Vehicle Headlight Housing With Sensor-Based Actuation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle headlights with manually operated and electromotive actuating means for adjusting optically relevant components are costly, space-intensive, and limit the freedom of headlight dimension selection.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle headlight design that eliminates the need for mechanical actuating means by using a measuring device to emit an electrical signal for controlling electromotive actuating means, allowing for efficient and cost-effective adjustment of optically relevant components, with a compact and robust structure, utilizing angular position sensors or potentiometers, and a transmission gear to transmit rotational movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manually operated actuating means are used to adjust optically relevant components, then adjustment functionality is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment functionalityVSAvoidmechanical coupling elements
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the manual mechanical coupling elements from the headlight system and replaces them with an electromotive actuating means. The measuring device detects the position of the adjustment element and sends signals to an electromotor that automatically positions the optically relevant component, eliminating the need for manual mechanical linkages while preserving adjustment functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical actuating system with an electromechanical system. Instead of using manual mechanical coupling elements to transmit movement from an adjustment element to a drive shaft, the system uses a measuring device (angular position sensor) combined with an electromotor to achieve the same positioning function, thereby reducing mechanical complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If manually operated actuating means with mechanical coupling elements are installed, then adjustment capability is provided, but manufacturing and installation cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing and installation cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes complex mechanical coupling elements from the design, which directly reduces manufacturing steps and assembly operations. By using a measuring device coupled to an electromotor, the system requires fewer precision-machined mechanical parts, lowering both manufacturing and installation costs while maintaining adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The substitution of mechanical actuating means with an electromotive system reduces the number of mechanical components that require precision manufacturing and assembly. The electromotor and sensor system can be more easily manufactured and installed compared to complex mechanical linkages, thereby reducing overall manufacturing and installation costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If mechanical actuating means are included in the headlight, then adjustment functions are enabled, but headlight dimensions cannot be freely selected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadjustment functionsVSAvoidheadlight dimensions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the bulky mechanical coupling elements from the headlight design and replaces them with a compact electromotive actuating means. The measuring device and electromotor occupy significantly less space than mechanical linkages, allowing the headlight to be designed with more flexible and compact dimensions while preserving full adjustment functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The electromechanical system replaces the space-intensive mechanical actuating means, enabling more freedom in headlight dimensional design. The compact nature of sensors and electromotors allows for smaller overall headlight dimensions or more flexible spatial arrangements compared to systems requiring extensive mechanical linkages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3069932B1Vehicle headlight, in particular motor vehicle headlight, with a housing
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3069932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3069932B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3069932B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle headlight, in particular motor vehicle headlight, with a housing. The vehicle headlight has a housing (1) and an adjusting element (2) accommodated in the housing (1), as well as a measuring device (4) arranged for detecting the position and/or orientation of the adjusting element (2), wherein adjusting element (2) and the measuring device (4) are connected with the housing (1), wherein the measuring device (4) is adapted to generate an electrical signal which is dependent on the position and/or orientation of the adjusting element (2), the electrical signal being for triggering an adjusting mechanism for adjusting an optically relevant component (3) of the vehicle headlight.