Multi-Light-Guide Vehicle Lamp Layout for Compact Visible Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle headlight assemblies with connecting ribbon cables for light guides face issues of mechanical strength, assembly time, and aesthetic appeal, while also occupying excessive space, which complicates compatibility with pedestrian impact and other vehicle components.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle optical unit design featuring a support with visible patterns and a gap between these patterns, along with a connecting ribbon cable, which integrates aesthetically pleasing designs and reduces the unit's technical volume.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a connecting ribbon cable is used to join light guides into a single unit, then assembly time is reduced and mechanical strength is improved, but the aesthetic appeal deteriorates and the technical volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly timeVSAvoidaesthetic appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies surface treatment to the connecting ribbon cable to make it visually appealing. Specifically, the cable is given a glossy finish or painted to match the aesthetic appearance of surrounding components, transforming it from a purely functional element into an aesthetically acceptable visible component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the aesthetic requirement from the connecting ribbon cable by treating it as a separate design element. The cable is designed with specific surface properties independent of its structural function, allowing it to be optimized for both mechanical strength and visual appearance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Volume of stationary object

If the connecting ribbon cable is made visible through transparent areas, then the technical volume of the optical unit can be reduced, but the aesthetic appeal deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetechnical volumeVSAvoidaesthetic appeal
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting ribbon cable is surface-treated with a glossy finish or paint that matches the aesthetic appearance of surrounding components. This allows the cable to be visible through transparent areas without compromising the overall aesthetic appeal of the optical unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different surface treatments to different parts of the connecting ribbon cable. The portions visible through transparent areas receive aesthetic surface treatment, while other portions maintain their functional characteristics. This localized differentiation allows the cable to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If the optical unit is made compact to fit vehicle constraints, then compatibility with pedestrian impact and other components is improved, but the space for concealing the connecting ribbon cable is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptical unit sizeVSAvoidconcealment capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the aesthetic requirement from the connecting ribbon cable by treating it as a separate design element. The cable is designed with specific surface properties independent of its structural function, allowing it to be optimized for both mechanical strength and visual appearance simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting ribbon cable is surface-treated with a glossy finish or paint that matches the aesthetic appearance of surrounding components. This allows the cable to be visible through transparent areas without compromising the overall aesthetic appeal of the optical unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP4409197B1Vehicle lamp with multiple light guide
Publication Date: 2026.01.14 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4409197B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4409197B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4409197B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An optical vehicle unit comprising a casing (2) and an outer lens. Light guides (40) and a carrier (5) on which the light guides (40) are arranged are housed in the casing (2). The light guides (40) are joined to one another though a junction sheet (400). The junction sheet (400) and the light guides (40) form a single object (4). This single object (4) is arranged on a carrier (5). The carrier (5) comprises a first relief pattern (51) visible through the outer lens. The junction sheet (400) comprises a second relief pattern (41) visible through the outer lens. A gap (6), left between the junction sheet (400) and the carrier (5), is placed between the first and second patterns (51, 41).