Headlamp Linkage Structure for Cut-Off Line Drift Compensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle headlamp systems face challenges in compensating for cut-off line drift due to factors like material type, component placement, and temperature conditions, leading to complex and difficult-to-control installation and operation.

Innovation Solution

A device comprising an adjustment unit for adjusting the lighting direction and a carrier frame for carrying the lighting unit, connected by triangularly shaped connecting means with three joints and conjunction units, allowing for automatic compensation of cut-off line drift through relative movement of the conjunction units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If spring-loaded ball joints or spring loaded screws are used to address thermal issues in headlamps, then temperature-related light drift is compensated, but the system becomes complex to install and challenging to control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature compensationVSAvoidinstallation and control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical state of the connecting elements from rigid (screws, ball joints) to flexible (elastomeric material), allowing thermal expansion and contraction to be absorbed through elastic deformation. This eliminates the need for complex spring-loaded mechanisms while maintaining temperature compensation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The elastomeric connecting elements automatically compensate for thermal expansion and contraction without requiring active control systems or complex installation procedures. The material's inherent elastic properties enable self-adjustment to temperature changes, making the system self-regulating and easy to install.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Stability of the object's composition

If rigid connecting means are used between adjustment unit and carrier frame, then structural stability is maintained, but cut-off line drift occurs due to thermal expansion and material movement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcut-off line position
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from rigid connecting means to elastomeric material, changing the mechanical properties from rigid to flexible. This allows the connecting elements to accommodate thermal expansion and material movement while maintaining stable positioning of the cut-off line through elastic deformation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite construction with elastomeric material connecting the adjustment unit and carrier frame. This composite approach combines the stability of rigid components with the flexibility of elastic material, achieving both structural stability and precision in cut-off line positioning under varying temperature conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 device effectively reduces cut-off line drift by compensating for component movements and expansions, providing stable and flexible adjustment without requiring active control from the driver, and can be integrated as a standard part with minimal connecting elements.

Implementation Method 1

The connecting elements are made of an elastomeric material and are configured for compensating misalignment and/or drift of a cut-off line of the lamp in particular caused by temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4348107B1Device for compensating cut-off line drift of a lamp, lamp comprising the device and vehicle comprising the lamp
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 HELLA GMBH & CO KGAA
  • EP4348107B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4348107B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4348107B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device (10) for compensating cut-off line drift of a lamp (11) in a vehicle (12), comprising an adjustment unit (13) for adjusting the lighting direction of the lamp (11), a carrier frame (14) for carrying a lighting unit of the lamp (11), and triangularly shaped connecting means (20) mechanically connecting the adjustment unit (13) with the carrier frame (14), the connecting means (20) comprising a first joint (21) at a first corner of the connecting means (20), a second joint (22) at a second corner of the connecting means (20), a third joint (23) at a third corner of the connecting means (20), a first conjunction unit (24) connected between the first joint (21) and the second joint (22), a second conjunction unit (25) connected between the first joint (21) and the third joint (23), and a third conjunction unit (26) connected between the second joint (22) and the third joint (23), wherein the joints (21, 22, 23) are configured for moving the conjunction units (24, 25, 26) relative to each other for compensating the cut-off line drift. The invention further relates to a lamp (11) comprising an inventive device (10) and a vehicle (12) comprising an inventive lamp (11).