Vehicular Lighting Bracket Layout to Minimize Aiming Deformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicular lighting fixtures experience deformation due to rotational moments generated between the actuator output shaft and the aiming nut, leading to incomplete force transmission and increased production costs from separate metal elastic pieces used to mitigate deformation.

Innovation Solution

Aligning the actuator output shaft and the aiming nut on the same central axis reduces rotational moments, allowing the elastic piece to be made entirely of resin and integrated with the aiming/leveling bracket, thereby reducing deformation and production costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the actuator output shaft and aiming nut are spaced apart to improve arrangement freedom, then the degree of freedom in arrangement is improved, but rotational moment increases causing bracket deformation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearrangement freedomVSAvoidbracket deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful rotational moment into a beneficial preloading force. The elastic piece is intentionally designed to be compressed by the rotational moment, storing elastic energy that then acts as a preloading force to maintain firm contact between the actuator output shaft and aiming nut, preventing bracket deformation while allowing arrangement freedom

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a metal elastic piece is used to suppress bracket deformation, then bracket deformation is reduced, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket deformationVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the elastic piece from metal to resin. By carefully designing the geometry and elasticity of the resin piece, it achieves the required mechanical performance to suppress bracket deformation while being manufacturable as an integral part of the bracket, reducing production cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the elastic piece with the aiming/leveling bracket into a single integral component. The elastic piece is formed as an extension of the bracket itself, eliminating the need for separate metal elastic pieces and reducing production complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the elastic piece force is increased to reduce deformation, then bracket deformation is suppressed, but the force applied to the elastic piece becomes large

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebracket deformationVSAvoidelastic piece force

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 configuration minimizes displacement of the aiming/leveling bracket, reduces the force applied to the elastic piece, and enables cost-effective integration of the elastic piece with the bracket, ensuring efficient force transmission and reduced production expenses.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic piece 12a, configured to elastically press the aiming nut 82 in a direction lateral to the central axis Ax

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3995360B1Vehicular lighting fixture

Publication Date: 2024.01.03 STANLEY ELECTRIC CO LTD

Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B

AI summary

A vehicular lighting fixture is provided which includes a combination of an aiming mechanism (6,7,8) and a leveling mechanism (9) that can reduce deformation of an aiming/leveling bracket (10). A vertical aiming mechanism (8) and a leveling mechanism (9) include an aiming/leveling bracket (10) that is integrally molded with a resin. A rectangular recess (11) is formed in the aiming/leveling bracket (10) so as to accommodate an aiming nut (82) serving as a point of load for the vertical aiming and an actuator output shaft (92) serving as a point of effort. The rectangular recess (11) is located on or near the central axis (Ax) of the aiming nut (82) where the central axis (Ax) substantially coincides with the front-rear direction of a vehicle.