Tilting Vehicle Headlamp Cover Unit Stray Light Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing headlamp devices for tilting vehicles suffer from undesirable light scattering due to the reflector design, leading to dazzling of other road users and increased installation complexity due to the application of shielding elements on complex diffusing lenses.
Innovation Solution
A headlamp device with a cover unit formed from a common one-piece component combining a transparent optical element and an opaque shielding element, which overlays the optics housing opening, effectively reducing stray-light incidence and eliminating the need for additional shielding applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a reflector is arranged in the optics housing to emit light, then the light-emitting function is improved, but undesirable light scattering and dazzling of road users occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the reflector component from the optics housing and replaces it with a shielding element that blocks light in specific directions. This extraction of the harmful reflector function while maintaining the useful light emission function resolves the contradiction between illumination and light scattering.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful light scattering effect into a beneficial directional light control by using an opaque shielding element positioned strategically. The shielding element blocks light paths that would cause dazzling while allowing light to pass through desired directions, thus converting the harmful scattering into controlled directional emission.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If an opaque shielding element is applied to a diffusing lens to prevent light scattering, then light scattering is reduced, but the application process becomes complicated and installation effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the diffusing lens and the opaque shielding element into a single integrated cover unit. This combination eliminates the need for separate application steps (adhesive bonding or varnishing) and simplifies the manufacturing process to a single injection molding operation, thereby resolving the contradiction between light scattering reduction and ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover unit serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a diffusing lens for light distribution, an opaque shielding element for blocking stray light, and a protective cover for the light-emitting device. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components and simplifies the overall structure.
3Illumination intensity
If a complex geometry diffusing lens is used to achieve desired optical effects, then optical performance is improved, but the application of shielding elements becomes more difficult and rejected components increase
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the shielding element directly into the diffusing lens geometry during injection molding, the patent eliminates the need for post-manufacturing application steps. The complex geometry is achieved in a single manufacturing process, ensuring precise alignment and eliminating rejection issues associated with manual or automated application processes.
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
The solution simplifies the reduction of undesirable light scattering, enhances the aesthetic and optical performance of the headlamp device, and extends its lifespan by protecting it from environmental influences.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transparent and/or translucent optical element that is optically connected downstream of the light-emitting device and is optically transmissive to the electromagnetic waves from the light-emitting device
Implementation Method 2
a transparent and/or translucent diffusing lens, through which the light from the light-emitting device can pass to the outside
Implementation Method 3
at least one opaque shielding element, which is optically opaque to the electromagnetic waves of the light-emitting device
Data Source
AI summary
A headlamp device for a tilting vehicle includes an optical housing which has a cavity that is accessible from the outside via an opening; an illuminant which is located in the cavity of the optical housing and through which electromagnetic waves can be emitted in the visible and/or invisible range; a cover unit which can be fixed or is fixed to the optical housing so as to overlay the opening of the optical housing, in particular in its entirety, in order to outwardly delimit the cavity together with the optical housing. The cover unit includes a transparent and/or translucent optical element which is optically downstream of the illuminant and which is optically transparent to the electromagnetic waves of the illuminant; an opaque cover element which is optically opaque to the electromagnetic waves of the illuminant; and a common single-piece component formed by the optical element and the cover element.