Light Guide Inclined-Face Fixing for Vibration-Resistant Modules

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light modules in motor vehicles suffer from poor vibration resistance and complex assembly due to bulky fixing means that disrupt optical functions and allow dust penetration, with individual insertion of light guide ends into clips being a significant constraint.

Innovation Solution

A light module design featuring a support part with inclined faces and a holding part that cooperatively engage to secure light guides, allowing simultaneous assembly and enhanced vibration resistance by stretching and locking the guides in place.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clips and V-shaped hooks are used to fix light guides, then the light guides can be held in place, but the fixing means become bulky and disrupt optical functions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing capabilityVSAvoidbulkiness of fixing means
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the separate clip and V-shaped hook components entirely, extracting the fixing function into the light guide structure itself through the inclined face mechanism. This eliminates the bulky external fixing means while maintaining reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing function is merged with the light guide structure by integrating the inclined face directly into the light guide body. The holding part's second inclined face cooperates with the light guide's first inclined face to create a self-contained fixing mechanism that does not require separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Reliability

If clips and V-shaped hooks are used to fix light guides, then the light guides can be held in place, but dust penetration occurs between light guides and support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing capabilityVSAvoiddust penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates the gap-prone clip and hook structures, replacing them with a continuous inclined face contact system that maintains intimate contact between the light guide and holding part, thereby preventing dust penetration pathways.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using separate fixing components that create gaps, the patent inverts the approach by making the light guide itself the fixing element through its inclined face, which maintains continuous contact and seals against dust ingress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If individual insertion of light guide ends into clips is performed, then each light guide can be secured, but assembly becomes time-consuming and constrained

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing capabilityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple fixing operations into a single simultaneous action. The holding part with multiple second inclined faces can engage multiple light guides at once through their respective first inclined faces, allowing simultaneous assembly of all light guides rather than individual insertion into separate clips.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding part is designed as a universal component that can simultaneously secure multiple light guides of the same type. The multiple second inclined faces provide multi-functionality, allowing one holding part to perform the fixing function for several light guides in a single operation.

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

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 improved vibration resistance and simplified assembly by securing light guides without disrupting optical functions, while creating a space-saving design that prevents movement during vehicle vibrations.

Implementation Method 1

The second inclined face is configured to slide on the first inclined face during mounting of the light guide and the holding part on the support part so as to lengthen the light guide until the light guide is positioned on the upper surface of the support element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

Once placed on the support part, the light guide is locked in position by deformation. Indeed, when the light guide is placed on the support part, the first inclined face and the second inclined face come into contact and the second inclined face slides along the first inclined face, which allows the light guide to be stretched.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4194745B1Light module with light guides with vibration-proof fixing
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4194745B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4194745B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4194745B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle light module (2) comprising: - a light guide (20), - a support piece (3) for the guide comprising a support element (13) on which the guide is positioned with a lateral surface (132), a positioning means (32) of length Lo, projecting from said lateral surface, with a distal end forming a first inclined plane (310), - a retaining piece (21) comprising a second inclined plane (210), the length (L) of the light guide between the second inclined plane (210) and its entry face (200) being less than the length (L0) of the positioning means (32) before the guide is mounted on the support piece (3) and the second inclined plane (210) sliding on the first inclined plane (310) when the light guide (20) is mounted on the support piece (3) so as to lengthen the light guide.