Vehicle Lamp Beam Control for Swiveling Hot Zone Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-definition light source arrays in vehicle lamps are expensive and inefficient at dissipating heat, and swiveling the hot zone to improve visibility during turns increases the size of the array, which is undesirable.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle lamp system with a first and second light distribution variable lamp, controlled by a light distribution controlling device, swivels the first hot zone within the first light distribution pattern and forms the second light distribution pattern outside the first, using a high-definition and low-definition light source array respectively, to enhance visibility without increasing the array's size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If multiple types of lamps (headlamp, fog lamp, clearance lamp, direction indicator, brake light) are disposed in a layered structure, then the vehicle width can be reduced, but the assembly complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle widthVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lamp assembly is divided into multiple independent lamp units (headlamp unit, fog lamp unit, clearance lamp unit, direction indicator unit, brake light unit), each with its own housing and optical system. This segmentation allows each lamp type to be manufactured and adjusted independently, reducing overall assembly complexity while achieving compact layered integration that reduces vehicle width.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional horizontal arrangement of lamps to a vertical layered structure. By stacking lamp units in the vertical dimension (headlamp at top, followed by fog lamp, clearance lamp, direction indicator, and brake light at bottom), the design reduces vehicle width while maintaining all necessary lighting functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If the headlamp is disposed above the fog lamp with specific vertical spacing, then light distribution and glare control are improved, but the overall assembly height increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution qualityVSAvoidassembly height
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the vertical spacing between headlamp and fog lamp as a critical parameter. By carefully controlling the distance between these lamp units, the design achieves optimal light distribution and prevents excessive glare while minimizing the vertical space occupied, thus balancing illumination quality with compact assembly height.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If individual adjustment mechanisms are provided for each lamp unit, then lighting performance and adaptability are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting adaptabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements individual adjustment mechanisms for each lamp unit (headlamp, fog lamp, clearance lamp, direction indicator, brake light) that can be independently controlled. This universal adjustment capability allows each lamp type to be optimized for specific driving conditions while using similar mechanical adjustment principles, achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates adjustment mechanisms that allow independent positioning of each lamp unit to achieve optimal light distribution. By providing feedback control for each lamp type, the system can adapt lighting patterns to different driving conditions (daytime, nighttime, fog, rain) while maintaining manageable complexity through modular adjustment designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP4497633B1Vehicular lamp system, light distribution control device, and light distribution control method
Publication Date: 2026.04.29 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP4497633B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4497633B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4497633B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A vehicle lamp system (1) includes a first light distribution variable lamp (4) that forms a first light distribution pattern (PV1) having a first hot zone (HZ1), a second light distribution variable lamp (6) that forms a second light distribution pattern (PV2) outside the first light distribution pattern (PV1) in a width direction of a vehicle, and a light distribution controlling device (8) that controls the first light distribution variable lamp (4) and the second light distribution variable lamp (6). The light distribution controlling device (8) controls the first light distribution variable lamp (4) and the second light distribution variable lamp (6) so as to swivel the first hot zone (HZ1) within the first light distribution pattern (PV1) and to form the second light distribution pattern (PV2) outside the first light distribution pattern (PV1) where the first hot zone (HZ1) swivels to.