Headlamp Mounting Guides to Prevent Fender-Tip Scratching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for mounting headlights in motor vehicles between the adjacent wing and the technical front panel are prone to scratching the anti-UV coating on the projector, especially for larger and heavier projectors, due to the aggressive shape of the wing tip and the difficulty in simultaneously visualizing and handling the projector during assembly.

Innovation Solution

A system using guide elements with complementary shapes on the projector and the wing, and the vertical side upright, guides the projector during assembly, keeping it away from the wing tip and allowing for precise positioning to prevent scratching, comprising guide pins and slots that ensure the projector is supported and aligned correctly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the projector is manually mounted by inserting it from the front between the wing and the FAT pillar, then the projector can be installed in the required position, but the aggressive shape of the wing tip increases the risk of scratching the anti-UV coating on the projector

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual mounting operationVSAvoidscratching risk to anti-UV coating
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Guide elements (guide pins and guide slots) are introduced as intermediary components between the projector and the wing/FAT structure. These guide elements control the insertion path and maintain safe spacing, preventing direct contact between the wing tip and the projector surface, thus eliminating the scratching risk while preserving manual mounting capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide elements are pre-installed on the wing and FAT pillar before the projector insertion. The guide slots and guide pins are positioned in advance to define the correct insertion trajectory and maintain protective spacing, so that when the projector is inserted, the harmful contact is prevented from the beginning of the operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Illumination intensity

If the projector is made larger and heavier to improve lighting performance, then the lighting effectiveness is enhanced, but the risk of scratching the anti-UV coating increases due to greater weight and size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting performanceVSAvoidscratching risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements serve as mediators that decouple the projector's size and weight from the scratching risk. By providing a controlled insertion path with built-in spacing, the guide elements allow large and heavy projectors to be installed safely without requiring the operator to manually manage the increased mass, thus enabling improved lighting performance without proportionally increased damage risk

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the operator manually handles the projector during mounting, then the projector can be positioned and secured, but operator fatigue increases and rough handling becomes more likely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprojector positioning and securingVSAvoidoperator efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements enable the projector to guide itself during insertion. The guide pins automatically follow the guide slots, self-aligning the projector and maintaining protective spacing without requiring continuous operator attention or manual positioning adjustments, thus reducing operator fatigue and improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The guide elements act as intermediaries that take over the positioning function from the operator. By providing mechanical guidance and constraint, the guide elements perform the precise positioning task that would otherwise require careful manual handling, thereby reducing operator workload and the risk of rough handling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If the operator tries to simultaneously view the docking lugs and avoid touching the wing tip, then proper alignment can be achieved, but the complexity of the mounting operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedocking lugs alignmentVSAvoidmounting operation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements serve as intermediaries that provide mechanical alignment assistance. The guide slots and guide pins automatically align the projector with the mounting location, reducing the operator's visual and manual coordination burden while maintaining precise alignment of the docking lugs, thus achieving high manufacturing precision without increasing operational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4477469A1Mounting system for a headlamp in the front side of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 RENAULT SA
  • EP4477469A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4477469A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4477469A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A mounting system (1) for a headlight in the front side of a motor vehicle, for inserting the headlight (2) between the adjacent fender (3) and the adjacent vertical side pillar (4) of the front technical panel (FAT), in a lateral space (33) open at the front of the fender and over an insertion length (d) defined by the length of an advanced portion (31) of the upper part of the fender, said system comprising: - first guide elements (210, 300), some carried by a mounting bracket (20) comprising said headlight and others by the adjacent fender (3) and having first complementary guide shapes (210, 300) in the vertical and longitudinal directions, - second guide elements (22, 40), some carried by the mounting bracket (20) of the headlight and others by said adjacent vertical side pillar (4) of the FAT and having second complementary guide shapes (220,400) along the vertical and longitudinal directions, and such that, when mounting the projector from front to back along said insertion length, said first and second complementary guide shapes create a gap between the end of the advanced part of the upper part of the wing and the part of the projector located opposite, and the projector is supported on at least one of said first guide elements carried by the adjacent wing and on at least one of said second guide elements carried by the adjacent side member of the FAT.,