Automotive Headlamp Rotating Shaft Beam Cutoff Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive headlamp designs with mobile covers for beam cutoff are complex and costly due to their variable geometry, making them difficult to produce and assemble, and they do not effectively optimize lighting without dazzling oncoming drivers.
Innovation Solution
A headlamp with a rotating shaft equipped with a double-edge mask and a low wall for oblique and vertical cut-off profiles, allowing for simple and cost-effective production and easy assembly, enabling the emission of dipped, main, and motorway beams while avoiding glare for oncoming drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a mobile cover with variable geometry is used to control beam cutoff, then the lighting can be adapted to different conditions (dipped beam, main beam, motorway beam), but the structure becomes complex and costly to produce
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile cover is segmented into multiple independent cut-off members (first cut-off member for dipped beam, second cut-off member for main beam, third cut-off member for motorway beam) that can be positioned independently. Each member has a specific geometric shape designed for its function, allowing the system to achieve multiple beam patterns without requiring a single complex variable-geometry cover.
Solution Approach 2:
Each cut-off member has a specific local geometric quality optimized for its function: the first cut-off member has an oblique profile for dipped beam, the second has a vertical profile for main beam, and the third has a specific profile for motorway beam. This local optimization of geometry for each function simplifies the overall structure compared to a single variable-geometry solution.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rotating shaft with multiple cut-off members is used, then multiple beam patterns can be achieved, but the precision required for positioning increases production cost
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shaft incorporates elastic return members (springs) that automatically return the shaft to a predetermined position (typically the dipped beam position) when the actuating force is removed. This self-returning mechanism eliminates the need for complex positioning systems and high-precision control, as the system naturally returns to a safe default state.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating shaft is designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic repositioning of the cut-off members based on driving conditions. The shaft can rotate to different angular positions to select between dipped beam, main beam, and motorway beam modes, providing adaptability without requiring fixed complex mechanisms for each beam type.
3Reliability
If the mobile cover is designed to default to dipped beam position, then safety is improved, but the arrangement and mounting complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotating shaft incorporates elastic return members (springs) that automatically return the shaft to a predetermined position (typically the dipped beam position) when the actuating force is removed. This self-returning mechanism ensures that the safety default position is automatically achieved without requiring complex control systems or additional mounting complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic return members act as a pre-positioning mechanism that continuously exerts a restoring force to maintain the shaft in the safe dipped beam position. This beforehand cushioning ensures that even if the actuating mechanism fails, the system naturally returns to or remains in the safe default state, improving reliability without adding complex positioning systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a headlight for a motor vehicle, this headlight comprising at least one optical module (16) capable of emitting several light beams, including a low beam (6) and at least one additional light beam (3, 4). It is housed inside a headlight casing and combines a light source (17) and an optical system (18, 19). It is equipped with a movable cover that can be positioned between at least two locations, this movable cover being arranged along an axis (13) mounted for rotation within the optical module (16) and driven in rotation by at least one motor (20).The axis (13) includes at least one first cutting element (24) arranged in a double-edged shield allowing to obtain an oblique cut for the emission of the code beam (6), and at least one second cutting element arranged in a wall (30) of substantially constant height, angularly offset with respect to the first cutting element (24) and allowing to obtain at least one substantially vertical cut line (34) for the emission of a road beam.