Vehicle Gripping Device Flush Light Guide Groove
Solution Overview
Problem
Modern gripping devices for vehicles suffer from negative haptic effects due to the fastening of light conducting elements, which disrupt the smooth surface and result in suboptimal illumination when light is emitted from side openings.
Innovation Solution
A gripping device with a housing element featuring a groove on the contact surface to embed light conducting elements flush and uninterrupted, ensuring a smooth surface and using latching elements within the groove for secure fastening without projecting notches, allowing for a seamless integration of light sources like optical fibers for indirect ambience illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light conducting elements are fastened to the surface of the gripping device, then illumination capability is improved, but haptic quality deteriorates due to exposed fastening elements disrupting the smooth surface
Solution Approach 1:
The light conducting element is nested within a recess formed in the contact surface of the gripping device. This allows the light conducting element to be housed inside the surface rather than mounted on top, eliminating exposed fastening elements while maintaining illumination capability. The recess effectively hides the light conducting element within the housing structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution transitions from a two-dimensional surface mounting approach to a three-dimensional recessed integration. By creating a recess that extends into the housing, the light conducting element is positioned in a different spatial dimension, allowing it to be flush with or below the contact surface, thereby eliminating haptic disruptions while preserving illumination function.
2Ease of operation
If light conducting elements are placed under the contact surface with side openings, then haptic quality is improved, but illumination result deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact surface is differentiated into two functional zones: a first area that remains smooth and uninterrupted for optimal haptic quality, and a second area (the recess) that accommodates the light conducting element. This local differentiation allows each area to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified whole.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess acts as an intermediary structure that mediates between the conflicting requirements of haptic quality and illumination performance. It provides a hidden space for the light conducting element to be positioned optimally for light emission while maintaining the appearance and feel of a smooth contact surface from the user's perspective.
3Reliability
If exposed latching tabs are used as fastening elements, then secure fastening is achieved, but surface smoothness deteriorates due to visible and palpable notches
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening function is extracted from the visible surface area and relocated to the recessed area. The latching tabs are positioned within the recess where they can perform their fastening function securely while remaining hidden from and inaccessible to the user, thus eliminating their negative impact on surface smoothness and haptic quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact surface is designed to present a smooth, uninterrupted appearance (the visible copy) while the actual fastening mechanism operates in a separate, hidden recess (the functional reality). This creates a dissociation between the perceived surface quality and the actual fastening structure, allowing both requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
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
The solution enhances haptics by providing a smooth surface feel and improves illumination results with a flush and unobtrusive integration of light conducting elements, maintaining the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the gripping device.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light conducting element for providing and ambience illumination at the gripping device
Data Source
AI summary
A gripping device for a vehicle, including a housing element with a user-accessible contact surface and a user-inaccessible inner surface and at least one light conducting element for providing an ambience illumination at the gripping device, the light conducting element being fastened to the housing element. For this purpose, it is provided according to the invention that a groove for accommodating the light conducting element is formed on the contact surface of the housing element in such a way that a user-accessible contact side of the light conducting element completes the contact surface in a flush and uninterrupted manner in an opening area of the groove on the contact surface of the housing element.