Automotive Lamp Leveller Layout for Internal Ball Socket Access

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive lighting devices face challenges in accommodating levelers due to modern shapes and functionalities, making it difficult to arrange levelers in the intended space while ensuring easy access to the ball socket joint for adjustment.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves an automotive lighting device with a leveler completely housed inside the device, where the leveler actuator pushes the ball socket connection in a direction forming between 150 and 210 degrees with respect to the light projection direction, optimizing space and accessibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the leveler is arranged outside the housing to facilitate access to the ball socket joint, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and space occupation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The leveler actuator is nested inside the housing, with the ball socket joint positioned such that the actuator can push it through internal space. This nesting approach allows the leveler components to be contained within the housing volume while maintaining functionality, eliminating the need for external arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The ball socket joint is positioned at an angle of 150-210 degrees relative to the light projection direction, utilizing three-dimensional space within the housing. This angular positioning allows the actuator to access and push the ball socket joint from an optimized direction, facilitating operation while maintaining compact internal arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If the leveler is compacted to reduce housing space, then the volume of stationary object is improved, but the ease of repair and access for maintenance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The leveler actuator is pre-positioned inside the housing with the ball socket joint accessible from the front. This preliminary arrangement of components allows maintenance personnel to access the leveler mechanism from the front of the housing without requiring disassembly of the entire device, facilitating easy repair while maintaining compact volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The ball socket joint acts as an intermediary element that can be accessed and manipulated from the front of the housing. By positioning this joint such that it receives pushing force from the actuator at a 150-210 degree angle, the design creates an accessible interface for maintenance while keeping all leveler components contained within the housing volume.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the leveler actuator pushes the ball socket joint from the rear, then the structural arrangement is simplified, but the light projection and luminous functionality are interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The pushing direction of the actuator is oriented at an angle of 150-210 degrees relative to the light projection direction, rather than from the rear. This angular positioning places the actuator's line of action outside the light cone, allowing structural simplicity while preventing interference with the luminous functionality of the lighting module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The ball socket joint is positioned in a specific location within the housing where it can be accessed by the actuator from the front at an optimized angle. This localized positioning ensures that the actuator's pushing action does not interfere with the light projection path, maintaining both structural simplicity and luminous functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12337748B2Automotive lighting device with leveller having a leveller actuator connected to a ball socket connection of lighting module

Publication Date: 2025.06.24

AI summary

An automotive lighting device includes a housing, a lighting module arranged inside the housing and a leveler having a leveler motor and a leveler actuator. The lighting module includes a ball socket connection suitable to receive a leveler actuator connector, the lighting module defining a light projection direction. The leveler actuator includes a connector configured to couple with the ball socket connection. The leveler is arranged totally inside the housing and the leveler actuator is arranged to push the ball socket connection in a direction which forms between 150 and 210° with respect to the light projection direction.