Vehicle Lighting Device Insulation and Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing lighting devices for vehicles face issues with electrical conductivity in materials with high thermal conductivity, leading to short circuits when the main body unit and power feeding terminal come into contact, necessitating improved insulation properties between the exposed power feeding terminal and the main body unit.

Innovation Solution

The design incorporates a holding unit with insulation properties and a concave portion on the end portion side, which protrudes beyond the peripheral edge of the hole in the main body unit, increasing the creepage distance and preventing dust accumulation, while using a resin with high thermal conductivity for the main body unit and power feeding terminals to enhance thermal management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a material with high thermal conductivity is used for the main body unit, then heat radiation is improved, but electrical conductivity increases causing short circuit risk

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat radiationVSAvoidelectrical insulation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The main body unit is divided into two distinct parts: a first main body unit made of heat-radiating material (resin with thermal conductivity enhancer) and a second main body unit made of insulating material. This segmentation allows each part to fulfill its specific function - heat radiation and electrical insulation - without interfering with each other, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal conductivity and electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the main body unit are assigned different material properties. The first main body unit (light source accommodation side) uses material with high thermal conductivity for heat radiation, while the second main body unit (opposite side) uses insulating material for electrical isolation. This local differentiation of material quality allows simultaneous achievement of heat dissipation and electrical insulation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the holding unit end portion protrudes beyond the hole peripheral edge, then insulation distance is increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation propertiesVSAvoidholding unit structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holding unit is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it holds the power feeding terminal in place, provides electrical insulation between the terminal and main body unit, and its protruding end portion creates additional insulation distance. By merging these functions into a single component, the design achieves improved insulation without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The holding unit extends in the axial direction (protruding beyond the hole peripheral edge) to create additional insulation distance. This dimensional extension provides enhanced electrical isolation without requiring increased radial or lateral dimensions, thus minimizing impact on overall device footprint while improving insulation properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 configuration significantly improves insulation properties, reduces the likelihood of short circuits, and effectively manages heat radiation, making the lighting device more reliable and efficient for vehicle applications.

Implementation Method 1

a first main body unit which has a hole penetrating between a first end portion and a second end portion, and in which at least the vicinity of the hole has conductivity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3026329B1Lighting device for vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.11.25 TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORP
  • EP3026329B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3026329B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3026329B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

A lighting device for vehicle according to an embodiment includes a main body unit which has a hole penetrating between a first end portion and a second end portion, and in which at least the vicinity of the hole has electrical conductivity; a light emitting module which is provided in the first end portion of the main body unit, and has a light emitting element; a holding unit which is provided inside the hole of the main body unit, has insulation properties, and an end portion on the second end portion side protrudes compared to a peripheral edge of the hole; and a power feeding terminal of which one end is electrically connected to the light emitting module, has electrical conductivity, and stretches inside the holding unit.