Vehicle Lighting Housing with Isostatic Shock-Absorbing Mount

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicle lighting systems, especially those integrated with sensors for autonomous navigation, are prone to damage from impacts, leading to costly repairs and disruption of calibration due to increased susceptibility and the need for precise component alignment.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle lighting device with a movable housing attached to a rigid mounting plate, featuring isostatic positioning mechanisms and elastically deformable elements that absorb shocks through multiple degrees of freedom, allowing the housing to retract and return to a stable rest position without disrupting internal components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the lighting system is integrated with sensors for autonomous navigation, then the functionality and intelligence of the vehicle is improved, but the cost of replacement and repair becomes prohibitive

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidreplacement cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by integrating a shock-absorbing mechanism that allows the housing to move relative to the plate before impact damage can occur. The elastically deformable element absorbs impact energy through deformation, protecting the expensive sensor components from damage and avoiding costly replacements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Area of stationary object

If the housing is made larger to enhance aesthetic appeal, then the visual appeal of the vehicle is improved, but the susceptibility to impact and shock increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesurface areaVSAvoidimpact susceptibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transforming the housing from a static structure to a dynamic one that can move relative to the plate. The housing is coupled through an elastically deformable element that allows controlled movement during impact, enabling the larger housing structure to absorb shocks without transmitting full impact forces to internal components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the lighting device allows housing movement to absorb shock, then the protection of internal components is improved, but the positioning precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent protectionVSAvoidcalibration precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the lighting device into distinct functional segments: a movable housing containing optical components, a stationary plate with sensor components, and an elastically deformable coupling element. This segmentation allows the housing to move independently for shock absorption while the plate remains stable for precise sensor positioning and calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively absorbs impacts, ensuring repeatable shock absorption without damaging or misaligning components, maintaining the lighting system's functionality and calibration.

Implementation Method 1

at least one elastically deformable element by which said housing is connected to said mounting plate, so that said housing can be returned to an isostatic rest position relative to said mounting plate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4444578B1Lighting device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4444578B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4444578B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device (1) for a vehicle, comprising a plate (2) including members for fastening the lighting device to a chassis of the vehicle, a housing (3) and at least one lighting module placed in the housing. The lighting device (1) is characterized in that the plate comprises two guide members (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56), in that the housing comprises at least two positioning members (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66), each positioning member being associated with one of the guide members by being capable of coming into contact with said associated guide member in order to define a rest position of the housing on the plate, the housing being mounted on the plate so as to be capable of moving, with at least three degrees of freedom, by means of at least one elastically deformable member (7) capable of returning the housing to said rest position.