Vehicle Lighting Device With Rotating Module And Integrated Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle lighting devices face issues with entangled electrical cables and difficult assembly due to the increasing number of connections, especially when incorporating rotating or pivoting lighting modules, which are challenging to access and assemble safely.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device design featuring a housing with movable ball joints, a main connector, and a two-part second support system with a secondary connector and positioner, allowing for electrical connection and mechanical coupling, reducing cable presence and simplifying assembly while enabling module rotation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a great amount of electric cables are used to connect the main connector to the lighting module, then the electrical connections are complete, but the cables become entangled and trapped due to the rotation functionality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical connection function from a traditional cable-based system and implements it through a rigid support structure with integrated connection elements. The support structure itself carries the electrical connections from the main connector to the lighting module, eliminating the need for separate flexible cables that would entangle during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the mechanical support function and the electrical connection function into a single integrated support structure. This combination eliminates the need for separate cables, as the support structure simultaneously provides both structural support and electrical connectivity, preventing cable entanglement while maintaining complete electrical connections.
2Volume of moving object
If the lighting device housing is made narrower and shallower, then the device size is reduced, but the assembly becomes difficult with hardly any visibility and accessibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support structure into multiple components (first support, second support, third support) that can be assembled in a modular fashion. This segmentation allows assembly operations to be performed on individual smaller components with better accessibility, even within the compact housing, while maintaining the overall reduced size of the device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates preliminary positioning features (positioners and complementary positioners) that guide the assembly process. These pre-designed alignment elements enable workers to quickly and accurately position components during assembly, improving accessibility and reducing assembly difficulty despite the compact housing dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If the lighting module is fixed in position, then the assembly is simple, but the rotation functionality for specific lighting functions such as cornering lights is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic support structure that allows the lighting module to rotate relative to the housing while maintaining stable electrical connections. The support structure includes rotation joints or pivots that enable controlled movement for cornering light functions, while the integrated connection system ensures electrical continuity throughout the rotation range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs a universal support structure that simultaneously provides multiple functions: mechanical support, electrical connection, rotation capability, and positioning. This multi-functional design maintains assembly simplicity while enabling the lighting module to perform various functions including static illumination and dynamic cornering lights through rotation.
4Reliability
If traditional cable connections are used in the housing zone, then electrical connectivity is achieved, but uncontrolled portions of cables and wires are present during assembly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the flexible cable portion from the assembly zone by integrating the electrical connection function directly into the rigid support structure. This extraction eliminates uncontrolled cable portions that could pose safety risks during assembly, while maintaining reliable electrical connectivity through the structured support system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mechanical support structure with the electrical connection system, creating an integrated assembly where electrical connections are fixed and controlled. This merging eliminates the need for separate loose cables in the assembly zone, improving safety while ensuring reliable electrical connectivity between components.
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
The invention is related to a lighting device (1) for a vehicle, comprising a housing (2), a second support (5) and a lighting module (6). The housing (2) comprises movable ball joints (21), a main connector (3) and a first support (4) with a hole (41). At least part of the second support (5) is able to move, pivot and/or rotate with respect to the first support (4), and the second support (5) comprises a first secondary connector (51) being in electrical connection with the main connector (3), this electrical connection passing through the hole (41) of the first support (4). The lighting module (6) comprises a second secondary connector (71) suitable for being electrically coupled with the first secondary connector (51) and also comprises a complementary positioner (72) suitable for being mechanically coupled to a positioner (52) located in the second support (5). The lighting module (6) further comprises pivoting connections (61) suitable for being coupled to the ball joints (21) of the housing (2).