Vehicle Rear Lamp Mounting With Adjustable Ball-Joint Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The dispersion of the distance between the connecting sheet metal and the body panel in motor vehicle headlights is high, making it difficult to precisely position and orient the projector lens through the opening in the panel, regardless of the lens's geometric shape.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement using three adjustable ball joints between the housing and the rear face of the panel, with screw-nut systems, allows for precise positioning and orientation of the projector lens through the opening, regardless of the lens's shape, by adjusting the positioning of the glass from the rear of the housing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If an intermediate connecting piece is used to secure the headlight housing to the tubular chassis, then the headlight can be mounted on the front body panel, but the dispersion of the distance between the connecting sheet metal and the body panel becomes high, making it difficult to position and orient the projector lens precisely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the adjustable parameters from simple mounting position to multi-degree-of-freedom adjustment including lateral position, vertical position, and rotational orientation. The ball joint mechanism with spherical head and cage allows adjustment in multiple directions, enabling precise positioning of the projector lens regardless of variations in panel thickness or mounting tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic adjustability to the previously static mounting system. The ball joint connection allows the projector housing to be adjusted and repositioned dynamically during assembly and maintenance, transforming a rigid fixed-position system into a flexible adjustable system that can compensate for manufacturing variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If a fixed mounting system is used, then the structure is simple, but the lens cannot be precisely centered and oriented in the opening regardless of its geometric shape

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting system complexityVSAvoidcentering precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the mounting system into distinct functional components: the ball joint mechanism for position adjustment, the screw-nut systems for fine-tuning, and the adjustable housing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving precise positioning without requiring the entire system to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ball joint acts as an intermediary mechanism between the fixed panel and the adjustable projector housing. It provides a flexible connection that mediates between the rigid panel structure and the need for precise lens positioning, allowing adjustment while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4644181A1Arrangement of a lighting and/or signalling device on a body element of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.11.05 STELLANTIS AUTO SAS
  • EP4644181A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4644181A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4644181A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Title of the invention: Arrangement of a lighting and/or signaling device on a bodywork element of a motor vehicle. Arrangement (AG2) of a lighting and/or signaling device (PRJ) at the rear of a bodywork panel (PAN) of a motor vehicle (VHL), said panel delimiting an opening (OUV) opposite which the device is positioned; said device comprising a housing (BTR) fixed on the rear face (FAR) of the panel and a lens (GLA) of determined geometric shape, closing the housing and extending through said opening, having the same determined geometric shape; said arrangement further comprising at least three adjustable ball joints (LR1, LR2), arranged between the housing and the rear face of the panel around the opening;said connections allowing both the fixing of the housing to the rear face of the housing and the adjustment of the positioning of the glass through the opening from the rear of the housing.