Vehicle Roof Panel Projector Mounting on Support Beam

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for projecting images on vehicle roof panels are cumbersome and time-consuming due to large tolerances in mounting the projector device and roof panel assembly, leading to increased manufacturing and installation costs.

Innovation Solution

A roof panel assembly with a projector device mounted directly on the support beam between interior surfaces, allowing for smaller manufacturing tolerances and optical or digital adjustments, enabling easy installation and calibration by users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the projector device is arranged separately in the interior space or on a roof body frame part, then the projector device can be mounted independently, but the mounting tolerances add up and require time-consuming calibration and adjustment procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent mounting of projector deviceVSAvoidPositioning precision of projected image
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the projector device with the roof panel assembly by arranging the projector device on the support beam of the roof panel assembly. This integration ensures that the relative positioning between the projector device and the projection surface (roof panel) is fixed and precise, eliminating the accumulation of mounting tolerances that would occur with separate mounting. The projector device and roof panel are manufactured and assembled as a coordinated unit, guaranteeing accurate image projection without requiring extensive calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of manufacture

If the projector device is arranged separately in the interior space or on a roof body frame part, then the projector device can be mounted independently, but the calibration and adjustment procedures significantly add to the costs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIndependent mounting of projector deviceVSAvoidCalibration and adjustment procedures
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the projector device with the roof panel assembly by arranging the projector device on the support beam of the roof panel assembly. This integration ensures that the relative positioning between the projector device and the projection surface (roof panel) is fixed and precise, eliminating the accumulation of mounting tolerances that would occur with separate mounting. The projector device and roof panel are manufactured and assembled as a coordinated unit, guaranteeing accurate image projection without requiring extensive calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the projector device is mounted on the support beam of the roof panel assembly, then the relative positioning is precise and tolerances are minimized, but the projector device becomes integrated into the roof panel assembly

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePositioning precision of projected imageVSAvoidIntegration of projector device into roof panel assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the projector device with the roof panel assembly by arranging the projector device on the support beam of the roof panel assembly. This integration ensures that the relative positioning between the projector device and the projection surface (roof panel) is fixed and precise, eliminating the accumulation of mounting tolerances that would occur with separate mounting. The projector device and roof panel are manufactured and assembled as a coordinated unit, guaranteeing accurate image projection without requiring extensive calibration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 simplifies the projection of images on vehicle roof panels by reducing mechanical adjustments during manufacturing and allowing users to perform minor adjustments later, thereby reducing costs and time for projector device installation.

Implementation Method 1

a projector device arranged on the support beam, wherein the projector device is configured to project a light image on at least one of the first interior surface and the second interior surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight projection: Light

Data Source

PatentEP3805047B1Roof panel assembly for a vehicle and a projector device for use in such roof panel assembly
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 INALFA ROOF SYST GROUP
  • EP3805047B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3805047B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3805047B1 patent drawingFigure 2C~3C

AI summary

A roof panel assembly for use in a roof of a vehicle comprises at least one roof panel (2a, 2b), providing a first interior surface (12) configured to be directed to an interior space (20) of the vehicle and a second interior surface (14) configured to be directed to the interior space of the vehicle. The roof panel assembly further comprises a support beam (16) arranged between the first interior surface and the second interior surface and a projector device (22) arranged on the support beam. The projector device is configured to project a light image on at least one of the first interior surface and the second interior surface.