Vehicle Headlamp Layout for Low-Speed Impact Damage Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In motor vehicle front headlamps, existing designs are prone to damage during low-speed impacts due to deformation of the outer lens, which can cause movement and damage to the lighting units.
Innovation Solution
The lighting device features first lighting units for dip and high beam functions spaced apart from a common transparent outer lens, while second lighting units, including signal and area lighting, are rigidly connected to the lens to prevent damage and maintain a compact construction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If lighting units are rigidly connected to the outer lens, then the construction is compact and stable, but the lighting units are vulnerable to damage during low-speed impacts due to outer lens deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is divided into two distinct groups: first lighting units (main beam) that are spaced apart from the outer lens, and second lighting units (signal lights) that are rigidly connected to the outer lens. This segmentation allows different parts of the system to have different connection characteristics optimized for their specific functions and impact exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different connection strategies are applied to different lighting units based on their specific requirements and exposure to impact forces. The first lighting units use spacing and flexible connectors to accommodate deformation, while the second lighting units use rigid connections for stability, creating local quality variations throughout the system.
2Reliability
If first lighting units are spaced apart from the outer lens, then damage risk is reduced during impact, but the device complexity increases due to additional mounting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Flexible connectors serve as intermediary elements between the first lighting units and the outer lens. These connectors allow for relative movement and deformation accommodation while maintaining the electrical and mechanical connection, thus reducing damage risk without requiring completely separate mounting systems.
3Reliability
If second lighting units are rigidly connected to the outer lens, then they move with the lens during impact preventing relative movement damage, but the overall device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates dynamic characteristics by allowing the outer lens to deform during impact while the rigidly connected second lighting units move with it. This dynamic response prevents relative movement between the lens and these lighting units, avoiding damage without requiring complex active control systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes one or more first lighting units, each of which is configured to generate a light distribution for a dipped beam function and/or a high beam function, and one or more second lighting units, each of which is configured to generate a light distribution for another lighting function. The first lighting unit(s) and the second lighting unit(s) are all covered by a common outer light panel which is translucent at least in some sections and via which light originating from the first lighting unit(s) and from the second lighting unit(s) exits from the lighting device. Each of the first lighting unit(s) is arranged at a distance from the outer light panel. Each of the second lighting unit(s) is rigidly connected to the outer light panel or is arranged at a distance from the outer light panel.