Rotational Mounting Mechanism for Vehicle Lighting Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing light modules for motor vehicles face challenges in assembly and disassembly due to limited space and the presence of heat sinks, making it difficult to access and secure the module without damaging the crystal support.

Innovation Solution

The proposed light module design eliminates the need for a screwdriver by incorporating a positioning housing with grooves and an attachment lug, allowing for easy mounting and dismounting through rotational movement, which also protects the crystal support from screwing/unscrewing actions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a screwdriver is used to attach the light module with screws, then the mounting is secure, but the installation is difficult due to limited space and risk of damaging the glass support

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting mechanism is segmented into a positioning housing with grooves and a separate mounting tab that engages with the housing. This segmentation allows the light module to be attached through rotational movement rather than requiring screwdriver access, solving the space constraint problem while maintaining secure mounting.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting mechanism transitions from linear screw insertion to rotational movement. The positioning housing with grooves and the mounting tab create a rotational attachment mechanism that operates in a different dimensional space, allowing installation without requiring linear access for a screwdriver.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If screws are used to fix the lighting module, then the attachment is reliable, but the glass support may be damaged due to screwing/unscrewing actions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidglass support damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful screwing action is extracted and replaced with a rotational clipping mechanism. The mounting tab engages with the positioning housing through rotation, eliminating the need for screws that could damage the glass support while maintaining reliable attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical screw-and-thread system is replaced with a rotational engagement system consisting of grooves and a mounting tab. This substitution eliminates the damaging screwing action while achieving reliable attachment through geometric interlocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Strength

If traditional screw mounting is used, then the light module is securely fixed, but access for installation is limited by surrounding components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing strengthVSAvoidaccess space
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting mechanism transitions from a static screw insertion process to a dynamic rotational movement. The rotational attachment allows the mounting tab to engage with the positioning housing through arc-shaped motion, requiring less linear access space while achieving the same fixing strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3887716B1Lighting device
Publication Date: 2023.05.17 VALEO VISION BELGIQUE
  • EP3887716B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3887716B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3887716B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting module (1) for a vehicle comprising: - at least one light source (10), - an open casing (12), - a closure element (13) for closing the open casing (12), characterized in that the open casing (12) comprises a positioning recess (126) on an optical element (30), the positioning housing (126) comprising a plurality of grooves (127), and a fastening tab (124) on a casing (3) of the motor vehicle comprising the optical element (30) and a glass (31) for closing the casing (3), the lighting module (1) being configured to perform a rotational movement and to fasten itself at the end of the rotation to the casing (3) via the fastening tab (124) of the open casing (12).