Headlamp Light Guide Linkage for Compact Stable Beam Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle headlamp illumination devices have unstable transition mechanisms that require significant space, limiting design options and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A motion device with lower and upper motion mechanisms using pivotably connected elements with floating and fixed bearing points, allowing the light guide elements to move between closed and opened positions while maintaining spatial orientation, reducing space requirements and enhancing stability, and incorporating a fail-safe mechanism for manual operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional transition mechanisms are used in illumination devices, then the light guide elements can transition between closed and opened positions, but the mechanisms become unstable and require significant space

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestability of transition mechanismVSAvoidspace requirement of transition mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The motion elements are nested within the housing structure, with the first and second motion elements positioned inside the housing alongside the light guide element. This nesting approach minimizes the overall volume occupied by the transition mechanism while maintaining all necessary functional components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The transition mechanism is divided into multiple independent motion elements (first motion element, second motion element) that can move independently but work together to achieve the overall transition. This segmentation allows for more compact arrangement and improved stability compared to a single complex mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional transition mechanisms are used in illumination devices, then the light guide elements can transition between positions, but the device complexity increases and stability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransition capability of light guide elementVSAvoidcomplexity of transition mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mechanism uses dynamic motion elements that can pivot and rotate to transition the light guide element between closed and opened positions. The first and second motion elements provide dynamic movement capabilities while maintaining a relatively simple structural configuration through defined rotation axes and bearing points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The motion elements act as intermediaries between the actuator (not shown) and the light guide element, translating actuator movement into the desired light guide element transition. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system by decoupling the actuation mechanism from the light guide element directly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Volume of stationary object

If compact transition mechanisms are used, then space requirements are reduced, but the stability and reliability of the mechanism deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespace usage of illumination deviceVSAvoidstability of transition mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second motion elements are combined within the same housing space, working together to provide both compactness and stability. The motion elements are positioned to utilize available space efficiently while their coordinated operation enhances the overall reliability of the transition mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The motion elements utilize three-dimensional space within the housing by positioning rotation axes at different locations and orientations. The first motion element rotates about a first rotation axis while the second motion element rotates about a second rotation axis, effectively using spatial arrangement to achieve both compactness and stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12187182B2Illumination device for a motor vehicle headlamp

Publication Date: 2025.01.07 ZKW GRP GMBH

AI summary

Illumination device (10) for a motor vehicle headlamp, wherein the illumination device (10) comprising: at least one light module (20) configured to illuminate light along a light path in a main direction (X),—a movable lower light guide element (100) and a movable upper light guide element (200),—a motion device for a movement of the lower and upper light guide element (100, 200) with respect to each other between—a closed position (PI), wherein the lower and upper light guide element (100, 200) are—as seen in the main direction (X)—in front of the at least one light module (20) at least partially blocking the light path of the at least one light module (20), wherein the lower and upper light guide element (100, 200) are configured to emit light in the main direction (X), when in the closed position (PI), and an opened position (P2), wherein the lower and upper light guide element (100, 200) are moved away from the light path of the at least one light module to unblock the light path of the at least one light module (20), while maintaining their spatial orientation,—a frame (600), which is stationary in relation to the movement of the lower and upper light guide element (100, 200), wherein the motion mechanism is mounted on the frame (600).