Vehicle Head Lamp Flip-Dot Unit for Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle head lamps face issues with overheating and moisture accumulation due to reduced airflow in compact designs, and there is a need for effective communication of vehicle state information to oncoming vehicles or pedestrians with low power consumption, especially in autonomous driving scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A head lamp design incorporating a flip-dot unit within the lamp housing, equipped with a sensor unit to measure temperature and humidity, and a control unit to rotate and invert flip disks for airflow management and information display, preventing overheating and moisture while transmitting notice information to oncoming vehicles or pedestrians.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the head lamp is designed with compact size, then the lamp housing size is reduced, but the air flow space is insufficient causing moisture accumulation and condensation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp housing sizeVSAvoidmoisture accumulation and condensation
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flip disk is designed to rotate dynamically between different positions (first position for light emission, second position for air flow) to adapt to different operational needs. This dynamic positioning allows the same component to serve both illumination and ventilation functions, resolving the contradiction between compact size and air flow requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flip disk serves multiple functions: it acts as a light shield during illumination, becomes an air flow channel during ventilation, and can display information. This multi-functionality allows the compact housing to maintain adequate air flow without increasing overall size

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

2Temperature

If the head lamp is exposed to sunlight for a long time, then the lamp housing temperature increases, but the bezel part surface becomes corrupted or deformed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelamp housing temperatureVSAvoidbezel part corrosion and deformation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flip disk rotates to change the orientation of the bezel part relative to the light source and sunlight. By positioning the bezel in different orientations, the system reduces direct thermal exposure and prevents surface corrosion and deformation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flip disk's rotation, which may seem like an additional mechanical function, actually serves as a thermal protection mechanism. The movement creates airflow that cools the bezel part and changes its orientation to reduce solar radiation exposure, converting a potential harm (heat) into a beneficial cooling effect

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If a flip-dot unit is installed in the lamp housing to prevent overheat and moisture, then the lamp housing environment is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverheat and moisture preventionVSAvoidlamp housing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flip disk is designed to perform multiple functions within a single component: it shields light during illumination, creates air flow channels for ventilation, displays information, and protects the bezel from thermal damage. This multi-functionality prevents overheat and moisture without requiring multiple separate mechanisms, thus limiting the increase in device complexity

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

Solution Approach 2:

The flip disk integrates the light shielding function, air flow control function, information display function, and thermal protection function into a single rotating component. This merging of functions reduces the need for separate mechanisms and minimizes overall structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Reliability

If notice information is displayed to oncoming vehicles or pedestrians, then traffic safety is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic safetyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flip disk rotates periodically to display information rather than remaining stationary or continuously active. This periodic rotation allows the system to communicate effectively while minimizing power consumption by keeping the display mechanism inactive between rotations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The flip disk utilizes color changes or contrasting surfaces to convey information. By rotating to different colored surfaces or patterns, the system can transmit notice information effectively without requiring continuous illumination or complex display mechanisms, thus reducing power consumption while maintaining communication effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color 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 effectively manages overheating and moisture, enhances airflow, and communicates vehicle state and driving information to oncoming vehicles or pedestrians, improving traffic safety and preventing accidents.

Implementation Method 1

The housing has an opening formed on one side and a space formed therein, and the flip disk is rotatably installed in the housing to open or close the opening

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

The head lamp of the vehicle uses two light sources to adjust the brightness of light, when illuminating the forward area of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3945242B1Head lamp for vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP3945242B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3945242B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3945242B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A head lamp for a vehicle may include: a lamp housing having a light source installed therein, the light source serving to emit light to a forward area of a vehicle; a bezel installed on the lamp housing, spaced by a predetermined distance apart from the light source, and disposed in a shape to cover the light source; and a plurality of flip-dot units installed in the bezel, each of the flip dot units may include: a housing having an opening formed on one side thereof and a space formed therein; and a flip disk rotatably installed in the housing so as to open or close the opening.