Vehicle Headlight Coupling Element for Compact Pivoting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motor vehicle headlight designs face challenges in achieving smooth and vibration-resistant adjustment mechanisms within limited installation space, as existing solutions often require larger adjustment levers and guide structures, which are not feasible due to space constraints.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a pivotally mounted optical unit and a coupling element driven by a linearly adjustable actuating arm, allowing for simultaneous pivoting of optical units about parallel axes without the need for guide structures, utilizing an elongated coupling element that moves linearly to pivot the optical components, and incorporating a drive device such as an electric linear motor for automatic adjustment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a coupling element is used to mechanically connect optical units for simultaneous pivoting, then the optical units can be adjusted together, but the mechanism requires guide structures and precise component matching which increases device complexity and installation space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the guide structures from the coupling mechanism, allowing the coupling element to operate without precise guiding. The coupling element is designed to accommodate positional variations and maintain smooth operation without requiring exact component matching, thereby simplifying the overall device structure while preserving the simultaneous pivoting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is designed with specific geometric parameters that allow it to convert linear motion from the actuating arm into synchronized rotational motion of multiple optical units. By optimizing the coupling element's dimensions and connection point positions, the mechanism achieves smooth operation without requiring complex guide structures or precise component matching.
2Reliability
If the adjustment lever distance is increased to improve pivoting smoothness and vibration resistance, then the adjustment mechanism performs better, but the installation space requirements increase which is not feasible in modern headlight designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a traditional lever-based adjustment mechanism to a coupling element that converts linear actuation into rotational motion. This dimensional change allows the mechanism to achieve the same pivoting function with a more compact footprint, fitting modern headlight space constraints while maintaining vibration resistance through the coupling element's design.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element acts as an intermediary between the linearly moving actuating arm and the pivotally mounted optical units. It mediates the motion conversion and force transmission, enabling smooth and vibration-resistant adjustment without requiring large adjustment lever distances, thus solving the space vs. reliability contradiction.
3Ease of operation
If guide structures are implemented to ensure precise coupling element movement, then the adjustment mechanism operates smoothly, but the manufacturing precision requirements and component matching efforts increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates guide structures from the coupling mechanism, removing the requirement for precise guiding of the coupling element. The coupling element is designed to function effectively without guides, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements and component matching efforts while maintaining smooth adjustment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is designed to self-accommodate positional variations and maintain smooth operation without external guidance. Its geometry and connection design allow it to automatically adjust to slight misalignments, eliminating the need for precisely fitted guide structures and reducing manufacturing complexity.
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
This solution reduces installation space requirements, eliminates the need for guide structures, and enables precise adjustment of the beam range, effectively utilizing limited space while maintaining smooth and vibration-resistant operation.
Implementation Method 1
the actuating arm of the drive device is movably connected to the coupling element at a third connection point and drives the coupling element in the direction of the displacement axis
Implementation Method 2
a first optical unit which is pivotably mounted about a first pivoting axis, a second optical unit which is pivotably mounted about a second pivoting axis
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A lighting device (100) for a motor vehicle headlight, which lighting device comprises the following: - a first optical assembly (100) which is pivotably mounted about a first pivot axis (Y1); - a second optical assembly (200) which is pivotably mounted about a second pivot axis (Y2), the first and second pivot axes (Y1, Y2) running parallel to one another; and - at least one adjusting apparatus for simultaneously pivoting the optical assemblies (100, 200) about their pivot axes (Y1, Y2), which adjusting apparatus comprises a coupling element (310) and a drive apparatus (320) having a control arm (321) which can be moved linearly along a translation axis (X1), wherein: - the translation axis (X1) is orthogonal to the pivot axes (Y1, Y2); - the coupling element (310) is articulated to the first assembly (100) by means of a first joint (311) and to the second assembly (200) by means of a second joint (312); - the control arm (321) is movably connected to the coupling element (310) at a third joint (313) and drives the coupling element in the direction of the translation axis (X1); - the first pivot axis (Y1) is in a horizontal plane (H), and the normal distance of the first joint (311) from said horizontal plane (H) is different from the normal distance of the third joint (313) from the horizontal plane (H).