Motorcycle Headlamp Light Guides With Grooved Output Homogenization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Motorcycle headlamps face challenges in achieving homogeneous light distribution due to limited space, resulting in wider spatial angles for each segment, which leads to visible intensity differences and darker gaps between segments.

Innovation Solution

A primary optics with a homogenization structure comprising parallel grooves on the common light output surface, each with a constant radius, arranged to extend transversely to the light guiding elements' arrangement lines, which helps in smoothing the overlap of light segments and maintaining even illumination during cornering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the number of segments is reduced due to limited space, then the headlamp fits motorcycle constraints, but the light distribution homogeneity deteriorates with wider spatial angles and visible dark gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadlamp sizeVSAvoidlight distribution homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing a homogenization structure with grooves specifically at the light output surface where light segments overlap. This localized structure modifies only the critical overlap regions to improve homogeneity without changing the overall segment configuration or headlamp size, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact size and light distribution uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The homogenization structure with grooves acts as an intermediary element between the light guiding elements and the external environment. These grooves modify the light output in the overlap regions by scattering or redirecting light, serving as a mediator that improves light distribution homogeneity without requiring changes to the light sources or overall headlamp geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If more light guiding elements are added to increase segments, then light distribution homogeneity improves, but the headlamp size increases beyond motorcycle constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution homogeneityVSAvoidheadlamp size
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than increasing the number of light guiding elements throughout the entire headlamp, the invention applies a localized homogenization structure only at the light output surface. This approach improves light distribution homogeneity by modifying the overlap regions specifically, without adding volume or complexity to the overall headlamp structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The homogenization structure itself is segmented into multiple grooves that correspond to different light segment overlap regions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each overlap zone, achieving improved homogeneity through localized modifications rather than requiring additional light guiding elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Volume of moving object

If segments are arranged to cover wider spatial angles due to limited space, then headlamp compactness is maintained, but visible intensity differences and dark gaps between segments increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadlamp compactnessVSAvoidvisible intensity differences
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The homogenization structure with grooves is positioned specifically in the overlap regions where intensity differences and dark gaps occur. This localized modification targets the problematic areas without requiring changes to the overall segment arrangement or spatial angles, thereby maintaining headlamp compactness while reducing visible intensity differences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful dark gaps and intensity differences into beneficial overlapping regions. By positioning homogenization grooves in these overlap zones, the structure uses the natural light overlap to its advantage, scattering and redistributing light to fill in the dark gaps and reduce visible intensity differences.

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

The solution ensures a more homogeneous light distribution along the irradiation line, optimizing illumination during cornering by adjusting the activation of light segments and maintaining optimal road illumination without glaring, with the homogenization structure effectively reducing gaps between light segments.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of light guiding elements 200 protruding from the base body 110 for forming a predetermined segmented light distribution LD1 from light of light sources 50 in a main direction X

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight guidance: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the common light output surface 220 comprises a homogenization structure 300 configured to homogenize the light distribution LD1 of light segments LS1, LS2, LS3 irradiated along the straight irradiation line IL

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP4197859B1Primary optics with light guides for a motorcycle headlamp
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP4197859B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4197859B1 patent drawingFigure 4~7B

AI summary

A primary optics (100) for a motorcycle headlamp, the primary optics (100) is a non-imaging primary optics configured to irradiate a segmented light distribution (LD1) in front of the primary optics (100), wherein the primary optics (100) comprises: - a plurality of light guiding elements (200) for forming a predetermined segmented light distribution (LD1) from light of light sources (50) in a main direction (X), wherein each light guiding element (200) has a light input surface (210) and a common light output surface (220), wherein the light guiding elements (200) are arranged in groups (GP1, GP2, GP3), wherein each group (GP1, GP2, GP3) comprises at least two light guiding elements (200) arranged in juxtaposition along a straight arrangement line (AL1, AL2, AL3) orthogonal to the main direction (X), wherein the light segments (LS1, LS2, LS3) generated by the light guiding elements (200) of a group (GP1) are irradiated in juxtaposition along a straight irradiation line (IL) corresponding to and parallel to respective straight arrangement line (AL1) of the respective group (GP1), wherein the common light output surface (220) comprises a homogenization structure (300), wherein the homogenization structure (300) is formed of a plurality of grooves (310), each of which extends along an extension line (EL) transverse to the straight arrangement line (AL1, AL2, AL3) of each group (GP1, GP2, GP3) of light guiding elements (200), wherein the groove (310) having a constant radius (R) in a cross-section orthogonal to the extension line (EL) along the extension line (EL), and wherein the grooves (310) being arranged with respect to each other in such a way that the extension lines (EL) of the grooves (310) are parallel to each other.