Vehicle Optical Unit Translucent Screen Coupling Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The coupling of a translucent screen to a mask in vehicle light units is challenging due to visibility issues and aesthetics concerns, as existing methods either make coupling means visible or obscure them, and require multiple visible points for secure fixation.
Innovation Solution
An optical unit design featuring a mask with a first peripheral edge having internal and external coupling means, and a translucent screen with arms and edges providing additional coupling means, allowing for double immobilization in two discreet, invisible locations, ensuring secure attachment without external visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the translucent screen is coupled in the front part of the mask, then the coupling is visible through the transparency, but this harms the aesthetics of the optical block
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of coupling the translucent screen from the front where it would be visible, the patent couples it from the rear side of the mask. The coupling means are positioned on the rear face of the mask's front portion, making them invisible from the front view while still providing secure attachment of the translucent screen.
2Shape
If the translucent screen is coupled in the rear part of the mask, then the coupling elements are concealed, but it proves difficult to implement as the technician cannot see the coupling elements
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-explanatory through its structure. The recesses and protrusions are shaped to guide the translucent screen into the correct position automatically, and the coupling elements are designed to be intuitively assembled without requiring visual inspection or complex alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If the translucent screen is fixed in two distant places, then it is securely held, but this increases the number of visible coupling means and harms aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple coupling functions into a single integrated coupling means located on the rear face of the mask's front portion. This single coupling mechanism provides both longitudinal and lateral stabilization of the translucent screen, eliminating the need for multiple separate coupling points that would be visible from the front.
4Reliability
If multiple coupling points are used, then the translucent screen is securely immobilized, but this increases the complexity of the coupling system
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling means on the rear face of the mask is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides longitudinal positioning, lateral positioning, and rotational stabilization of the translucent screen. This multi-functional coupling mechanism achieves secure immobilization without requiring multiple separate coupling devices.
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical unit (OU) is fitted to a vehicle and comprises a housing that, with a translucent screen (ET), delimits a cavity (CB) containing a mask (MB). The front part of the mask (MB) includes a first peripheral edge (BP1) having, on an inner face (FI), a first protrusion (P11) equipped with a first coupling means (MC1), and on an outer face (FE), a second coupling means (MC2). The translucent screen (ET) includes a second peripheral edge (BP2) to which is attached a first arm (B1) extended by a second arm (B2) including a third coupling means (MC3) cooperating with the first coupling means (MC1) to induce rearward immobilization of the translucent screen (ET) relative to the mask (MB), and including a fourth coupling means (MC4) cooperating with the second coupling means (MC2) to induce forward immobilization of the translucent screen (ET) relative to the mask (MB).