Vehicle Lighting Adapter for Precise LED Positioning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light modules for motor vehicles face challenges in maintaining precise positioning of light sources, such as light-emitting diodes, relative to the collector, especially during replacements, which affects the quality of lighting and signaling.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates an adapter with elastic return means and separate pressing and adjustment mechanisms to ensure precise positioning of the light source at the focus of the optical collector, allowing for easy replacement while maintaining alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the light source is fixed directly in the housing without an adapter, then the positioning precision is high, but the ease of replacement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidease of replacement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The system is divided into separate components: a housing, an adapter, and a light source. The adapter acts as an intermediary element that can be removed and replaced independently, allowing the light source to be easily changed while maintaining precise positioning through the adapter's design features such as positioning ribs and engagement mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of repair

If an adapter is introduced to facilitate replacement, then the ease of replacement improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of replacementVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter serves as an intermediary component between the housing and the light source. It simplifies the replacement process by providing a standardized interface that can be easily engaged and disengaged, while its integrated positioning features ensure that no additional complex alignment mechanisms are needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If multiple replacement operations are performed, then the productivity improves, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to cumulative errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereplacement efficiencyVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The adapter is pre-configured with positioning ribs, grooves, and engagement features that establish the correct position of the light source relative to the housing before the light source is even installed. This preliminary positioning mechanism ensures that every replacement operation starts from the same precise reference points, eliminating cumulative positioning errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex mechanical alignment procedures with a standardized geometric interface system. The positioning ribs and grooves create a deterministic mechanical relationship that automatically ensures correct positioning without requiring skilled manual alignment or adjustment during each replacement operation.

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

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 consistent and precise positioning of light sources, regardless of replacements, enhancing the quality of lighting and signaling in motor vehicles by simplifying the replacement process and maintaining high assembly precision.

Implementation Method 1

elastic return means capable of being compressed along a second direction distinct from said first direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2921770B1Lighting and/or signalling unit comprising an adapter suitable for being housed in a light module of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.09.09 VALEO ILUMINACION SA
  • EP2921770B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2921770B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP2921770B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting and/or signaling assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a light module (2) and an adapter (10) suitable for being placed and held in position within a housing (8) in a support means (4) for an optical collector (6), - separate means for clamping (44) the adapter (10) against the support means (4) of the module (2) in a first direction, and means for adjusting (32) the adapter (10) in the housing (8) formed in said support means (4), adjustment in a second direction distinct from said first direction, these clamping means (44) and adjustment means (32) being carried by the module (2) and/or by the adapter (10). The invention further relates to the adapter (10) and the module (2) combined in this lighting and/or signaling assembly.