Vehicle Lighting Optical Deflector Clamped by Deformable Frame

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Solution Overview

Problem

The production of vehicle light devices is complicated by the tolerances between the light source and the optical element that deflects its rays, leading to difficulties in design and assembly.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle light device design featuring an optical deflector surrounded by a plating element with a deformable armature and a rigid contact portion, where the armature absorbs tolerance defects, allowing for flexible positioning and assembly without additional parts, and an adjustment screw for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the optical element and light source are fixed directly or indirectly to the housing with multiple contact elements, then the positioning precision of the optical element is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase due to multiple tolerance accumulations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of optical elementVSAvoidnumber of contact elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the function of multiple contact elements into a single plating element with deformable armature. Instead of using several separate contact points between the optical element and housing, the invention uses one integrated plating element that can deform to accommodate tolerances, thereby reducing the number of parts and tolerance accumulation points while maintaining positioning precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state of the armature from rigid to deformable. By making the armature deformable, it can adapt its shape to compensate for manufacturing tolerances in the housing and optical element, allowing precise positioning without requiring multiple rigid contact points that would accumulate tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple contact elements are used to fix the optical element, then the positioning precision is improved, but the ease of manufacture deteriorates due to difficulty in assembling multiple parts with tight tolerances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precision of optical elementVSAvoidassembly difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple contact elements into a single integrated plating element. This consolidation reduces the number of parts that need to be assembled and eliminates the need to manage multiple tolerance interfaces, significantly easing the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining the ability to achieve precise optical element positioning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

By changing the armature from rigid to deformable, the invention allows a single part to perform the function of multiple rigid contact elements. This deformability enables the plating element to self-adjust during assembly, accommodating housing tolerances without requiring precision assembly of multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid contact portions are used to position the optical element, then the positioning stability is improved, but the device reliability deteriorates due to risk of damage from force concentration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stability of optical elementVSAvoiddamage risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the mechanical property of the contact portion from rigid to deformable. The deformable armature can elastically deform under load, distributing forces over a larger area and time period, which reduces stress concentrations that could lead to damage while maintaining stable positioning of the optical element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The deformable armature acts as a built-in cushion that absorbs shocks and forces before they can damage the optical element or housing. This elastic deformation capability provides beforehand protection against force concentration, reducing the risk of damage while maintaining positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

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 simplifies the production of vehicle light devices by absorbing tolerance defects and allowing for precise adjustment of the light beam, reducing the risk of damage and improving the absorption of forces, thus enhancing the durability and efficiency of the light device.

Implementation Method 1

the armature is deformable, preferably elastically deformable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3263977B1Lighting device of a vehicle with an optical element clamped by a flexible frame
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 VALEO VISION BELGIQUE
  • EP3263977B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3263977B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3263977B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a motor vehicle lighting device comprising: - an optical deflector (1), - at least one support element (60), - a plate element (30) comprising a frame (36) carrying a contact portion (31), the frame at least partially surrounding the optical deflector, the contact portion being in contact with the optical deflector, the optical deflector, the support element and the plate element being arranged so that the optical deflector (1) is at least partially enclosed between the support piece (60) and the contact portion (31), and such that, along a direction (F) from said support piece towards the contact portion, the contact portion is rigid and the frame is elastically deformable.