Vehicle Headlamp Adjustment Device Segmented Bearing Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle headlight adjustment systems are difficult to assemble due to inaccessible attachment points, leading to increased susceptibility to errors during the assembly process.

Innovation Solution

A separate bearing component is fixedly mounted on the housing, with an actuating element that can rotate about its longitudinal axis, connected to a drive device via a geared mechanism, and a sliding element that is mounted in a guide area parallel to the actuating element, allowing for simplified assembly and improved adjustment options with fewer components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mounting points on the housing are used for fixing the adjustment device, then the adjustment device can be securely attached, but the mounting points are hard to access which increases the likelihood of errors during installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure attachmentVSAvoidaccessibility of mounting points
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing component is separated from the housing into distinct components. The bearing component contains the mounting points and is attached to the housing separately, allowing the adjustment device to be mounted on the bearing component rather than directly on hard-to-reach housing mounting points. This segmentation makes the assembly process more accessible and error-free.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing component serves as an intermediary element between the housing and the adjustment device. It provides accessible mounting points for the adjustment device while being attached to the housing, thus mediating the connection and solving the accessibility problem.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual components are used in the adjustment device, then the adjustment options can be improved, but the number of components increases leading to higher manufacturing and assembly costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment optionsVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bearing component merges multiple functions into a single component: it provides mounting points for the adjustment device, contains guide areas for sliding elements, and supports the actuating element. This consolidation reduces the total number of components while maintaining comprehensive adjustment capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The bearing component is designed as a multi-functional element that simultaneously serves as a mounting structure, a guide mechanism, and a support structure. This multi-functionality reduces component count while preserving adjustment versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 assembly and adjustment of motor vehicle headlights, reduces production and assembly costs, and allows for faster validation, while being suitable for various headlight types, with components mostly contained within the housing to minimize contamination and damage risks.

Implementation Method 1

the drive section can comprise a bevel gear, wherein the drive device is designed as an adjusting shaft with a bevel pinion that interacts with the bevel gear

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

the actuating element has a drive section geared to a drive device and a shaft section with a thread which interacts with a mating thread of the sliding element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3069930B1Adjusting system in a vehicle headlamp
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3069930B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3069930B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~5

AI summary

An adjustment device (1) for adjusting an optically relevant component in the housing of a vehicle headlight comprises an actuating element (2), a bearing component (3), and a sliding element (4). The bearing component (3) is a separate component and is fixedly mounted therein; the actuating element (2) is rotatably mounted about its longitudinal axis (c) in a holding area (32) of the bearing component (3) and is provided with a thread (24) in a shaft section, which engages with a mating thread (42) of the sliding element (4); the sliding element (4) is pivotally connected to the optical component at a connecting area (41). The sliding element (4) is also slidably mounted parallel to the longitudinal axis (c) of the actuating element in a guide area (34) of the bearing component (3).