Rear Light Screen Tab for Universal Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of applying test and approval marks on motor vehicle rear lights is increased due to the need for multiple variants of decorative screens for different markets and the additional complexity of applying marks on both the light housing and screen, especially when using laser writing devices.
Innovation Solution
A screen with a passage opening or cutout is designed to accommodate a complementary tab from the light housing, allowing marks to be applied directly to the tab surface, which is visible externally, thereby eliminating the need for additional marks on the screen and enabling a uniform screen design for all vehicles, with the tab also serving as an orientation aid during mounting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If test and approval marks are applied on both the light housing and screen for different markets, then market-specific requirements are met, but device complexity increases due to multiple screen variants
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the marks from the screen and relocates them to the light housing tab. The screen is simplified to have only a passage opening without any marks, while all market-specific test and approval marks are applied exclusively on the tab of the light housing. This separation eliminates the need for multiple screen variants across different markets.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab of the light housing serves multiple functions: it provides structural support for the screen, acts as a mounting feature, and serves as the universal location for all market-specific marks. This multi-functional design allows a single screen design to be used across all markets while still meeting diverse marking requirements.
2Loss of information
If marks are applied on the screen using laser writing devices, then visibility is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The marking operation is extracted from the screen and relocated to the tab of the light housing. Since the tab is a separate component that can be prepared independently, marking can be performed more efficiently during the light housing manufacturing process rather than requiring additional steps after screen assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The tab can be prepared with its marks during the light housing manufacturing process before final assembly with the screen. This preliminary marking action eliminates the need for post-assembly marking operations, thereby reducing overall production time and simplifying the manufacturing workflow.
3Reliability
If the tab is made flush with the screen, then fluid-tightness is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The tab is designed to be flush with the screen specifically in the region where fluid-tightness is critical, while allowing for tolerance compensation in other areas. The passage opening and tab interface are locally optimized to ensure proper sealing, while the overall assembly can accommodate normal manufacturing variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates and compensates for manufacturing tolerances by incorporating a tab structure that can accommodate variations while still achieving the required flush appearance and fluid-tight seal. The complementary shapes of the passage opening and tab are designed with built-in tolerance compensation.
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
This solution minimizes the complexity of applying marks, allows for a single uniform screen design across markets, reduces production time, and ensures high fluid-tightness while avoiding water and dirt accumulation, while also providing extended possibilities for marking specific information on the light housing.
Implementation Method 1
the marks are introduced into the tab surface of the tab visible from the outside by way of laser marking
Implementation Method 2
a high fluid-tightness with respect to the water channel is attainable
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle has a rear light to which a screen, which covers a light housing of the rear light is attached in the region of a water channel arranged or formed adjacent to a rear opening of the motor vehicle. Advantageously, the screen has a passage opening or a cutout that, in the mounted state of the screen, is occupied by a tab of the light housing of the rear light whose shape is complementary to that of the passage opening or the cutout of the screen. The marks relating to the rear light are applied to a tab surface of the tab, and/or are introduced into the tab surface, that is visible from outside the vehicle when the screen is in its mounted state.