Modular Rearview Housing With Integrated Light Guide Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rearview devices for vehicles face challenges in designing modular and durable side turn indicator units that can be adapted to different vehicle designs, with issues related to water ingress and the need for individual optical fibers for each vehicle type, leading to increased costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an at least partially transparent element within the housing of the rearview device, which serves as a mechanical coupling for the light producing or camera module, allowing light to exit through transparent portions while minimizing external components, enabling a modular and cost-effective design that can be tailored for various vehicle designs without the need for individual optical fibers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individual optical fibers are used for each vehicle type, then light coupling efficiency is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a standardized transparent element with integrated light guide functionality that can be used across different vehicle types. Instead of custom optical fibers for each vehicle, a universal transparent element serves multiple functions: structural component, light guide, and protective cover. This eliminates the need for individual optical fiber customization while maintaining effective light transmission from the light producing device to the exterior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the light guide function with the transparent element structure itself. The transparent element incorporates light guiding features directly into its design, combining what were previously separate components (optical fiber + structural element) into a single integrated component. This reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate optical fiber installation while maintaining light coupling efficiency.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom components are designed for each vehicle type, then adaptability to different vehicle designs is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The transparent element is designed as a universal component that can be adapted to different vehicle types without requiring custom manufacturing for each application. The standardized design allows the same component to serve various vehicle designs, improving ease of manufacture through economies of scale while maintaining adaptability through flexible mounting and positioning options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the rearview device into modular components, with the transparent element as a standardized module that can be independently manufactured and then integrated into different vehicle configurations. This segmentation allows for cost-effective mass production of the transparent element while still enabling adaptability to various vehicle designs through modular assembly.
3Illumination intensity
If more external components are used, then optical functionality is improved, but water ingress risk and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guide function with the transparent element that is already part of the housing structure. By integrating the light guiding capability into the existing transparent element rather than adding separate external optical components, the design maintains optical functionality while reducing the number of interfaces and seals that could allow water ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides the housing opening cover, acts as the light guide, and maintains the protective seal. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for additional external optical components that would require separate sealing arrangements, thereby reducing water ingress risk while maintaining optical functionality.
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 enhances the durability and cost-effectiveness of rearview devices by allowing the same optical elements to be used across different vehicle designs, reducing the need for custom components and minimizing water ingress, while maintaining high coupling efficiency and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
Adjacent to the contact surface of the at least partially transparent element, a part of the light producing device having a surface via which light exits the light producing device is arranged in such a manner that the exiting light is guided through the at least partially transparent element to the outer exit surface
Data Source
AI summary
An external rearview device for a motor vehicle includes a housing, and one or more of at least one light emitting or a receiving device, including one or more of at least one light producing device or at least one camera device arranged within the housing, and at least one at least partially transparent element closing an opening provided by the housing, the at least partially transparent element being provided in form of a first module attached to the housing, and the one or more of the light producing device or the camera device being provided in form of a second module attached to the first module, the first module and the second module being mechanically releasably coupled.