Attachable LED Accent Lamp for Vehicle Headlamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle headlamps lack a light passageway from the base to the upper region, preventing auxiliary or accent lighting, and existing solutions do not provide a simple and customizable way to integrate chromatic lighting.
Innovation Solution
A solid-state LED lamp is attached to a conventional headlamp using clips, with a light passageway created through the headlamp base to allow LED light to be projected outward, utilizing a light guide and silicone sealant to prevent moisture ingress, and a wireless controller for color and intensity adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional headlamp base is used without modification, then the headlamp structure remains simple and intact, but no light passageway exists from the base to the upper region preventing auxiliary lighting
Solution Approach 1:
The headlamp system is divided into separate functional modules: the original headlamp assembly and the attachable LED accent lamp. This segmentation allows the LED lamp to be added as an independent component without modifying the headlamp base structure, thus creating a light passageway capability while maintaining the simplicity of the original headlamp.
Solution Approach 2:
A light guide acts as an intermediary element between the LED accent lamp and the headlamp reflector cavity. The light guide transmits light from the LED source through the headlamp base to the upper region, enabling the light passageway function without requiring structural modifications to the headlamp base itself.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an LED accent lamp is attached to provide chromatic lighting, then customizable accent illumination is achieved, but the headlamp base must accommodate the additional component
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment mechanism uses resilient clips with elastic properties that can flex during installation and then maintain a secure connection. This dynamic characteristic allows for easy attachment and detachment of the LED accent lamp while ensuring reliable mounting, accommodating the chromatic lighting addition without permanent modification to the headlamp base.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient clips are made from elastomeric material that provides flexibility and elasticity. These flexible clips engage with the headlamp base to secure the LED accent lamp, allowing for easy installation and removal while maintaining a firm connection, thus enabling customizable chromatic lighting without complex attachment mechanisms.
3Strength
If the headlamp base is made opaque for structural integrity, then the base is strong and sealed, but light cannot pass through from the bottom to the upper region
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting function is segmented into two separate paths: the main headlamp light source that requires opaque base for structural integrity, and the LED accent lamp that uses a light guide to transmit light through the base. This segmentation allows the base to remain opaque and strong while still enabling light transmission for the accent lighting through the light guide intermediary.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves as an intermediary that transmits light from the LED accent lamp through the opaque headlamp base material. This intermediary element enables light transmission without requiring the base material itself to be transparent, thus maintaining both structural integrity and illumination capability.
4Ease of operation
If clips are added to the LED lamp housing for attachment, then the LED lamp can be mounted to the headlamp, but the housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The resilient clips are integrated directly into the LED lamp housing structure rather than being separate components. This merging of the attachment mechanism with the housing reduces the number of separate parts and simplifies the overall structure, enabling easy mounting to the headlamp without adding significant complexity to the housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing is made from elastomeric material that provides both structural support and elastic properties for the resilient clips. This composite material approach allows the housing to serve dual functions: maintaining structural integrity and providing the attachment mechanism, thus enabling mounting capability without significantly increasing housing complexity.
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 customizable chromatic accent lighting for vehicles without altering the headlamp's regulatory compliance, providing supplemental illumination with reduced intensity compared to main headlights.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide (or light pipe) held in a bore in the headlamp base with a silicone sealant to prevent moisture penetration past the headlamp into the reflector cavity
Implementation Method 2
a light guide (or light pipe) held in a bore in the headlamp base with a silicone sealant to prevent moisture penetration past the headlamp into the reflector cavity
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
An accent lamp (10) having a solid state light source (4), such as LEDs, is attachable to a rear surface of an automotive headlamp (40) opposite the light-generating capsule (44). Accent lamp (10) has first retaining member (20), such as a clamp, formed above printed circuit board (8) on which LED (4) is mounted. Headlamp base (60) defines light passageway (45), formed as a light guide (42), extending from outermost peripheral surface (63) to an upper surface (61) on which lamp capsule (44) is retained. Accent lamp (10) is readily detachably mounted to headlamp (40), preferably by resilient first and second retaining members (20, 24), and, when mounted, can be biased to promote optical coupling of light source (4) to light guide (42).