Integrated Vehicle Headlight Actuator with Screw-Nut Tilt

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headlight actuation systems for dynamic positioning are bulky, inflexible, and costly, limiting the design flexibility and increasing expenses while requiring efficient and precise dynamic positioning.

Innovation Solution

A compact, lightweight, and efficient vehicle headlight actuator system featuring a housing with a support plate, a tilt actuation system with a motor and screw-nut mechanism, and a steering actuation system with a common integral stator, allowing precise angular displacement and flexible movement through a combination of pivot, screw-nut, and ball joint mechanisms.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional headlight actuation systems are used for dynamic positioning, then positioning function is achieved, but the system becomes bulky and limits design flexibility

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidactuator size
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate actuators (lateral positioning actuator and vertical positioning actuator) into a single integrated actuator. The support plate is mounted on a common pivot, and two rod actuators work together to achieve both lateral and vertical headlight positioning functions, thereby reducing overall system volume while maintaining full positioning capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single integrated actuator performs multiple functions: it controls both lateral positioning (via first rod actuator) and vertical positioning (via second rod actuator) of the headlight. The common pivot structure enables the support plate to achieve compound motion in both directions, making one actuator system universally responsible for positioning in multiple degrees of freedom

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

2Reliability

If conventional headlight actuation systems are used, then positioning is achieved, but costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By merging two separate actuator systems into one integrated unit with a common pivot and coordinated rod actuators, the patent reduces the total number of components (motors, housings, mounting structures). This consolidation lowers manufacturing costs through reduced part count, simplified assembly processes, and decreased material requirements, while maintaining reliable positioning functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate actuators are used for lateral and vertical positioning, then positioning precision is achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidactuator system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges lateral and vertical positioning mechanisms into a single actuator system where the support plate rotates on a common pivot. The first and second rod actuators coordinate their movements to achieve precise positioning in both lateral and vertical directions, reducing device complexity by eliminating the need for two independent actuator assemblies while maintaining positioning precision through coordinated control

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

The solution provides fast, precise, and reliable dynamic positioning with reduced bulk and cost, enabling flexible and efficient headlight adjustment for improved road illumination and reduced dazzle oncoming traffic.

Implementation Method 1

The displacement mechanism comprises a screw-nut system comprising a screw forming part of the rod and a nut driven by the motor

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectScrew mechanism: Screw

Implementation Method 2

a motor with a rotor including a wheel portion

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2578451B1Actuator for vehicle headlight
Publication Date: 2013.09.18 SOCIETE INDUSTRIELLE DE SONCEBOZ SA
  • EP2578451B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2578451B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2578451B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3c

AI summary

The actuator has a support plate (3) for supporting multiple LEDs and mounted relative to a housing (2) around a pivot (10). A tilting actuation system (4) comprises a screw-nut system. A direction actuation system (5) comprises a motor with a rotor (17), where the rotor comprises a wheel portion (30) and a rotary element (19). The plate is mounted on the rotary element that comprises a wheel portion (29) engaging with the wheel portion of the rotor for angular displacement of the rotary element in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of movement of a screw (14) of the tilting system. The wheel portion of the rotor is designed as a cogwheel portion.