Vehicle Lighting Assembly Installation with Biasing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for installing vehicle lighting assemblies on vehicles with removable outer panels require dismounting the lighting assembly to remove the outer panel, which is inconvenient and disrupts the aesthetic or functional integrity of the vehicle.
Innovation Solution
A method that couples an outer panel to a vehicle body structure, biases the lighting assembly outward using a biasing device, and secures it to the body structure using mechanical fasteners, allowing the outer panel to be removed while the lighting assembly remains secured, with constraints on movement to maintain desired spacing and appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the lighting assembly is secured to the outer panel, then the lighting assembly can be removed with the panel, but the outer panel cannot be removed independently for aesthetic upgrades
Solution Approach 1:
The fastening system is segmented into two independent sets: inboard fasteners that secure the lighting assembly to the body structure, and outboard fasteners that secure the outer panel to the body structure. This segmentation allows the outer panel to be removed independently without requiring removal of the lighting assembly, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting assembly serves as an intermediary element that is independently mounted to the body structure, allowing it to act as a stable reference point while the outer panel is separately attached and detached. This intermediary mounting approach enables panel removal without disturbing the lighting assembly.
2Ease of manufacture
If the lighting assembly is secured to the outer panel, then the assembly is simple to install, but the lighting assembly position cannot be maintained when the panel is removed
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting assembly is preliminarily secured to the body structure using inboard fasteners before the outer panel is attached. This preliminary action establishes the lighting assembly in its correct position and orientation, ensuring positioning accuracy is maintained even when the outer panel is subsequently removed. The outboard fasteners are then used to attach the panel without disturbing the pre-positioned lighting assembly.
3Manufacturing precision
If the lighting assembly is biased outward during installation, then the fit and finish is improved, but additional biasing devices are required
Solution Approach 1:
The biasing force is applied locally at the outboard interface between the lighting assembly and outer panel, where it is most needed to achieve proper fit and finish. The inboard fasteners provide stable anchoring to the body structure, while the outboard fasteners apply the necessary biasing force only at the panel interface, improving fit and finish without requiring complex biasing mechanisms throughout the entire assembly.
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
Enables the removal and replacement of outer panels without dismounting the lighting assembly, maintaining the desired fit and finish, and facilitating aesthetic or functional upgrades without compromising the lighting assembly's position.
Implementation Method 1
biasing a lighting assembly outward away from the body structure toward the outer panel
Implementation Method 2
constraining movement of the lighting assembly relative to the body structure using a floating grommet disposed within an aperture
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lighting assembly installation method includes, among other things, coupling an outer panel of a vehicle to a body structure of the vehicle, biasing a lighting assembly outward away from the body structure toward the outer panel, and securing the lighting assembly to the body structure during the biasing. A vehicle assembly includes, among other things, a body structure of a vehicle, an outer panel secured to the body structure, a lighting assembly secured to the body structure, and a biasing member that biases the lighting assembly outward away from the body structure toward the outer panel when securing the lighting assembly to the body structure.