Headlamp Cover Lens Segmentation for Vibration Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for attaching a lens to a motor vehicle headlight housing using vibration welding face challenges in tight spaces, such as tail lights, where dividers or panels obstruct light distribution, leading to undesirable false light due to the required minimum distance in spatial planes.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a motor vehicle headlight housing with first and second light modules, a diaphragm, and a cover lens with projection sections and an opaque section, allowing for assembly adjustments using screws to prevent light coupling during initial positioning and ensuring proper light distribution upon vibration welding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If vibration welding is used to attach the cover lens to the headlight housing, then the lens can be securely fixed, but a minimum distance must be maintained between parts which prevents the divider from fulfilling its light separation function

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidlight separation function
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cover lens is segmented into multiple functional zones: translucent projection sections for light transmission and an opaque section for light blocking. This segmentation allows different parts of the same component to serve different functions, enabling the divider to fulfill its light separation function while maintaining the vibration welding attachment method.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the cover lens are assigned different optical properties: the projection sections are made translucent to allow light passage, while the opaque section is specifically designed to block light. This local differentiation of material properties enables precise control over light distribution and separation without compromising the attachment strength provided by vibration welding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If a divider is placed between light modules to prevent light coupling, then accurate light distribution is achieved, but the required minimum distance for vibration welding cannot be maintained in limited installation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution accuracyVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The light separation function and the attachment function are merged into a single integrated component - the cover lens. The opaque section of the cover lens serves as the divider for light separation, while simultaneously providing the attachment surface for vibration welding. This eliminates the need for separate dividers that would consume additional installation space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover lens is designed to perform multiple functions: it protects the light modules, transmits light through the projection sections, blocks light through the opaque section to prevent coupling between modules, and provides a mounting surface for vibration welding attachment. This multi-functionality allows the component to fulfill light separation requirements without requiring additional space-consuming elements.

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

Enables accurate light distribution and attachment of the lens to the headlight housing without interference, maintaining the intended light functions even in constrained spaces by controlling light coupling through mechanical and optical separation.

Implementation Method 1

fixing the cover lens to the motor vehicle headlight housing by means of vibration welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration welding: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

fixing the cover lens to the motor vehicle headlight housing by means of vibration welding

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction heating: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP4298375B1Method for fixing a lens for a motor vehicle headlamp on a motor vehicle headlamp housing
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP4298375B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A method for fastening a cover plate (100) for a motor vehicle headlamp (10) to a motor vehicle headlamp housing (200) comprises the following steps in chronological order: a. providing a motor vehicle headlamp housing (200), with the following being arranged in the motor vehicle headlamp housing (200): - a first light module (210) and a second light module (220), - a stop (230), the first and the second light modules (210, 220) and the stop (230) forming a component, and providing a cover plate (100) having a first projection portion (110) and a second projection portion (120), with the first projection portion (110) being configured in combination with the first light module (210) to produce a first light distribution and the second projection portion (120) being configured in combination with the second light module (220) to produce a second light distribution and with the cover plate (100) having an opaque portion (130), b. transferring the component into the assembly position (P1) in relation to the motor vehicle headlamp housing (200), c. transferring the cover plate (100) to the motor vehicle headlamp housing (200) into an affixment position and subsequently affixing the cover plate (100) to the motor vehicle headlamp housing (200) by means of vibration welding, and d. transferring the component into the final position (P2).