Motor Vehicle Door Trim Ambient Lighting Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ambient lighting devices for motor vehicle door trims require specific arrangements on the carrier panel for fixing, leading to increased design complexity and costs, making them economically unviable for all vehicle versions.

Innovation Solution

A door trim with a support interface integral to the carrier panel, featuring fixing members with radial protuberances that cooperate with orifices to securely attach the ambient lighting device without needing specific panel arrangements, allowing the same part to be used across all vehicle versions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If specific arrangements are made on the carrier panel for fixing the ambient lighting device, then the lighting device can be securely attached, but the design complexity and costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing securityVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing system is segmented into separate components: the support interface with orifices remains integral to the carrier panel, while the fixing members with radial protuberances are attached to the trim. This segmentation allows the carrier panel to maintain its simple integral structure without complex molded arrangements, while the trim carries the fixing mechanism that provides secure attachment through cooperation with the support interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The support interface with orifices serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the ambient lighting device, enables attachment of the trim via fixing members, and maintains compatibility across all vehicle versions. The same integral support interface can be used whether or not an ambient lighting device is installed, eliminating the need for version-specific panel designs.

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

2Reliability

If specific arrangements are made on the carrier panel for fixing the ambient lighting device, then the lighting device can be securely attached, but the manufacturing costs increase due to specialized molds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing securityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the fixing system so that the support interface remains integral to the carrier panel while the fixing members are attached to the trim, the carrier panel can be manufactured using standard injection molding processes without expensive specialized arrangements. This reduces mold design and manufacturing costs significantly while maintaining secure attachment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The integral support interface serves as a universal component that can be used across all vehicle versions regardless of whether an ambient lighting device is installed. This universality eliminates the need for version-specific carrier panels, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost while enabling secure attachment when the lighting device is present.

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

3Reliability

If version-specific molds are used for carrier panels, then the ambient lighting device can be properly fixed, but the economic viability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing capabilityVSAvoidversion compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support interface with orifices is designed as a universal integral component that can be used across all vehicle versions. The same carrier panel with the integral support interface can accommodate versions with or without ambient lighting devices, eliminating the need for version-specific molds and improving economic viability while maintaining fixing capability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing functionality is segmented and attached to the trim rather than being integral to the carrier panel. This allows the carrier panel to remain identical across all versions, while the trim with fixing members provides the version-specific attachment capability when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 simplifies the attachment process, reduces design and material costs, and enables the same ambient lighting device to be used across different vehicle versions, enhancing economic viability.

Implementation Method 1

fixing members extending transversely from said trim and successively crossing said support interface and said carrier panel at the level of orifices made in these two elements, the free ends of said fixing members further having radial protuberances cooperating in abutment with the periphery of said orifices formed in said carrier panel so as to firmly retain the stack of said support interface and of said carrier panel against said trim

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastener: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 2

said pre-holding means comprise at least one elastically deformable tongue partially delimiting said orifice of said support interface and exerting a pressing force against said fixing member passing through this orifice

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3580095B1Motor vehicle door trim incorporating an ambient lighting device
Publication Date: 2020.11.18 PSA AUTOMOBILES SA
  • EP3580095B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3580095B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle door trim including a supporting panel (11), a trim (14) added to said supporting panel (11) so as to cover same at least partially, an ambient lighting device (20) comprising lighting means (30) being supported at least partially by a supporting interface (40) rigidly connected to said supporting panel (11), attachment members (17) extending transversely from said trim (14) and consecutively passing through said supporting interface (40) and said supporting panel (11) at openings (43, 18) made in said two elements, the free ends of said attachment members (17) also having radial projections (17A) abutting with the perimeter of said openings (18) made in said supporting panel (11) so as to firmly retain the stack of said supporting interface (40) and said supporting panel (11) against said trim (14).