For the new Great Wall Tank 700, Mind devised a unique headlamp design. Drawing inspiration from the shape of Mount Bromo—a volcano in Indonesia—Mind developed a spiral headlamp motion technique, resulting in the ‘Mount Bromo Eye’ headlamp. It is the world’s first combined headlamp that features an illuminated 3D spiral motion mechanism and a dynamic hidden illumination module scheme. The motion mechanism provides a special effect which, when combined with a high-performance illumination module, adds ‘mystery sensation’ and scientific and technological elements to the vehicle’s headlamps.
The design of the headlamp is quite fascinating. It features a motion mechanism that sits in front of the illumination module. The decorative blades of the motion mechanism remain closed when the vehicle is locked, giving the impression of a sleeping Mount Bromo. When the vehicle is unlocked, the blades ‘wake up’—they gradually open in a spiral manner, like the iris of a camera lens, revealing the hidden illumination module. This motion mechanism headlamp has over 30 patents’ worth of innovation in it.
There are four scenarios:
- When the vehicle is motionless, the blades are closed, shielding the main lights behind.
- When the vehicle is unlocked, the blades light up and engage in the welcoming function of ambient lights of the entire headlamp.
- After the welcome scenario, a motor drives the blades to rotate and open, revealing the main light.
- When the vehicle is locked, the blades rotate and close, hiding the main function lens and engaging in the welcoming function by lighting up ambient lights.
During the whole process from lighting to extinguishing, those luminous rotating blades can be seen opening or closing. The headlamp can also meet a wide array of illumination needs, such as driving in town, driving off road, bad weather conditions, and driving at high speed. The motion mechanism—the innovative mechanical-movement elements—improve the scientific and technological impression of the headlamps and add elegance and sophistication. Mind say the motion mechanism has paved the way for a more diverse range of headlamp designs, providing creators with a wider range of options and new avenues for experimentation, enabling designers to create headlamps that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly functional.
The motion mechanism has customizable options, too. Blade count to OEM desire at the development phase, and the hollowed-out illuminating zone for decorative blades may also be customized with different patterns. Other lights paired with the entire lamp can mimic other scenes, such as a robot which gradually opens its eyes or a cartoon figure flashing its eyes.
Paul-Henri MATHA comments: really interesting concept with mechanical solution including mechatronics, stepper motors, gears. Nice engineering design!