Vehicle Roof Glass Panel Assembly with Shaped Frame Lighting Mount
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glass panel assemblies for vehicle roofs face challenges in achieving uniform light distribution and are prone to damage during manufacturing, especially when embedding light conductive parts in foamed or injection-moulded backings, which complicates the light coupling and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A glass panel assembly with a frame that has a shaped element, allowing an elongate lighting device to be mechanically retained and positioned using a mating shape, eliminating the need for the frame to support the glass panel and reducing the risk of damage during manufacturing, while ensuring direct illumination of the passenger compartment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a light conductive part is embedded in a foamed or injection-moulded backing, then the manufacturing process becomes cost-effective and simple, but the surface of the light conductive part is easily damaged and the appearance finish becomes difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the assembly into separate components: the light conductive part is manufactured independently and then mounted on the frame after the frame is adhered to the glass panel. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured and finished separately, avoiding damage to the light conductive part surface during frame manufacturing while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The frame is first adhered to the glass panel before mounting the light conductive part. This preliminary action sequence ensures that the frame structure is established and ready to receive the light conductive part, allowing the light conductive part to be carefully positioned and secured without being exposed to damaging manufacturing processes.
2Illumination intensity
If a light conductive layer is used to spread light, then lighting can be provided in the glass panel assembly, but achieving uniform light spread becomes relatively difficult and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a frame as an intermediary structure that carries the light conductive part. Instead of embedding the light conductive layer directly in the glass panel or backing, the frame serves as a mediator that holds the light conductive part in an optimal position, allowing for better control of light distribution patterns and uniformity.
Solution Approach 2:
The light conductive part is positioned at specific locations on the frame (such as along edges or at corners) to create localized light sources that collectively provide uniform illumination across the glass panel assembly. This local quality approach allows precise control over light distribution patterns.
3Illumination intensity
If a light guide is provided in a frame part, then interior lighting effect can be achieved, but additional space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The light conductive part is implemented as a thin, flexible component that can be mounted on the frame surface without requiring significant additional space. This thin-film approach allows the lighting function to be integrated into the existing frame structure with minimal volume increase.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of embedding the light guide within the frame volume (three-dimensional space), the patent positions the light conductive part on the frame surface (two-dimensional space). This dimensional transition reduces the volume requirement while maintaining the lighting effect.
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 provides a cost-effective and damage-free method for integrating lighting into vehicle roofs, ensuring uniform light distribution and maintaining the appearance of the glass panel assembly by decoupling the lighting device's installation from the frame's manufacturing process, allowing for easy replacement and customization.
Implementation Method 1
The frame is adhered to the interior main surface
Data Source
AI summary
A glass panel assembly for use in a roof of a vehicle, comprises a glass panel, a frame and an elongate lighting device. The glass panel comprises an interior main surface and the interior main surface of the glass panel is configured to be directed to a passenger compartment of the vehicle. The frame is adhered to the interior main surface and comprises a shaped element. The shaped element is one of a recess and a protrusion. The elongate lighting device is coupled to the frame by a mating shape engaging the shaped element. The lighting device is configured to directly illuminate at least a part of said passenger compartment.