Vehicle Headlamp Optics for Fast Low-High Beam Switching

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headlamp devices with solenoid valves are prone to slow reaction and malfunction, preventing seamless switching between low beam and high beam modes.

Innovation Solution

A headlamp device featuring a compound lens unit, heat dissipating member, reflector, and light emitting unit with adjustable lower lens assembly and light sources, eliminating the need for a solenoid valve to switch between low beam and high beam modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a solenoid valve is used to control the blocking board for switching between low beam and high beam modes, then the headlamp device can achieve beam switching functionality, but the reaction speed becomes slow and the reliability deteriorates due to potential malfunction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching reliabilityVSAvoidreaction speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the solenoid valve from the system entirely. Instead of using a blocking board that moves to switch between low beam and high beam modes, the invention uses a fixed lens assembly with specific optical characteristics that enables beam switching through optical design rather than mechanical movement. This extraction of the faulty component eliminates the reliability and speed issues associated with solenoid valves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical blocking board system with an optical system using a fixed lens assembly. The lens assembly has a first region and a second region with different optical properties, allowing it to redirect light paths optically rather than mechanically. This substitution eliminates moving parts and solenoid valves, thereby improving both reliability and reaction speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If a blocking board with solenoid valve is used to switch between low beam and high beam modes, then beam mode switching is achieved, but the device complexity increases and reliability decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching reliabilityVSAvoidswitching mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the blocking board and solenoid valve assembly from the headlamp device. The switching functionality is achieved instead through a fixed lens assembly with specific optical characteristics, eliminating the need for complex moving parts and control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed lens assembly serves multiple functions: it focuses light, redirects light paths, and enables both low beam and high beam modes through its fixed optical structure. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate blocking boards and solenoid valves, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If a conventional headlamp device with blocking board is used, then low beam and high beam modes can be switched, but the device size becomes larger due to additional components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveswitching reliabilityVSAvoiddevice volume
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the blocking board and solenoid valve components from the headlamp device. The beam switching functionality is achieved through a fixed lens assembly with specific optical characteristics, eliminating the need for additional moving parts and reducing overall device volume.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent integrates the beam switching functionality directly into the fixed lens assembly through its optical design. The lens assembly's first and second regions work together to achieve both low beam and high beam modes, merging multiple functions into a single component and reducing the need for separate blocking boards and actuators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enables quick and reliable switching between low beam and high beam modes, improving reliability and reducing device size, while maintaining effective light distribution patterns and stray-light rejection.

Implementation Method 1

a light emitting unit (7) including at least one light source (71, 72)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a reflector (5) having a reflecting surface (51)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a compound lens unit (4) including an upper lens (41) and a lower lens assembly (42)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3916291B1Headlamp device for a vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 HUA XIN OPTRONICS CO
  • EP3916291B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3916291B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3916291B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A headlamp device includes an upper lens (41), a lower lens assembly (42), a reflector (5), a blocking board (6) and a light emitting unit (7) . The light emitting unit (7) includes a first light source (71) and a second light source (72) that are each operable to switch between an on-state and an off-state. When the first light source (71) is in the on-state and when the second light source (72) is in the off-state, low beam light rays are generated by cooperation of the upper lens (41), the reflector (5), the blocking board (6) and the first light source (71). When the second light source (72) and the first light source (71) are in the on-state, high beam light rays are generated by cooperation of the upper lens (41), the lower lens assembly (42), the reflector (5), the blocking board (6) and the light emitting unit (7).