Light Module Conical Shaft Alignment for PCB Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light modules for motor vehicles face challenges in precise positioning of light guides and printed circuit boards due to dimensional tolerances and cramped spaces, leading to complex mounting processes and potential buttressing issues.

Innovation Solution

The use of conical shafts with peripheral fins and bosses for precise alignment and secure fixation of light guides and printed circuit boards, along with elastic latching mechanisms to prevent bending, facilitates easier assembly and minimizes positioning errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If light guides and printed circuit boards are installed separately with respective dimensional tolerances, then manufacturing flexibility is improved, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing flexibilityVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The support piece acts as an intermediary component between the light guides and printed circuit board. It includes shafts that pass through corresponding orifices in both the light guide and PCB, providing a reference framework that ensures precise relative positioning while allowing each component to be manufactured separately with standard tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Volume of moving object

If multiple light guides and printed circuit boards are positioned in a confined space, then device compactness is improved, but assembly complexity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compactnessVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support piece merges multiple positioning functions into a single component. It simultaneously positions the first light guide, second light guide, and printed circuit board through its shafts and fixing mechanisms, reducing the number of separate positioning operations needed and simplifying the overall assembly process despite the confined space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The support piece is prepared in advance with shafts positioned at specific locations corresponding to the orifices in the light guides and PCB. This preliminary configuration of the support piece enables straightforward assembly by guiding the components into their correct positions without requiring complex real-time alignment procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If light guides and printed circuit board are braced on the support piece, then positioning stability is improved, but assembly ease deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidassembly ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing mechanism transitions from a static bracing structure to a dynamic assembly process. The shafts are designed to be inserted through the orifices in a specific sequence, allowing the components to be positioned and then secured. This dynamic approach maintains stability once assembled while keeping the assembly process straightforward.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3884206B1Multi-functional light module provided with two flat light guides
Publication Date: 2023.01.18 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP3884206B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3884206B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3884206B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a light module comprising emission means which are arranged on a printed circuit board (30), first flat light guides (40) and second flat light guides (50) and a support piece (20) comprising two conical shafts (23), the cross-section of which decreases from the base thereof as far as the free end thereof, extending successively through two first corresponding openings which are arranged in said first guide (40) and two second corresponding openings which are arranged in the board (30), said second guide (50) being fitted on the free ends of said shafts (23), each shaft (23) further having an internal bore (23A) which opens at the free end thereof and in which a screw (8), having previously passed through a corresponding hole (55) in the second guide (50), is screwed, the head (8A) of said screw being pressed against the face opposite the board (30) of the second guide (50).