Optical Body Mounting Device for Motor Vehicle Headlights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting devices for optical bodies in motor vehicle headlights cause partial loss of reflective properties when securing ancillary optical systems, leading to instability and potential displacement during the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A mounting device comprising a main body with receptacles for ancillary optical systems, a retaining body with clamping elements that press against optically ineffective regions of connecting webs, and detent elements for secure fastening, ensuring stable positioning without impairing the optical function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the optical body is melted onto the support using a two-component injection-moulding process, then the optical body is securely fixed to the support, but the fully reflective properties of the optical body are partially lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoidloss of reflective properties

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting device is divided into separate functional components: a main body that provides structural support and positioning, and a retaining body that applies clamping force. This segmentation allows the optical body to be secured mechanically without direct thermal contact that would damage its reflective properties.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the thermal bonding process (injection-moulding) with a mechanical fastening system using the retaining body and clamping elements. This substitution eliminates the harmful thermal effect on the optical body while maintaining secure fixation through mechanical means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If the optical body is securely fixed using traditional mounting methods, then stability is improved, but the manufacturing process becomes complex and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining body combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the clamping action through integrated clamping elements, ensures proper positioning via interaction with stop regions, and maintains optical functionality through strategically placed openings. This merging simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of separate parts and assembly steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting device is designed to be self-positioning and self-aligning. The stop regions automatically guide the optical body into the correct position during assembly, and the clamping elements automatically engage with the optical body without requiring complex alignment procedures or additional adjustment steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If clamping elements are used to secure the optical body, then positioning accuracy is improved, but the optical function may be impaired if clamping occurs at critical regions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidoptical function integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The retaining body is designed with spatially differentiated features: clamping elements are positioned to contact only the connecting webs (optically ineffective regions), while openings are strategically located to ensure unobstructed light paths. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of secure positioning and preservation of optical functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting webs serve as intermediary elements that transmit the clamping force from the clamping elements to the optical body. By designing the connecting webs as separate, optically ineffective components, the clamping action is isolated from the optically critical regions, allowing secure fixation without compromising the optical function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10173578B2Securing device for an optical body for a motor vehicle headlight

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 ZKW GRP GMBH

AI summary

The invention relates to a mounting device (100) for an optical body (1) for a motor vehicle headlight or for a light module for a motor vehicle headlight, which optical body (1) has a number of adjacently arranged ancillary optical systems (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), wherein each ancillary optical system (11-15) is formed from a light-guiding material and each ancillary optical system (11-15) has a light coupling-in face (11a-15a) and a light decoupling face (11b-15b), wherein the ancillary optical systems (11-15) are mechanically interconnected in the region of the light decoupling faces (11b-15b) by at least one connecting web (21, 22) extending transversely to the ancillary optical systems (11-15), wherein the at least one connecting web (21, 22) is optically ineffective at least in regions, wherein the mounting device has a main body (101) having receptacles (121, 122) for the optical body (1), and a retaining body (102), which holds the optical body in the main body by means of camping elements (102b, 102c).