Vehicle Lighting Fixture Clamping Element Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lighting fixtures for vehicles often have visible fastening means on transparent plastic light guide elements, which are aesthetically undesirable and costly to produce, and other fixing methods like screwing or gluing introduce inhomogeneities, compromising the external appearance and reliability of the light pattern.
Innovation Solution
A lighting fixture design where a cover fixed to the base body holds a clamping element that securely clamps the light guide element without visible fasteners, using a clamping effect and optionally ribs and latching elements to ensure reliable attachment and uniform appearance, while protecting against moisture and dirt.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If locking tabs or fixing devices are integrated into the light guide element, then the light guide element can be securely fixed to the base body, but visible inhomogeneities appear on the transparent plastic surface compromising external appearance
Solution Approach 1:
A separate clamping element is introduced as an intermediary component to secure the light guide element without modifying its surface. The clamping element acts as a mediator between the light guide element and base body, providing fixation functionality while keeping the light guide element's external surface homogeneous and free of visible fastening means.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixation system is segmented into separate functional components: the light guide element maintains its optical integrity, while the clamping element provides the fixation function. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its primary function without compromising the other, preventing inhomogeneities on the light guide element's surface.
2Reliability
If locking tabs are integrated into the light guide element, then secure fixation is achieved, but production complexity and costs increase due to intricate tooling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The fixation functionality is separated from the light guide element's manufacturing process. The clamping element can be produced using standard molding techniques and then attached to the base body, avoiding the need for complex integrated tooling required for locking tabs. This segmentation simplifies the manufacturing of the light guide element while maintaining reliable fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping element serves as a mediator that can be independently manufactured and then assembled to the base body. This approach avoids the need for complex integrated tooling in the light guide element's injection molding process, reducing production complexity and costs while achieving reliable fixation.
3Reliability
If screwing or gluing methods are used to fix the light guide element, then secure attachment is achieved, but inhomogeneities are introduced that compromise external appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping element acts as an intermediary mechanical fastening system that attaches to the base body without requiring screws or glue on the light guide element's surface. This mediator approach provides secure attachment while maintaining the homogeneous external appearance of the transparent plastic light guide element.
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 a cost-effective, reliable, and aesthetically pleasing attachment of the light guide element to the base body, ensuring a homogeneous light pattern and preventing detachment due to vibrations, while simplifying assembly and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the light guide element couples light coupled in at one or both ends with the aid of diffusers formed within the light guide element
Implementation Method 2
a light guide element (3) which couples light coupled in at one or both ends
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
In a lighting body (1) for a vehicle with an elongated light guide element (3) and a base body (2) for fixing the light guide element (3), the light guide element (3) can be fixed to the base body (2) by means of a clamping element (4) that can be fixed to both sides of the light guide element (3) and the light guide element (3) and the clamping element (4) are covered by a cover (5) fixed to the base body (2), which holds the clamping element (4) in a position that clamps the light guide element (3).