Motor Vehicle Headlamp Light Mixing and Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional motor vehicle lighting devices, such as headlamps, create a deceptive multi-colored light impression, which can be misleading, especially for red light components, and lack efficient data transmission capabilities without additional emitters.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device that combines light from multiple sources, such as red, green, and blue LEDs or lasers using a fiber coupler to produce white light, integrated with a modulator and encoder for data transmission, allowing for simultaneous illumination and communication without additional emitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple light sources of different colors are used for data transmission, then data transmission capability is improved, but the light perception becomes multi-colored and deceptive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple colored light sources (red, green, blue LEDs or lasers) into a single illumination device that produces white light through superimposition. The light from individual colored sources is merged using a fiber coupler or direct spatial overlap, allowing simultaneous data transmission via color modulation while maintaining a unified white light appearance that eliminates the deceptive multi-colored impression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color modulation of individual light sources within the white light spectrum to encode data. By varying the intensity or presence of specific color components (red, green, blue) while maintaining overall white light perception, the system achieves data transmission without creating a visibly multi-colored light source. The human eye perceives white light while the receiver detects color variations for data extraction.
2Extent of automation
If separate driver circuits are provided for each light source, then individual control for data modulation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control system into separate driver circuits, each dedicated to controlling a specific light source (red, green, or blue). This segmentation allows independent modulation of each color component for data transmission while simplifying the overall control architecture. Each driver circuit handles only one light source, making the system easier to manage and debug despite having multiple controlled elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a multiplexer that can route a single data signal to multiple driver circuits, allowing one data input to control multiple light sources simultaneously. This universal interface reduces the number of external control signals needed while maintaining individual control capability over each light source through the multiplexer's switching matrix.
3Volume of moving object
If a fiber coupler is used to mix light, then installation space is reduced, but light loss during mixing may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a fiber coupler as an intermediary device to combine light from multiple sources into a single output path. The fiber coupler efficiently merges the optical paths of individual colored light sources, minimizing coupling losses through precise fiber alignment and mode matching. This intermediary structure enables compact integration while maintaining high light transmission efficiency.
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 provides a cost-effective and secure data transmission system through the lighting device, enabling white light perception and robust data communication with higher data rates and security compared to radio-based methods, while minimizing installation space and interference.
Implementation Method 1
a fiber coupler, which combines the light of at least two light sources during the operation of the lighting device, at least two, preferably three, optical fibers being provided in particular, through each of which the light from the light sources reaches the fiber coupler
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle, in particular a headlamp, comprising at least two, preferably three, light sources, from which light emanates during the operation of the lighting device, the light of each of the light sources differing from that of the other light sources with regard to its wavelength spectrum, comprising modulator, which bring about a modulation of the light emanating from the light sources during the operation of the lighting device, so that information is transmitted by the light, the lighting device having a mixer for mixing the light emanating from the individual light sources, so that white light emerges from the lighting device during the operation of the lighting device.