Motorcycle Headlight Roll Compensation via Rack Gear Actuator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motorcycle headlights face poor illumination of the road edge when the motorcycle is in an inclined position due to tilted light distribution, and existing solutions require additional installation space or smaller optics for roll angle compensation.

Innovation Solution

A motorcycle headlight with a pivotable light distribution mechanism using an electromechanical actuator and a toothed rack engaging with a gear wheel segment, allowing the lighting unit to rotate and compensate for roll angles, combined with a tiltable support frame for pitch angle compensation, enabling automatic angle adjustments during motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an additional mirror is installed to pivot the light distribution for roll angle compensation, then the light distribution can be compensated for inclination, but the installation space requirement increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution compensationVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pivotable lighting unit with the reflector into a single integrated assembly. The lighting unit is rotatably mounted within the reflector structure, eliminating the need for separate compensation mirrors and reducing overall installation space while maintaining roll angle compensation capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting unit serves multiple functions: it provides illumination and simultaneously performs roll angle compensation through its rotatable mounting. The single rotatable lighting unit replaces what would traditionally require separate compensation mechanisms, achieving multi-functionality with a single component

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

2Reliability

If a linkage arrangement rotates a projection module for roll angle compensation, then the light distribution pivots correctly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroll angle compensationVSAvoidlinkage arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the compensation function from a complex linkage arrangement and implements it directly through the rotatable mounting of the lighting unit itself. The lighting unit rotates on a single axis within the reflector, eliminating the need for additional linkage components and reducing device complexity while maintaining compensation functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Area of stationary object

If the lighting unit is made compact for better integration, then the installation space is reduced, but the illumination intensity may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadlight sizeVSAvoidlight distribution brightness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs modern LED or laser diode lighting means that provide high illumination intensity in a compact form factor. These dynamic, energy-efficient light sources maintain bright illumination while allowing the overall headlight assembly to remain compact and well-integrated

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses advanced lighting technologies (LEDs or laser diodes) that change the parameters of light generation to achieve high intensity in a compact size. These lighting means provide superior luminous efficiency compared to traditional bulbs, maintaining illumination intensity while reducing physical dimensions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 provides effective roll and pitch angle compensation with a compact design, maintaining consistent illumination and allowing for energy-efficient high brightness light distribution using LEDs and laser diodes, while minimizing additional installation space.

Implementation Method 1

The electromechanical actuator comprises a toothed rack which can be displaced by activating the actuator, the toothed rack engaging in a toothed wheel segment of the lighting unit so that the displacement of the toothed rack causes the lighting unit to rotate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGear mechanism: Gear

Implementation Method 2

the lighting unit is rotatably mounted in the support frame by means of a bearing, preferably a ball and/or roller bearing. This allows the lighting unit to be rotated in the support frame with little frictional resistance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectBall bearing: Ball Bearing

Implementation Method 3

the lighting unit has a heat sink, on which the lighting means is arranged in order to be cooled by the heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat sink: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP3880548B1Headlight for a motorcycle
Publication Date: 2022.11.23 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP3880548B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3880548B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3880548B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a headlight for a motorcycle, comprising a lighting unit (2) with a lamp (10) and an optical device (7) in order to generate, by means of the optical device (7), a predetermined distribution of light in front of the motorcycle from the light of the lamp (10). The lighting unit (2) is fastened to a supporting frame (3) and is rotatable relative to the supporting frame (3) in such a manner that rotation of the lighting unit (2) causes the predetermined distribution of light to be pivoted in a plane which runs substantially perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the motorcycle. Furthermore, the headlight has an electromechanical actuator (14) in order to bring about the rotation of the lighting unit (2) for pivoting the predetermined distribution of light. The headlight according to the invention is distinguished in that the electromechanical actuator (14) comprises a rack (15) which is displaceable by activation of the actuator (14), wherein the rack (15) engages in a gearwheel segment (17) of the lighting unit (2) such that the displacement of the rack (14) brings about the rotation of the lighting unit (2) for pivoting the predetermined distribution of light.