Vehicle Headlight Light Guide Holder with Thermal Cover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicle headlights face thermal damage and misalignment of light-guiding bodies due to heat radiation from light sources, affecting the precision of light distribution and image quality.

Innovation Solution

The primary optics are made in one piece from a transparent, light-conducting, and malleable plastic, such as silicone, with a holder and cover element designed to precisely fit and position light-guiding bodies, using engagement elements and stop elements to secure the cover element firmly on the holder, preventing thermal damage and maintaining precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a holder made of plastic is used to position light guides close to light sources, then the light distribution precision is improved, but thermal damage and deformation of the holder occur due to high temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight guide positioning precisionVSAvoidthermal damage to holder
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The holder is divided into two separate components: a positioning holder that provides precise positioning for light guides, and a cover element that acts as a thermal barrier. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without being compromised by thermal exposure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cover element serves as an intermediary component between the light sources and the positioning holder. It provides thermal insulation and protects the holder from direct heat exposure while allowing the holder to maintain its positioning function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a cover element is added as a heat shield between the holder and light sources, then thermal damage is reduced, but the available space for positioning light guides is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal protectionVSAvoidavailable space for light guides
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element is designed to wrap around the light sources from the rear side, providing thermal protection in a three-dimensional configuration that does not encroach on the critical positioning space between the holder and light guides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The cover element is designed as a thin-walled structure that provides effective thermal shielding while occupying minimal space. Its flexible design allows it to conform to the geometry of the light sources without interfering with the positioning of light guides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If engagement elements are used to connect the cover element to the holder, then the thermal protection and positioning stability are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidnumber of engagement elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The engagement elements serve dual functions: they mechanically connect the cover element to the holder while simultaneously providing additional positioning references for the light guides. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate positioning mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement elements are designed to perform multiple functions: structural connection, thermal sealing, and positioning reference. This multi-functionality reduces the overall component count and simplifies the assembly process.

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

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 ensures the light-guiding bodies are securely positioned and protected from thermal damage, maintaining the desired light distribution and image quality by preventing misalignment and deformation, even under high temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

This light propagates within the light guides by means of reflection and/or total internal reflection at the side walls of the light guides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

This light propagates within the light guides by means of reflection and/or total internal reflection at the side walls of the light guides

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 3

During operation of the lighting device or the light sources, high temperatures can occur due to the heat emitted by the light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 4

through heat conduction, also to thermal damage due to the heat generated by the operating light sources

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3830472B1Optical device for a motor vehicle headlight comprising light guides
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3830472B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3830472B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3830472B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical device (1) for a motor vehicle headlight, said device comprising the following: a primary optical element (100) having a main body (101) and a plurality of optical waveguide bodies (110) having a light-receiving surface (120) and a light-emitting surface (130); a holder (200) on which the primary optical element (100) is arranged, wherein the optical waveguide bodies (110) penetrate the holder (200) via an opening region (201) of the holder; and a covering element (300) which is arranged on the holder (200) and comprises openings (310) which receive the optical waveguide bodies (110), wherein the covering element (300) can be connected to the holder by means of a projection (420) comprising an engaging section (421) and an end section (422) and a guide recess (410) having a first region (411) and a second region (412), said second region extending in a slip-on direction (X), wherein the projection (420) can be inserted in the first region (411) such that the second region (412) can be slipped onto the engaging section (421) by means of the movement of the covering element (300) in the slip-on direction (X).