Lighting Housing with Concealed Retaining Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
The visible mechanical holding means for securing a crystal in a motor vehicle lighting and/or signaling device are aesthetically unappealing and require additional design efforts to conceal them from view.
Innovation Solution
A housing with a bonding groove and a holding element that is partially concealed within the groove, allowing for the production of a seamless, one-piece casing that hides the holding element, and an intermediate piece with a partition to seal the groove, enabling glue deposition without leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical holding means are provided on the glass and case to temporarily hold the glass during glue setting, then the glass is securely retained while the glue sets, but the holding means are visible through the glass which requires additional bodywork modifications to conceal them
Solution Approach 1:
The holding means are extracted from the visible exterior and relocated to the interior of the housing, specifically positioned within the bonding groove. This allows the mechanical retention function to be maintained while the holding means become invisible from the outside, eliminating the need for additional bodywork modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonding groove serves as an intermediary structure that accommodates the holding means. By placing the holding means within this groove, the design provides a concealed location that naturally hides the mechanical retention elements while still allowing them to perform their function of temporarily securing the glass during assembly.
2Productivity
If the housing is made in one piece by molding, then production is simplified and manufacturing efficiency is improved, but the holding element must be integrated into the mold which requires a movable drawer mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The mold incorporates a movable drawer mechanism that transforms from a static to a dynamic structure during the molding process. This movable component allows the holding element to be formed within the groove and then extracted, enabling one-piece housing production while accommodating the complex geometry of the integrated holding means.
Solution Approach 2:
The mold is segmented into fixed and movable parts, with the drawer portion that can move to form and extract the holding element. This segmentation of the molding tool allows for the creation of complex integrated features in the housing without requiring multiple separate molding operations, thus maintaining high productivity.
3Ease of manufacture
If the inner rim has an opening opposite the retaining element, then the mold drawer can move during the molding process, but the opening must be sealed to prevent glue leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediate part with its sealing partition is installed before the gluing operation. This preliminary action ensures that the opening in the inner rim is already sealed before any glue is applied, preventing potential leakage while maintaining the necessary opening for the mold drawer during the molding process.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediate part acts as an intermediary sealing element that bridges the opening in the inner rim. This intermediate component allows the mold drawer to access the holding element during molding while preventing glue from escaping through the opening during the subsequent gluing operation.
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
The solution allows for a completely invisible holding mechanism, simplifying production and enhancing the device's aesthetics by eliminating the need for additional concealment designs and ensuring a secure, permanent attachment of the crystal.
Implementation Method 1
apply glue to the gluing groove of the case for permanent attachment of the glass to the case
Implementation Method 2
The glass may advantageously include an additional retaining means, arranged to cooperate, in particular by snap-fitting, with the retaining element of the case
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The case (1) has a bonding groove (2) engaged with a glass. A retaining element (3) i.e. latching lug, temporarily retains the glass on the case. The element is partially projected from the bonding groove. The bonding groove is formed between an inner edge (21) and an outer edge (22) of the case, where the outer edge partially encircles the inner edge. The element is formed on the outer edge facing an opening (23) of the inner edge. The element is inscribed in the opening when the opening and the element are observed along an axis (X) perpendicular to an opening plane (P). An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a case.