Motorcycle Headlamp Stabilizing Structure for Vibration Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

State-of-the-art optical devices for motorcycle headlamps, typically made of silicone, face instability due to material limitations, leading to shaky light distribution during vehicle vibrations.

Innovation Solution

The optical device incorporates a stabilizing structure with a right triangular prism or truncated pyramid design, combined with a cover element that presses against a counter-support surface, stabilizing the curved light output surface while maintaining the optically relevant area, and utilizing engagement elements for secure positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the light output surface is made larger to improve illumination area, then the illumination coverage is enhanced, but the structural stability deteriorates due to material limitations causing shaky light distribution under vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight output surface areaVSAvoidstructural stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a composite structure combining a rigid holder made of stable material (such as metal or rigid plastic) with the primary optics. The holder provides structural stability while the primary optics maintains its light-guiding function. This composite approach allows the light output surface to be larger without compromising stability, as the rigid holder supports the larger optics assembly against vibrations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The holder acts as an intermediary element between the mounting structure and the primary optics. It provides a stable mounting platform that decouples the primary optics from direct vibration transmission, allowing the light output surface to be enlarged while maintaining stability through the intermediary holder structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If the primary optics is made larger to increase the optically relevant area, then the light distribution coverage is improved, but the positioning precision deteriorates due to increased susceptibility to vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoptically relevant areaVSAvoidpositioning precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure of rigid holder and primary optics maintains positioning precision by providing a stable reference frame. The rigid holder ensures that even as the optically relevant area increases, the relative positions of light guiding elements remain precise and stable during vehicle operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into the holder (providing stable positioning) and the primary optics (providing light distribution). This segmentation allows the optically relevant area to be enlarged in the primary optics while the holder maintains positioning precision through its rigid structure and engagement elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Stability of the object's composition

If a stabilizing structure is added to improve positional stability, then the light distribution stability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder serves multiple functions: it mounts the primary optics, provides structural stability, positions light guiding elements relative to light sources, and supports the cover element. By making the holder multi-functional, the patent achieves positional stability without adding separate stabilizing structures, thus avoiding increased device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizing function is merged into the holder structure itself rather than being a separate component. The holder combines mounting, support, and stabilization functions into a single integrated structure, achieving positional stability while minimizing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If the cover element is added to protect the primary optics and block sun radiation, then the protection function is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection functionVSAvoidcomponent complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cover element is designed to perform multiple functions: it protects the primary optics from physical damage, blocks sun radiation from heating the optics, and provides additional structural support. By consolidating these protection functions into a single cover element, the patent improves reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection functions (physical protection and radiation blocking) are merged into a single cover element component. This integrated approach provides comprehensive protection while adding only one additional component to the device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enhances the stability and size of the optically relevant area, ensuring a stable light distribution even under vibrations, while the cover element's design helps in blocking sun radiation and maintaining the optical properties of the primary optics.

Implementation Method 1

a primary optics (100) having a base body (110) and a plurality of light guiding elements (120) protruding from the base body (110) for forming a predetermined light distribution from light of light sources in a main direction (X)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4247698B1Optical device for a motorcycle headlamp optics
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP4247698B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4247698B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

An optical device (10) for a motorcycle headlamp, the optical device (10) comprising: - a primary optics (100) having a base body (110) and a plurality of light guiding elements (120) for forming a light distribution in a main direction (X), wherein each light guiding element (120) has a common light output surface (130) having an optically relevant area (131), - a holder (300), - a cover element (400), which is attachable to the holder (300), wherein the cover element (400) in combination with the holder (300) is configured to fix the position of the primary optics (100) between the holder (300) and the cover element (400), when the cover element (400) is attached to the holder (300), wherein the primary optics (100) comprises a stabilizing structure (200), wherein the stabilizing structure (200) is built as a protrusion projecting from the common light output surface (130) in the main direction (X), wherein the stabilizing structure (200) having a first support surface (210), and wherein the cover element (400) comprises a first counter-support surface (410), wherein the base body (110) of the primary optics (100) comprises a second support surface (140), and wherein the holder (300) comprises a second counter-support surface, wherein the first counter-support surface (410) in combination with the first support surface (210) of the stabilizing structure (200) is configured to stabilize the position of the curved surface of the optically relevant area (131) of the common light output surface (130) of the primary optics (100) when the cover element (400) is attached to the holder (300).