Vehicle Headlamp Lock-Release Mechanism for Impact Absorption
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing impact-absorbing vehicle headlamp systems are prone to undesirable displacement during normal driving conditions such as shocks and vibrations, which compromises pedestrian protection and gives a low-value impression, while increasing stiffness to prevent this reduces protection further.
Innovation Solution
The impact-absorbing vehicle headlamp system incorporates a pivot arm and locking element within a triggering mechanism, utilizing spring elements to control the displacement of the headlamp housing, allowing it to move during collisions while locking it in place during non-accidental events, ensuring both protection and stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the headlamp housing is resiliently held without being fixed in a position, then pedestrian protection is improved through impact energy absorption, but stability deteriorates causing undesirable displacement during normal driving conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The headlamp housing is designed with a dynamic positioning system that transitions between two states: a locked position during normal operation providing stability, and a displaceable position during impact events providing pedestrian protection. The triggering mechanism enables this dynamic state change based on collision detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the mechanical state parameter of the headlamp housing from fixed to movable through the triggering mechanism. Upon detecting a collision event, the triggering element activates the triggering mechanism which releases the locking constraint, allowing the housing to displace and absorb impact energy.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the headlamp housing is locked in a fixed position, then stability is improved preventing unwanted displacement, but pedestrian protection deteriorates as impact energy cannot be absorbed
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic displaceable state upon impact detection. The triggering mechanism enables this state change, allowing the headlamp housing to move and absorb impact energy during collisions while maintaining stability during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical constraint parameter of the headlamp housing is changed from locked to unlocked through the triggering mechanism. This parameter change enables the housing to displace and absorb impact energy during collision events while maintaining positional stability during normal driving conditions.
3Reliability
If the triggering mechanism is added to control headlamp displacement, then pedestrian protection is improved through reliable impact energy absorption, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The triggering mechanism is designed to activate automatically upon impact detection without requiring external intervention. The triggering element detects collision forces and self-activates the release mechanism, enabling the headlamp housing to displace and absorb impact energy autonomously.
Solution Approach 2:
The triggering mechanism replaces complex electronic control systems with a purely mechanical activation system. The triggering element and triggering mechanism use mechanical forces and movements to detect and respond to collisions, simplifying the overall system while maintaining reliable impact energy absorption.
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
This configuration allows the headlamp to absorb impact energy during collisions while preventing unwanted displacements, thus providing reliable pedestrian protection and a high-value impression by maintaining stability during normal conditions.
Implementation Method 1
wherein a first spring element is provided, which exerts a spring force on the locking element pushing the same into the locking position
Implementation Method 2
a second spring element is provided, which is connected to the vehicle frame element and to the vehicle headlamp housing, which is equipped in order to exert a resetting spring force on the vehicle headlamp housing, so that the pin is pushed in the direction of the pivot arm
Implementation Method 3
the triggering mechanism comprises a third spring element which is arranged in such a manner that a force is exerted on the pivot arm which pushes the pivot arm in the direction of the holding position
Data Source
AI summary
A self-absorbent vehicle headlamp system including (i) a vehicle frame element that can be firmly connected to a vehicle; (ii) a vehicle headlamp housing displaceably held on the vehicle frame element, having at least one pin that is firmly connected to the vehicle headlamp housing, wherein the vehicle frame element includes at least one guide for receiving and linearly guiding the pin, wherein the pin is in engagement with the guide, so that the vehicle headlamp housing is guided by the pin being displaced along the guide and is thereby displaceable with respect to the vehicle frame element; (iii) at least one triggering element that can be mechanically connected to a bumper of a vehicle, and (iv) at least one triggering mechanism that is firmly connected to the vehicle frame element and is configured to receive the triggering element and the pin and to change at least as a function of the position of the triggering element, between a state (S1) blocking the pin and a state (S2) releasing the pin, wherein in the state (S2), the vehicle headlamp housing including the pin is displaceable with respect to the vehicle frame element.