Vehicle Light Guide Fixing Part for Assembly Orientation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle light devices with intermediate and terminal guides have limited degrees of freedom in orientation, requiring precise alignment and angle adjustments for proper connection, which complicates production and assembly.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle light device design featuring a first light guide with a main guiding part and a fixing part that supports a second light guide, allowing for greater freedom in orientation, with the fixing part optionally nested within the second guide and using decoupling means to distribute light rays and enhance illuminating surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If light guides are connected with precise orientation requirements, then light transmission efficiency is improved, but assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The first light guide is segmented into a main light guiding part and a fixing part. The fixing part is integrated into the main guiding part and serves dual functions: structural support and optical guidance. This segmentation allows the fixing part to be positioned relative to the main guide during manufacturing, simplifying assembly while maintaining precise orientation requirements for light transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing part serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a structural support element, a positioning element, and an optical waveguide. By integrating these functions into a single component, the patent reduces the number of separate parts needed, thereby simplifying assembly while maintaining the precise orientation required for effective light transmission between guides.
2Reliability
If light guides are fixed together with strict alignment requirements, then optical performance is improved, but production time and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing part is pre-positioned relative to the main guiding part during manufacturing. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the second light guide is attached, the alignment requirements are already satisfied, eliminating the need for complex real-time alignment adjustments during assembly. This maintains optical performance while significantly improving assembly speed and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing part is designed to automatically provide the correct positioning and orientation for the second light guide through its integrated structure. The fixing part's geometry and optical properties self-adjust to ensure proper alignment, reducing the need for external alignment tools or complex assembly procedures, thereby improving productivity while maintaining reliable optical performance.
3Ease of manufacture
If fixing parts are integrated into light guides, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but light distribution control becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing part is designed with differentiated local properties: it has light-guiding surfaces with specific optical characteristics for transmitting light, and fixing surfaces with mechanical engagement features for structural support. This local differentiation allows the single integrated component to perform both manufacturing-friendly integration and precise optical control, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and optical control complexity.
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 design provides increased flexibility in assembling light guides while maintaining effective light distribution and orientation, allowing for independent positioning of the guides and enhanced illumination patterns, including the creation of a night signature for visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a main light guiding part comprising an input diopter for receiving light rays from a light source and a main output diopter in particular in front of the input diopter, the main guiding part being arranged so that a first part of the light rays passing through the input diopter are guided to the main output diopter
Implementation Method 2
the fixing part(s) form secondary light guiding parts, the main guiding part and the fixing part of the first light guide and/or the second light guide being arranged so that a second part of the light rays passing through the entrance diopter of the corresponding guide are guided inside the corresponding fixing part, the latter comprising decoupling means distributed along a decoupling portion of this fixing part so that rays escape along it
Implementation Method 3
for one or for each light guide, said main guiding portion of this guide includes a reflective portion capable of reflecting said second portion of the light rays towards and into said secondary guiding portion of this guide
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle lighting device (260) comprising a first light guide (201) and a second light guide (201'), each one used to emit at least part of a light function, said first light guide comprising: a main light-guiding part (210), and a fastening part (220) fastening said main part to the second light guide and extending between said main part and the second guide such that one of the guides supports the other in said light device.