Intersecting Wire Lighting Device for Flexible Automotive LED Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional automotive lighting devices face challenges in energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and flexibility, particularly in providing high-brightness displays that can conform to various shapes and require individual addressing of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) without the limitations of flat arrays and high electrical connection complexity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device comprising intersecting wires with bent sections to maintain electrical contact while allowing deformation, enabling individual addressing of LEDs and conforming to complex shapes, using a method that includes arranging light-emitting elements at intersection regions of wires with predefined minimum distances to prevent contact and ensure flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If LEDs are arranged in an array on a common substrate with individual electrical connections, then high brightness and energy efficiency are achieved, but the device shape is limited to substantially flat and electrical connection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple wires (first wire, second wire, third wire) are merged into a single integrated wire structure that provides both mechanical support and multiple electrical connections. The wire contains multiple conductive cores that are individually addressable, eliminating the need for separate connection paths to each LED while maintaining individual control capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The single wire structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the LED array, delivers electrical power to multiple LEDs through its multiple cores, and enables individual addressing of each LED. This multi-functional design replaces the traditional separate substrate and connection structure.
2Ease of operation
If LEDs are arranged on a common substrate, then individual addressing is enabled, but the lighting device is limited to flat shapes and cannot conform to complex surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The wire structure is inherently flexible and can be bent or shaped to conform to complex surfaces while maintaining its structural integrity and electrical functionality. This replaces the rigid flat substrate with a flexible wire-based support structure that enables three-dimensional LED arrangements.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire is segmented into multiple independent cores, each capable of carrying electrical signals to different LEDs. This segmentation within the unified wire structure enables individual LED addressing while maintaining the flexibility of the overall wire form factor.
3Speed
If conventional LCD displays are used, then high response time and contrast are achieved, but energy efficiency is limited due to internal light absorption and manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the passive LCD display system (which requires backlight and liquid crystal modulation) with active LED light sources that directly emit light. This substitution eliminates the need for backlight units and liquid crystal layers, dramatically improving energy efficiency while maintaining or enhancing response time and contrast performance.
4Ease of manufacture
If OLED displays are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but luminance decay occurs rapidly when operated at high brightness required for automotive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses individual LED components that can be economically manufactured and replaced if needed. Each LED is mounted on the wire structure and can be individually addressed, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing while achieving the high brightness and longevity required for automotive applications.
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, flexible, and energy-efficient lighting device capable of conforming to different shapes, allowing for individual LED activation and maintaining electrical contact during deformation, enhancing visibility and adaptability in automotive applications.
Implementation Method 1
Displays using light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may provide high energy efficiency and brightness
Implementation Method 2
a light-emitting element (e.g. a light-emitting diode (LED))
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
The invention refers to a lighting device based on at least one light-emitting element arranged on wires. The object to provide a lighting device that is simple and cost-effective to produce and that is in particular conformable to different shapes and may provide for various arrangements of light-emitting elements is solved in that the lighting device (20) comprises: a first wire (2) having a first longitudinal axis (4), a second wire (6) having a second longitudinal axis (8), a light-emitting element (22) being in electrical contact to the first wire (2) and to the second wire (6), wherein the first wire (2) and the second wire (6) intersect within an intersection region (10), wherein the first wire (2) comprises a bent section (12) arranged in the intersection region (10), such that a predefined minimum distance (14) is provided between the first wire (2) and the second wire (6) in the intersection region (10). The invention further relates to a method for producing a lighting device (20) and a use of a lighting device (20).