Motor Vehicle Headlight Switching Between Cornering Light and Sensor

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive lighting systems lack the ability to efficiently switch between cornering lights and environment sensing elements, such as optical sensors or cameras, due to limited design space and mechanical constraints.

Innovation Solution

A headlight design that incorporates a changing device with a changing arm and guide axis, allowing the light module and environment sensing element to be displaced within a housing, enabling seamless transitions between these components using translatory and rotational movements, facilitated by a drive mechanism.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed headlight design is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the functionality is limited and cannot switch between light module and environment sensing element

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidstructure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic headlight system where the light module and environment sensing element can be alternately positioned in the same region through a changing device. The changing arm enables rotational movement to switch between components, allowing the system to adapt its functionality based on driving conditions while maintaining a manageable structural complexity through shared mounting mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple components are placed in limited design space, then functionality increases, but mechanical constraints and displacement difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent integrationVSAvoiddisplacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes rotational movement around a guide axis to switch between the light module and environment sensing element. By employing angular displacement rather than linear translation, the changing device efficiently manages component positioning within the constrained headlight housing, enabling smooth transitions between functions without requiring excessive linear space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If environment sensing element is always visible, then sensing function is always available, but light module cannot be activated when needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensing availabilityVSAvoidlight activation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic switching between the light module and environment sensing element based on driving conditions. The changing device alternates the visibility and activation of these components - the environment sensing element is positioned for sensing when needed, while the light module is brought into position for illumination or cornering functions, ensuring both functions are available at appropriate times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS20260054635A1Headlight for a motor vehicle, motor vehicle comprising the headlight, method for operating the headlight

Publication Date: 2026.02.26 DR ING H C F PORSCHE AG

AI summary

A headlight is provided for a motor vehicle. The headlight includes: a light module, which includes a cornering light or illuminated lettering; an environment sensing element, which includes an optical environment sensor, a radar, or a camera; a housing; and a changing device. The housing has a region into which the light module or the environment sensing element is displaceable, and the changing device is configured to carry out a change between the light module and the environment sensing element in the region.