Vehicle Lamp Double Axis Actuator Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lamps face challenges in independently adjusting irradiation directions in both horizontal and vertical axes without increasing cost or complexity, often requiring dedicated actuators for each axis and limiting general-purpose applicability.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lamp design featuring a single output part that can rotate and tilt the lamp unit in two orthogonal planes, using a double axis actuator with a single drive unit that can operate independently in both modes, allowing for flexible beam direction adjustment without the need for separate actuators for each axis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate actuators are provided for horizontal rotation and vertical tilting, then independent adjustment of irradiation direction in both directions is achieved, but the number of attachment steps, harnesses, space, and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate actuators (one for horizontal rotation and one for vertical tilting) into a single integrated actuator that performs both functions. This merging reduces the number of components, attachment steps, and harnesses while maintaining the capability for independent adjustment in both horizontal and vertical directions through a unified drive mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The single actuator is designed with multi-functionality to perform both horizontal rotation and vertical tilting operations. By making the actuator universal in its capabilities, it eliminates the need for separate dedicated actuators for each axis, thereby reducing device complexity and cost while preserving full operational independence in both directions.
2Manufacturing precision
If dedicated double axis actuators are required for each lamp unit type, then specific lamp configurations are optimized, but general-purpose properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator is designed as a universal component that can be applied to multiple types of lamp units. By creating a standardized interface and mounting mechanism, the same actuator design can serve different lamp configurations without requiring dedicated custom actuators for each type, thereby improving general-purpose properties while maintaining positioning accuracy through precise control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The actuator design separates the functional elements (drive mechanisms for horizontal and vertical movement) from the mounting interface, allowing the core actuator unit to remain standardized while adapting to different lamp unit types through interchangeable mounting components. This segmentation enables broad applicability without compromising the precision of lamp unit positioning.
3Device complexity
If a single drive part acts on different portions of the lamp unit, then the number of actuators is reduced, but the operations in two directions cannot be performed independently
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate drive functions into a single actuator unit that contains both a horizontal rotation mechanism and a vertical tilting mechanism. This combined actuator independently controls both degrees of freedom through separate internal mechanisms, reducing the total number of actuators while preserving the ability to perform horizontal and vertical operations independently without interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lamp 10 is provided with a lamp unit 30 which applies beams of the desired patterns ahead, and a double axis actuator 50 having a first drive mode in which the lamp unit is rotated in one of two planes that are orthogonal to each other and a second drive mode in which the lamp unit is rotated in the other of the two planes. The double axis actuator is provided with a single output part 540 which rotates the lamp unit in the two planes, and a drive part (including a drive source 550 and a movable part 561) which drives the output part. The double axis actuator can rotate the lamp unit in the each plane regardless of the rotational positions along the above two planes.