Movable Headlamp Support for Tolerance Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing front-end modules for vehicles face challenges in assembling headlight carriers on energy absorption elements due to manufacturing tolerances, requiring additional tolerance compensation and potentially weakening the energy absorption element, which can deteriorate its crash behavior.

Innovation Solution

A support element is guided within a receiving structure on the energy absorption element, allowing for linear movement during assembly to compensate for tolerances without additional mechanical work or weakening the element, and remains movable post-assembly to prevent stress and enhance crash behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the headlight carrier is rigidly fastened to the energy absorption element, then assembly precision is improved, but the energy absorption element is weakened and crash behavior deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidenergy absorption capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed to be movable within the receiving structure during assembly, allowing dynamic adjustment to compensate for manufacturing tolerances. After assembly, the support element remains movable to allow the energy absorption element to deform freely during impact, preventing rigid constraints that would weaken crash behavior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The support element acts as an intermediary between the headlight carrier and the energy absorption element. It provides a form-fitting connection that enables tolerance compensation without requiring additional tolerance compensation elements, while maintaining the structural integrity and energy absorption capability of the energy absorption element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the headlight carrier is positioned far from the assembly support, then ease of assembly is improved, but stability deteriorates due to unfavorable leverage and vibrations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of assemblyVSAvoidvibration resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting system is segmented into multiple functional components: the assembly support, the energy absorption element with receiving structure, and the movable support element. This segmentation allows the headlight carrier to be positioned optimally for assembly while the support element provides stability and vibration resistance through its form-fitting connection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Manufacturing precision

If additional tolerance compensation elements are added, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetolerance compensationVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides a form-fitting connection to the headlight carrier, enables tolerance compensation through its movability within the receiving structure, and maintains the energy absorption capability of the energy absorption element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate additional tolerance compensation elements, reducing device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2266865B1Front end module with an assembly support structure on which a headlamp is mounted thanks to a supporting element
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 HBPO GMBH
  • EP2266865B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2266865B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2266865B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Front end module comprises a headlamp support (30) arranged on an energy absorbing element (21) via a support element (40). The energy absorbing element has a holding structure (22) in which is guided the support element. Preferred Features: The headlamp support is movably fixed to the energy absorbing element in one direction. The connected between the support element and the energy absorbing element has no holes.