Vehicle Headlight Component Housing Thermal and Mechanical Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle headlight systems face challenges in maintaining mechanical stability and easy maintenance while preventing mechanical stresses and temperature-related issues from affecting the optical, electrical, and thermal components, especially during assembly and operation.

Innovation Solution

A component housing design featuring a housing shell, cover, printed circuit boards, spacers, and connecting elements that securely attach and cool the electronic component, allowing for easy access and maintenance, while dissipating mechanical loads and ensuring precise alignment with the imaging optics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the electronic component is securely mounted in the component housing, then mechanical stability is improved, but mechanical stresses may affect the optical and electrical connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidconnection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting structure is divided into separate functional elements: the component housing provides mechanical support while the optical component is mounted in a way that isolates it from housing stresses. The electrical connections are routed and supported independently to prevent stress transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

An intermediary mounting structure or stress-isolating interface is introduced between the electronic component and the housing to decouple mechanical stresses. This allows the component to be securely mounted while preventing stress transmission to sensitive optical and electrical connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the housing is designed for easy maintenance and access, then ease of operation is improved, but mechanical protection may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmechanical protection
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into removable sections or access panels that can be easily opened for maintenance while the main structure remains intact to provide mechanical protection. The optical component can be accessed through a specific opening without compromising the overall housing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The housing incorporates dynamic access mechanisms such as removable panels or hinged sections that allow easy maintenance access when needed, while maintaining a closed, protective structure during normal operation. This provides both ease of maintenance and mechanical protection at different times.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Temperature

If thermal management is enhanced for the electronic component, then temperature control is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal managementVSAvoidhousing structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The housing structure is combined with thermal management functions by integrating heat dissipation features directly into the housing walls or mounting surfaces. The housing serves both as mechanical protection and as a thermal pathway, eliminating the need for separate complex cooling systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The housing structure itself provides thermal management through its material properties and geometry, such as heat-conductive walls or integrated heat sinks, without requiring additional active cooling components. The structure serves its own thermal regulation needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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 a robust and stress-free assembly and maintenance environment, ensuring the optical and thermal functionality of the headlight components, enhancing durability and performance by minimizing mechanical and thermal stresses.

Implementation Method 1

the first spacer can be designed to be resilient, that is, to be elastically deformable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

a heat sink that is arranged on the thermal surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

The inlet and the outlet of the cooling line are arranged in the inlet opening and in the outlet opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3423747B1Component housing of a vehicle headlight
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3423747B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3423747B1 patent drawingFigure 3~10
  • EP3423747B1 patent drawingFigure 4~11

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle headlight comprising at least one light source, at least one projection optical system, and an electronic component (1) with an operative optical surface on a front face, an active thermal surface, and electric contacts. Furthermore, a component housing (110) which is made of a housing shell (120) and a housing cover (150) contains a first printed circuit board (130) and at least one first spacer (160). The component housing (110) at least partly receives the electronic component (1). The housing shell (120) comprises an assembly position for the electronic component (1) and a component opening (121) which is located in the region of the assembly position, in which the electronic component (1) is arranged, and by means of which the active optical surface of the electronic component (1) can be accessed. The electronic component (1) can be connected to the first printed circuit board (130) via the electric contacts of the electronic component. The housing shell (120) can be closed by the housing cover (150). The at least one spacer (160) is arranged between a paired support point and the housing cover (150), wherein the support point lies on the first printed circuit board (130), and at least one connection element is provided for producing a connection between the housing cover (150) and the housing shell (120), said connection element being introducible preferably along an axis which runs transversely to the printed circuit board (130).