Vehicle Light Strip with Movable Mounting for Thermal Expansion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle lighting systems experience gaps and misalignments between light modules due to thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, leading to uneven illumination and unsightly effects on ceilings and walls.
Innovation Solution
The light modules are fixedly joined in pairs to form a stable light strip, with one region attached firmly to the supporting structure and the other regions movably supported to compensate for thermal expansion and tolerances, allowing for adjustable separation between modules without compromising illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If light modules are fixedly mounted on the supporting structure with small safety distances, then the gaps between light modules are minimized for continuous illumination, but thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances cause misalignments and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from a fully fixed mounting to a dynamic system where at least one mounting arrangement allows for movement. This enables the light strip to adapt its position dynamically in response to thermal expansion and manufacturing tolerances, maintaining continuous illumination while accommodating dimensional changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mounting state from completely fixed to partially movable, allowing the light strip to adjust its position parameter. This parameter change enables compensation for thermal expansion and manufacturing variations while maintaining the desired continuous illumination effect.
2Manufacturing precision
If a fixed mounting arrangement is used for all light modules, then alignment is maintained, but thermal expansion causes gaps and misalignments
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system incorporates dynamic elements that allow the light strip to move in response to thermal expansion. This dynamic capability enables the system to maintain alignment precision across varying temperature conditions without creating gaps or misalignments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system explicitly accounts for thermal expansion by providing movable mounting arrangements that allow the light strip to expand and contract with temperature changes. This prevents the formation of gaps and misalignments that would otherwise occur with rigid fixed mounting.
3Reliability
If safety distance is increased to accommodate tolerances and expansion, then misalignments are prevented, but gaps appear between light modules causing uneven illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses dynamic mounting arrangements that allow the light strip to adjust its position, enabling tolerance compensation without requiring increased safety distances. This maintains homogeneous illumination while accommodating manufacturing variations and thermal expansion.
4Stability of the object's composition
If light modules are rigidly connected to form a stable light strip, then alignment is maintained, but thermal expansion is restricted causing stress and potential damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system transitions from rigid connection to a dynamic connection that maintains light strip stability while allowing thermal expansion. The movable mounting arrangements provide the necessary freedom for expansion without compromising the overall stability and alignment of the light strip.
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 ensures continuous, gap-free illumination and precise alignment of light modules along a profile line, maintaining a visually pleasing appearance and compensating for thermal and manufacturing deviations.
Implementation Method 1
the size of said gaps between the individual light modules can be for example up to 10 mm, depending on the length of the whole light and the current temperature in the installed state or the operating state
Data Source
AI summary
A light for an interior of a vehicle is provided. The light has two or more light modules. In an installed state, the light modules are mounted on a supporting structure in the vehicle and disposed in series along a profile line. In the installed state, each two adjacent light modules are fixedly attached to each other, such that all light modules that are fixedly attached to each other together form an integral light strip. The light strip has a first region and at least one second region. The first region of the light strip is fixedly attached to the supporting structure. The at least one second region of the light strip is movably supported on the supporting structure.