Vehicle Headlight Layout With Shared Low Beam and DRL Surface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle headlights have a low recognition value due to a distinct appearance at night and during the day, as the low beam and daytime running light areas are not cohesive, leading to a disjointed visual impact.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle headlight design where the low beam and daytime running light distributions share a common lighting area, utilizing semiconductor emitters that contribute to either or both distributions, ensuring an essentially identical appearance at night and during the day, with a focus on identical luminous surfaces and reduced component costs through dual-use semiconductor emitters and optical elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate LED arrays are used for low beam and daytime running light, then functional requirements are met, but recognition value is reduced due to different appearances at night and during the day

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverecognition valueVSAvoidcomponent structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling semiconductor emitters to serve dual purposes: they contribute to both low beam distribution and daytime running light distribution. The control unit activates different subsets of these universal emitters depending on the operating mode, allowing a single emitter array to fulfill multiple lighting functions while maintaining consistent geometric appearance across different operating conditions.

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

2Reliability

If dedicated semiconductor emitters are provided for each distribution type, then lighting performance is optimized, but component costs, weight, and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting performanceVSAvoidheadlight weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reduces weight by eliminating redundant dedicated emitter arrays. Instead of having separate emitter sets for low beam and daytime running light, a single set of semiconductor emitters is designed to serve both functions. The control unit manages which emitters are active in each mode, achieving reliable lighting performance with reduced mass.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges previously separate emitter arrays into a unified semiconductor emitter system. By combining the low beam emitters and daytime running light emitters into a single integrated array, the total component count and weight are reduced while maintaining the ability to produce distinct lighting distributions through selective activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If dedicated semiconductor emitters are provided for each distribution type, then lighting performance is optimized, but component costs and installation space increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting performanceVSAvoidcomponent quantity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention reduces component quantity by designing semiconductor emitters with multi-functionality. A single emitter can contribute to both low beam and daytime running light distributions, eliminating the need for separate dedicated emitter arrays. The control unit manages the universal emitters to achieve reliable lighting performance in both modes with fewer total components.

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

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate LED arrays are used for low beam and daytime running light, then functional requirements are met, but installation space increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidheadlight volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent reduces installation space by implementing universal semiconductor emitters that fulfill multiple lighting functions. Instead of allocating separate spatial zones for low beam emitters and daytime running light emitters, a compact unified emitter array is used. The control unit activates different emitter subsets to achieve both lighting modes within a reduced volume.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The invention merges separate emitter systems into a single integrated array, consolidating the spatial requirements. By combining low beam and daytime running light emitters into one unified structure, the overall headlight assembly volume is reduced while maintaining full lighting functionality through intelligent emitter management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

Enhances the recognition value of the vehicle headlight by maintaining a consistent appearance under different lighting conditions, reducing component costs, weight, and installation space while ensuring a homogeneous and striking luminous surface geometry.

Implementation Method 1

A plurality of semiconductor emitters, in particular light-emitting diodes or light-emitting diode groups, for the alternative generation of a low beam distribution and a daytime running light distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2477845B1Vehicle headlight
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG
  • EP2477845B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2477845B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2477845B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle headlight, comprising a plurality of semiconductor emitters (HS), in particular light-emitting diodes (LED) or light-emitting diode groups (1-5), for producing a low beam distribution and a daytime running light distribution in alternation, wherein a low beam luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight to produce the low beam distribution, wherein a daytime running light luminous surface is generated by the vehicle headlight to produce the daytime running light distribution, and wherein the low beam luminous surface and the daytime running light luminous surface are substantially identical.