Vehicle Headlight Diaphragm Clamping Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle headlight projection devices face challenges in securely attaching the diaphragm element to the base body without play, especially when the headlight vibrates, and require additional connecting means to maintain the desired light distribution and prevent glare, which complicates the structural design.

Innovation Solution

The projection device incorporates a holding element fastened oppositely to the base body along the sliding direction with a securing device comprising a first and second securing element, where the first securing element is on the cover element and the second on the holding element, using clamping devices with locking and counter-locking mechanisms to secure the diaphragm element in place, and a heat sink for the light source to dissipate heat.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the aperture element is attached to the base body using additional connecting elements, then the attachment stability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements and clamping elements are merged into a single integrated component that performs both guidance and clamping functions. The guide elements have clamping surfaces that directly engage with corresponding surfaces on the aperture element, eliminating the need for separate connecting elements and reducing structural complexity while maintaining attachment stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The guide elements serve multiple functions: they guide the aperture element along the sliding direction, limit displacement through end stops, and secure the aperture element in its end position through clamping engagement. This multi-functionality reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable attachment

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

2Manufacturing precision

If the aperture element is secured with multiple clamping devices, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning precisionVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple clamping functions are merged into the guide elements themselves, which have clamping surfaces that engage with the aperture element. The guide elements are positioned at different locations to provide multiple clamping points, achieving precise positioning without requiring separate clamping devices for each point

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If the aperture element can be easily assembled, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the attachment stability during vibration deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidvibration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide elements are designed with elastic properties, allowing them to be compressed during assembly to engage the clamping surfaces. This elastic deformation enables easy assembly by simply pushing the aperture element into place, while the resulting elastic force maintains strong clamping engagement to resist vibrations during operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The guide elements automatically secure the aperture element through their elastic clamping action. The end stops on the guide elements automatically limit the displacement of the aperture element to its end position, providing self-securing functionality that ensures both easy assembly and vibration resistance without requiring additional fastening operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3942225B1Projection device for a motor vehicle headlight
Publication Date: 2024.01.10 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3942225B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3942225B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3942225B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a projection assembly (10) for a motor vehicle headlight, which projection assembly (10) comprises the following: - projection optics (50), - an aperture element (100), - a main body (200), wherein the aperture element (100) can be displaced on the main body (200) along a displacement direction (X) by means of guiding elements (110) on the main body (200), wherein the guiding elements (110) engage in counter guiding elements (210), and wherein the guiding elements (110) have an end stop (111) and the counter guiding elements (210) have a stop (211), which stops (211) are designed to restrict, in combination with the end stops (111), the displacement of the aperture element (100) in the displacement direction (X) to an end position, wherein the projection assembly (10) has at least one clamp assembly which has a first and a second clamp element (120a, 220a), wherein the first clamp element (120a) is designed to engage with the second clamp element (220a), and wherein the at least one clamp assembly is designed to clamp the aperture element (100) in the final position thereof on the main body (200).