Tailgate Headlamp Assembly Zone Masking

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of glazing on a tailgate for optical devices results in a large peripheral assembly zone that blocks light emission, reducing the usable surface area for light transmission and requiring masking to hide fixing elements, which limits the effective lighting zone.

Innovation Solution

The assembly zone between the glazing and the housing is masked behind the outer skin of the tailgate, with the glazing fixed internally to the outer skin, allowing the entire periphery to be used for lighting without obstructing light emission, and the assembly zone is positioned to avoid reducing the useful lighting area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the glazing is assembled to the housing with a large assembly area, then the structural integrity and sealing are improved, but the light transmission surface area is reduced due to blocking by components and mounting elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidlight transmission surface area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the assembly area from the visible exterior by positioning it behind the outer skin of the tailgate. The glazing is assembled to the housing at location A2, but this assembly zone is concealed behind the outer skin, removing the blocking components and mounting elements from the light transmission path while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the assembly area from the two-dimensional exterior surface to the three-dimensional space behind the outer skin. By relocating the assembly zone to a different spatial dimension (behind the tailgate surface), the glazing can be fully utilized for light transmission without peripheral dead edges.

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

2Shape

If masking elements are added to hide fasteners and housing, then the aesthetic appearance is improved, but the effective lighting area is further reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoideffective lighting area
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding masking elements to conceal the assembly area, the patent extracts the entire assembly area from the visible exterior by positioning it behind the outer skin. This eliminates the need for masking elements while preserving the full glazing surface for light transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent ensures continuous light transmission across the entire glazing surface by removing interruptions (masking elements and visible assembly components). The glazing provides uninterrupted light transmission from edge to edge, maximizing the effective lighting area while maintaining aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Stability of the object's composition

If the assembly area is positioned at the peripheral edge of the glazing, then the structural stability is improved, but the useful lighting area is reduced due to the peripheral dead edge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoiduseful lighting area
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent relocates the assembly area from the peripheral edge (two-dimensional boundary) to the space behind the outer skin (three-dimensional concealed volume). This allows the glazing to extend to the full peripheral edge for light transmission while maintaining structural stability through the concealed assembly positioning.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3298324B1Motor vehicle tailgate equipped with a headlamp unit having an optimised illumination zone and method of mounting a motor vehicle tail gate
Publication Date: 2022.08.24 COMPAGNIE PLASTIC OMNIUM SA
  • EP3298324B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3298324B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3298324B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a motor vehicle tailgate (1) of the type comprising an outer skin (2) and an inner lining (3), and comprising at least one headlamp unit (4) equipped with glass (5) that closes a box (6), characterised in that at least one part of an assembly zone (8) between the box (6) and the glass (5) is located under the outer skin (2).