Vehicle Interior Light Guide Positioning for Simpler Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing interior lighting devices for motor vehicles are complex and costly due to the diversity and number of components, making them difficult to install on vehicles with specific architectures, and there is a need for simplification to optimize installation and reduce costs.

Innovation Solution

The lighting device incorporates a positioning member configured as a light guide that serves dual functions: positioning the transparent wall on the mask and conveying light from the source to the wall, reducing the number of components and simplifying installation by forming an assembly with a light guide to route light to the transparent wall.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple separate components (positioning member and light guide) are used in the lighting device, then the positioning function and light guiding function can be independently optimized, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the positioning member and light guide into a single integrated component. The positioning member is configured as a light guide that simultaneously performs both positioning of the transparent wall and guiding of light from the light source to the wall, thereby reducing the number of components while maintaining both positioning accuracy and light guiding functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning member is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a positioning element to locate the transparent wall on the mask and as a light guide to convey light from the light source to the transparent wall. This multi-functionality reduces device complexity while maintaining reliability

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

2Device complexity

If the lighting device is designed with fixed architecture, then the device structure is simplified, but the adaptability to different vehicle architectures is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidvehicle architecture compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated positioning member/light guide assembly can be adapted to different vehicle architectures by modifying the light guiding path while maintaining the same basic structure. The component serves multiple functions and can be configured for different lighting scenarios (passenger compartment lighting, reading lights, pictogram backlighting) without requiring complete redesign

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

This configuration simplifies the arrangement and reduces the number of components, making the lighting device easier to install on various vehicles, thereby optimizing the lighting system's return on investment and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light guide via which the light emitted by the light source is capable of being conveyed to the transparent wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guide: Optical Fibre

Data Source

PatentEP3941772B1Interior lighting device for a motor vehicle, comprising a transparent wall provided with a member for positioning same on the device which is configured as a light guide
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3941772B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention concerns an interior lighting device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising a housing (2) accommodating at least one light source (3a, 3b) mounted on an electronic control board (4), at least one mask (5) provided with at least one transparent wall (6) mounted on the mask (5) via at least one positioning member (8a, 8b) for positioning the transparent wall (6) on the mask (5), and at least one light guide (9a, 9b) via which the light (F1a, F1b) emitted by the light source (3a,3b) is capable of being conveyed towards the transparent wall (6). The at least one positioning member (8a, 8b) is configured as a light guide.