Vehicle Headlight Closure Mask with Flexible Membrane
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlamp assemblies without glass face challenges in allowing relative movements of the lighting module for adjustment while maintaining a sealed environment, as they are typically rigid and do not accommodate the necessary freedom of movement.
Innovation Solution
A headlamp assembly with a closure mask featuring a rigid body and an annular flexible membrane that deforms to create a sealing lip, allowing the lighting module to move within the housing while maintaining tightness, using materials like ethylene-propylene-diene rubber monomer for durability and resistance to environmental factors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rigid closing mask is used to seal the opening, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the lighting module cannot move for adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a flexible membrane (薄膜) as the closing mask to replace rigid sealing structures. The membrane is designed with sufficient flexibility to deform during assembly and maintain sealing contact with the lighting module while allowing the module to move for adjustment. The membrane's elastic properties enable it to conform to the module's position changes while preserving the sealed environment, thus resolving the contradiction between sealing effectiveness and module mobility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the closing mask from rigid to flexible by selecting appropriate material properties for the membrane. The membrane's elasticity and deformability parameters are optimized to allow movement in certain directions while maintaining sealing pressure in critical areas. This parameter change enables the mask to adapt to module position variations without compromising seal integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a flexible membrane is used to allow module movement, then the mobility is improved, but the sealing reliability may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic sealing approach where the membrane can deform and adapt its shape in response to module movement. The membrane's dynamic flexibility allows it to maintain continuous contact with the module surface during adjustment operations, ensuring that sealing effectiveness is preserved even as the module changes position. This dynamic adaptation prevents gaps or leaks that would occur with rigid sealing structures.
3Manufacturing precision
If a rigid mask structure is used, then the manufacturing precision is improved, but the adjustment capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces rigid mask structures with flexible membranes that can be manufactured with standard precision while gaining operational flexibility. The membrane's inherent flexibility compensates for minor manufacturing variations and allows the lighting module to be adjusted to different positions for optimal beam alignment. This approach maintains adequate manufacturing precision while enabling the adjustment capability that rigid structures prevent.
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 enables simple and cost-effective implementation of a sealing mechanism that allows for the necessary adjustments and mobility of the lighting module while ensuring the internal components remain protected from external aggressions, enhancing the assembly's durability and aesthetic appeal.
Implementation Method 1
an annular flexible membrane arranged at the interface between the opening and the lighting module; said membrane ensuring the seal between the module and the mask while allowing the mobility of the module in the box. According to the invention, the membrane defines an annular sealing lip obtained by elastic deformation of the membrane around the module
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
A vehicle headlight assembly comprising a housing having an opening, said housing having at least one lighting module (110) disposed inside the housing, said lighting module (110) being hermetically sealed by a projection lens (118) disposed opposite the opening, said headlight assembly comprising a sealing closure mask (260) closing the opening between the housing and the lighting module (110), characterized in that the closure mask (260) comprises a rigid body (261) in which is provided an opening (262) through which the module (110) passes and a flexible annular membrane (263) disposed at the interface between the opening (262) and the lighting module (110); said membrane (263) ensuring the seal between the module (110) and the mask (260) while allowing the module (110) to move within the housing.