Vehicle Illumination Light Guide Segmentation for Easier Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
The handling of long, thin, and flexible light guides in vehicle illumination devices is complicated due to their length, leading to entanglement and breakage, which delays production and increases rejection rates, as they can get caught in components or tools during assembly.
Innovation Solution
The light guide is divided into two sections with different lengths, where the shorter second section is fixed to the illumination body, allowing coupling with the longer first section during production, reducing entanglement risks and facilitating handling by keeping the longer section manageable and accessible.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the light guide length is increased to bridge the distance between the illumination body and the light source, then the illumination device can be installed in more locations, but the handling during production becomes more complicated and the risk of entanglement and breakage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into two separate sections: a first section that remains attached to the illumination body during production, and a second section that is coupled later. This segmentation allows the first section to remain short and manageable during assembly operations, eliminating entanglement risks, while the total light guide length can still be sufficient to reach the light source when the second section is attached.
2Length of moving object
If the light guide length is increased to reach distant light sources, then more installation locations are accessible, but the production process is delayed and rejection rate increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the light guide into two sections that are coupled at different production stages, the first section remains short during illumination body assembly, preventing entanglement and breakage. This eliminates production delays and reduces rejection rates, while still allowing the complete light guide to reach distant light sources when the second section is attached.
3Ease of operation
If the light guide is coiled during production to manage its length, then handling is improved, but the light guide may still form obstacles for fixation points or break
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of coiling the entire light guide, the invention segments it so that only a short first section is present during production. This eliminates the need for coiling while maintaining ease of handling, and removes the risk of coiled sections forming obstacles or breaking during assembly operations.
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 design simplifies the production process by reducing the risk of entanglement and damage, lowering rejection rates and production costs, while allowing for adjustable light intensity and color, enhancing design flexibility and reducing light loss.
Implementation Method 1
The light provided by the light source is transmitted to the illumination body by light guides
Implementation Method 2
the coupling elements also provide a light coupling between the light source and the light guides
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
AI summary
The present invention relates to an illumination device (12) for an interior part (10) or exterior part of a vehicle (11), comprising a light source (18) for providing light, an illumination body (14) mountable or mounted to the interior part (10) or exterior part for illuminating the same, at least one light guide (26) for guiding the light from the light source (18) into the illumination body (14), wherein the light guide (26) comprises a first section (28) connectable or connected to the light source (18) and a second section (30) connected to the illumination body (14), wherein the first section (28) and the second section (30) are couplable or coupled to each other. Moreover, the present invention is directed to an interior part (10) or exterior part comprising such an illumination device (12) and to a vehicle (11) having such an illumination device (12) and/or such an interior part (10) or exterior part.