Temperature control module and headlight

A headlight comprising:

• a self-enclosed internal volume;
• a transparent cover plate;
• illuminating means;
• means for mechanical or electric control of the illuminating means;
• and
• a temperature control module comprising
• a separation element with a closed middle section having a first side and a second side, and heat-conducting elements on the first and second sides of the closed middle section;
• an integrated twin fan configured to convey ambient air from the first side of the middle section and to convey ambient air from the second side of the middle section to the separation element,
• wherein the closed middle section has a Peltier element or the closed middle section is the Peltier element,
• wherein the closed middle section forms a part of a boundary of the internal volume so that the heat-conducting elements of the first side of the closed middle section extend into the internal volume and the heat-conducting elements of the second side of the closed middle section extend into surroundings of the headlight;
• and
• a collection volume, configured to collect condensate, arranged on one of the first and second sides,
• wherein the collection volume is arranged in the internal volume and is connected via a duct element to a sump volume for the condensate to discharge the condensate.

A method of operating a temperature control module in a headlight, wherein the headlight comprises a self-enclosed internal volume, a transparent cover plate, illuminating means, and means for mechanical or electric control of the illuminating means, wherein the temperature control module comprises a separation element with a closed middle section having a first side and a second side, and heat-conducting elements on the first and second sides of the closed middle section and an integrated twin fan configured to convey ambient air from the first side of the middle section and to convey ambient air from the second side of the middle section to the separation element, wherein the closed middle section has a Peltier element or the closed middle section is the Peltier element, wherein the closed middle section forms a part of a boundary of the internal volume so that the heat-conducting elements of the first side of the closed middle section extend into the internal volume and the heat-conducting elements of the second side of the closed middle section extend into surroundings of the headlight, wherein the temperature control module further comprises, a collection volume, configured to collect condensate, arranged on one of the first and second sides, the method comprising:

• applying electricity to the Peltier element so that the Peltier element has a first electric polarity so that the Peltier element cools the first side and discharges heat to the second side to cool the internal volume and collect the condensate in the collection volume;
• and
• applying electricity to the Peltier element so that the Peltier element has a reverse electric polarity so that the Peltier element heats the first side to remove fog or ice from the transparent cover plate.