement where lenses are positioned in a compact sequence within the housing. The first lens, second lens, and third lens are arranged in a nested configuration along the optical axis, maximizing space utilization and minimizing the overall length of the lens module.
2Ease of manufacture
If a split housing structure is used to assemble the lens module, then the assembly process is simplified, but gaps are formed that allow water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a first housing and a second housing that can be separately assembled. The first housing accommodates the light source and illumination assembly, while the second housing contains the lens module. This segmentation simplifies the assembly process while maintaining sealing integrity through precise mating surfaces and sealing structures.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing structure acts as an intermediary element between the first housing and the second housing. This sealing component fills and seals the gaps that would otherwise form at the interface between the two housing parts, preventing water ingress while allowing the segmented housing structure to maintain its assembly advantages.
3Reliability
If water ingress occurs through housing gaps, then the lens module is compromised, but the imaging effect deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is pre-installed at the interface between the first housing and the second housing to prevent water ingress before it can reach the lens module. This beforehand protection ensures that the lens module remains dry and maintains its optical properties, preventing deterioration of the imaging effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of water ingress into a benefit by designing a sealing structure that not only prevents water entry but also provides structural support and alignment for the lens module. The sealing structure becomes a functional element that contributes to both protection and positioning accuracy.
4Length of stationary object
If the courtesy lamp is made compact, then the size is reduced, but the disassembly and maintenance become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into separable parts (first housing and second housing) that can be easily detached from each other. This segmentation allows the lens module to be accessed for maintenance by simply separating the housing parts, even though the overall device is compact. The segmented design maintains ease of repair while achieving size reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is designed with pre-configured assembly and disassembly features that facilitate quick access to internal components. The first housing and second housing are designed with mating structures that allow for tool-free or minimal-tool assembly and disassembly, enabling easy maintenance of the compact lens module without requiring complex disassembly procedures.
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 solution reduces the length of the imaging assembly while maintaining projection quality and improves sealing, ensuring effective miniaturization and ease of installation.
Implementation Method 1
an imaging assembly, along an optical axis and from an image side to an object side, sequentially including: a first lens having a negative power; a second lens having a negative power, an object side surface of the second lens being a convex surface at the optical axis, an image side surface of the second lens being a concave surface at the optical axis; and a third lens having a positive power
Data Source
AI summary
An imaging assembly includes a first lens, a second lens, and a third lens. The imaging assembly satisfies the following relational expressions: 0.9<|f2/f|<2.4 and 0.23<Φ11/TTL<0.45. The illumination and projection apparatus includes the imaging assembly, a housing with a light inlet and a light outlet, and an illumination assembly disposed in a first accommodating space of the housing. The imaging assembly is clamped in a second accommodating space of the housing. The imaging assembly blocks the light outlet, and the illumination assembly blocks the light inlet, which improves sealing performance of the illumination and projection apparatus. An aperture of the second accommodating space is smaller than an aperture of a first accommodating space, which facilitates installation of the imaging assembly and the illumination assembly, and improves convenience of installing the illumination and projection apparatus.