Vehicle Headlight Compact Design with Fail-Safe Mirror
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle headlights using semiconductor light sources and movable mirrors are bulky and difficult to implement in small vehicles, and they lack a fail-safe mechanism when the actuator fails, potentially causing safety hazards due to improper light distribution.
Innovation Solution
A compact vehicle headlight design featuring a tubular housing, a semiconductor light source, a movable mirror that can rotate along both X and Y axes, and a static mirror with spheroidal reflection surfaces, along with a controller that adjusts light distribution based on surrounding information detected by sensors, ensuring optimal visibility and a fail-safe operation even if the actuator fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional vehicle headlight uses a semiconductor light source and a movable mirror with an actuator, then various light distribution patterns can be provided, but the headlight becomes large-scaled and difficult to employ in small size vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the semiconductor light source at a location substantially perpendicular to the movable mirror's light-receiving surface, rather than in the conventional horizontal or vertical alignment. This dimensional change allows the light path to fold back through the housing, enabling a compact configuration that fits small vehicles while maintaining the capability to generate various light distribution patterns through the movable mirror's rotation
2Productivity
If the actuator continuously scans at high speed using forward reverse control method, then various light distribution patterns can be achieved, but when the actuator fails due to disconnection or mechanical fatigue, the movable mirror returns to default position causing intensive light emission in a constant direction which may harass pedestrians and oncoming vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of the default position (intensive light emission in a constant direction) into a beneficial fail-safe mechanism. By designing the default position to direct light upward toward the sky rather than forward, the system ensures that when the actuator fails, the light is reflected harmlessly upward instead of harassing pedestrians or oncoming vehicles. The upward-directed light may even serve as a visible signal to other road users that the headlight system is malfunctioning
3Device complexity
If the movable mirror is positioned at a default position with intensive light emission in a constant direction, then the structure is simple, but it causes harassments for pedestrians and oncoming vehicles and may risk driver safety
Solution Approach 1:
The patent repositions the semiconductor light source substantially perpendicular to the movable mirror's light-receiving surface, creating a folded light path that allows the default position to safely direct light upward. This dimensional arrangement maintains structural simplicity while eliminating the harmful effects of conventional default position configurations
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 design provides flexible and safe light distribution patterns for small vehicles, enhancing driver visibility and safety by adapting to various conditions while maintaining a compact structure and ensuring proper operation even if the actuator fails.
Implementation Method 1
a semiconductor light source 201 emitting a visual light toward the movable mirror 209
Implementation Method 2
by reflecting the visual light with the movable mirror 209 while rotating the turning board 204
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle headlight can form a variable light distribution pattern with a simple structure including a favorable fail-safe. The headlight can include a movable mirror facing a light source unit, a static mirror between the movable mirror and the light source unit and a controller to emit light from the light source unit and to scan the light toward the static mirror using the movable mirror having a default position, where receives the light at a position substantially perpendicular thereto. The controller can enable the headlight to provide various light distribution patterns by varying a scanning method and the movable mirror is configured to return the light toward the light source unit even if it fails to operate properly. Thus, the disclosed subject matter can provide a vehicle headlight that can form various light distribution patterns in accordance with surroundings and can have the simple structure including the favorable fail-safe.