Interchangeable Lighting Adaptor Assembly for Vehicle Harness Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle lighting assemblies often require manufacturer-specific wiring harnesses, limiting compatibility with different connector types and increasing costs and complexity, with existing solutions like jumper connectors being expensive and prone to failure.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lighting assembly with an interchangeable adaptor system that includes a housing assembly, a light, and a set of removably connectable adaptors, allowing for universal connection to various vehicle wiring harnesses and electrical systems, featuring a standardized electrical interface and optional sensor integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manufacturer-specific wiring harnesses are used, then the lighting assembly can be integrated into the vehicle manufacturing process, but compatibility with different connector types is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly incorporates a universal electrical interface that can accept multiple types of wiring harness connectors through an adaptor system. The housing assembly includes a standardized receptacle that can interface with different adaptor types, allowing a single lighting assembly design to work with various vehicle wiring systems without requiring manufacturer-specific customizations.
Solution Approach 2:
An adaptor assembly serves as an intermediary component between the universal electrical interface of the lighting assembly and the specific connector types used in different vehicle wiring harnesses. The adaptor translates between the standardized interface and various connector configurations, enabling compatibility without modifying the core lighting assembly or the original wiring harness.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple manufacturer-specific lighting assemblies are maintained, then each can be optimized for its specific wiring system, but inventory costs and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the lighting assembly into two independent components: a universal housing assembly with a standardized electrical interface, and separate adaptor assemblies that connect to specific wiring harness types. This segmentation allows the main lighting assembly to be manufactured once in high volume, while only the adaptors need to be produced in multiple variants to match different connector types.
Solution Approach 2:
A single universal housing assembly design can serve multiple vehicle platforms and wiring systems by simply changing the adaptor component. This universality eliminates the need to maintain separate inventory of complete lighting assemblies for each manufacturer's wiring system, reducing inventory variety while maintaining manufacturing optimization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing lighting assemblies are retrofitted with new functionalities, then advanced features can be added, but additional wiring and complexity are required
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor assembly serves as an intermediary platform that can incorporate additional functionalities such as sensors, communication modules, or control electronics. By placing these advanced features in the adaptor rather than requiring modifications to the original lighting assembly or vehicle wiring, the system enables functional upgrades without adding wiring complexity to the existing vehicle electrical system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a lighting assembly for a vehicle can include a housing assembly and a set of adaptors. Vehicles today are often limited to specific wiring harnesses or connection types based upon manufacturer. Each adaptor of the set of adaptors can include a different connection type. The adaptors are interchangeably connectable to the housing assembly in order to vary the connection type based upon the specific wiring harness or connection type of the particular vehicle.