Light Source Holder Reference Geometry for Camera-Guided LED Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light source mounting systems for vehicle lighting devices face precision issues due to hidden referencing elements when using automation systems with cameras, leading to imprecise positioning of LEDs relative to shaping optics.

Innovation Solution

A light source support design with transverse faces allows for more precise positioning by aligning a camera to capture images along an axis parallel to one face, ensuring visibility of referencing elements, even if they are aligned parallel to the optics axis, facilitating precise alignment of LEDs with respect to all referencing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a camera is used to capture images for automated LED positioning, then automation and productivity are improved, but referencing elements aligned parallel to the camera's optical axis become invisible, worsening measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of LED mountingVSAvoidvisibility of referencing elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The referencing element is designed to extend along two transverse axes (first and second given axes) rather than a single axis. This two-dimensional configuration ensures that at least one portion of the referencing element is always visible to the camera regardless of the support's orientation, resolving the contradiction between automation and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If referencing elements extend into walls of the support parallel to the camera's optical axis, then the support structure can be compact, but the referencing elements become invisible, worsening positioning accuracy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport structure compactnessVSAvoidLED positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The referencing element extends along two transverse axes (first and second given axes) that are perpendicular to each other. This ensures that even if one portion is hidden within a wall parallel to the camera's optical axis, the other portion extending along the transverse direction remains visible, maintaining positioning accuracy while allowing compact support design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the referencing element serve different functions: one portion provides structural integration into the support wall, while the other portion provides visible reference for camera-based positioning. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between compact structure and positioning accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Stability of the object's composition

If the support has complex geometry with walls perpendicular to the LED positioning surface, then the support can provide better mechanical stability, but referencing elements become hidden from the camera, worsening automated positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stability of supportVSAvoidcamera visibility of reference elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The referencing element extends along two transverse axes that are perpendicular to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the support. This two-dimensional configuration ensures that at least one portion of the referencing element is always visible to the camera from the front, even when the support has complex geometry with perpendicular walls, thereby maintaining automated positioning capability while preserving mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3299701B1Light-source holder with a reference element extending along two axes
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3299701B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3299701B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3299701B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a support (20) for a light source (11) of a motor vehicle lighting device comprising: - a positioning zone for the light source, - referencing elements (39, 36, 50) along three given axes (Z, X, Y) transverse to each other, one of the referencing elements, called the referencing element in two portions (50), comprising: ∘ a first portion (51) extending along or parallel to a first (Z) of the three given axes, and ∘ a second portion (52) extending transversely with respect to this first given axis (Z).