Vehicle Headlamp Shield with 90-Degree Arm for Light Beam Cutting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive headlamp lighting modules face challenges in precise positioning and high production costs due to complex and expensive main parts that include manufacturing tolerances, which can lead to suboptimal light beam cutting and potential dazzling of other road users.

Innovation Solution

A modular cover for optical modules with a central part and branches that form a 90° angle, featuring snap-fastening mechanisms, a reflective surface, and polarizing elements, allowing for easy production, reduced manufacturing tolerances, and effective light beam cutting, while ensuring safe and comfortable lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a complex main part is used to support the lens, reflective surface and cover, then precise relative positioning is achieved, but the production cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative positioning precisionVSAvoidmain part complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the main part into separate functional components: a support structure for the lens and reflective surface, and a separate cover for the light source. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently with simpler processes, reducing overall complexity while maintaining positioning precision through dedicated mounting features for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover is extracted as a separate component from the main part, allowing it to be manufactured independently. This extraction simplifies the main part's structure and enables the cover to be produced with fewer manufacturing operations, reducing both complexity and cost while maintaining proper positioning through dedicated mounting features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Manufacturing precision

If a complex main part is used to support the lens, reflective surface and cover, then precise relative positioning is achieved, but the production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelative positioning precisionVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the main part into separate components (support structure and cover), each can be manufactured using simpler, more cost-effective processes. The support structure can be produced with standard molding techniques while the cover can be made with fewer operations, reducing overall production cost while maintaining positioning precision through dedicated mounting features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Extracting the cover as a separate component allows it to be manufactured independently with fewer operations and lower cost. The main part can then be produced without the complexity of integrating the cover, reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining precise positioning through dedicated mounting features for each component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the cover positioning depends on manufacturing tolerances of the main part, then assembly is simplified, but positioning precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidcover positioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By extracting the cover as a separate component with dedicated mounting features, the positioning precision is improved while maintaining assembly simplicity. The cover can be precisely positioned relative to the support structure through dedicated mounting features, and then the entire assembly can be easily installed as a unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The support structure acts as an intermediary between the cover and the final assembly, providing dedicated mounting features that ensure precise positioning of the cover. This intermediary structure maintains positioning precision while allowing for simple assembly of the complete unit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution reduces production costs, enhances the precision of light beam cutting, and improves safety by minimizing dazzling effects on other road users through efficient light interception and redirection, ensuring both comfort and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a first reflective surface, and a lens arranged in front of the second reflective surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the or each fastening means is a snap-fastening means. Advantageously, the or each latching means may be a clip

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentEP2966341B1Screen of a vehicle headlamp
Publication Date: 2018.03.07 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP2966341B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2966341B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a shield (50) for an optical module, intended to intercept a portion of the reflected light rays emitted by a light source, comprising a central portion (51) extending in a first direction, in particular horizontally, and at least one arm (52) characterized in that the arm(s) (52) extend from a longitudinal end (514) of the central portion in a second direction making an angle, in particular of 90°, with the first direction. Application to motor vehicles.