LED Driver Layout for Overlapping Vehicle Light Functions
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Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation of LED lights in vehicle lights with overlapping lighting functions requires effective LED failure detection and control to ensure reliable operation without microcontroller logic, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and enhancing road safety.
Innovation Solution
A light source with an LED driver arrangement featuring integrated LED failure detection and multiple switchable outputs, including at least five constant current sources, allows for robust operation of overlapping lighting functions by prioritizing current delivery based on diagnostic concepts, eliminating the need for microcontroller logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If LED driver arrangement with integrated LED failure detection and multiple switchable outputs is implemented, then reliability of overlapping lighting functions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting functions by providing separate switchable outputs (first output for first lighting function, second output for second lighting function) that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows reliable operation of overlapping lighting functions while maintaining cost-effectiveness through a standardized LED driver arrangement design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary LED failure detection through the LED driver arrangement before failures affect lighting function reliability. The integrated detection mechanism proactively identifies LED failures and triggers appropriate responses, ensuring reliable operation of overlapping lighting functions without requiring complex microcontroller logic.
2Measurement precision
If microcontroller logic is used for LED failure detection and control, then control precision is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service LED failure detection through the LED driver arrangement that automatically monitors LED status without requiring external microcontroller intervention. The system detects LED failures through built-in detection mechanisms and autonomously triggers appropriate control responses, achieving precise failure detection while maintaining cost-effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces microcontroller-based electronic control logic with a simplified detection and control mechanism integrated into the LED driver arrangement. This substitution eliminates the need for complex software logic while maintaining precise LED failure detection and control through dedicated detection circuits and switchable outputs.
3Reliability
If additional circuitry is added for LED failure detection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges LED failure detection functionality with the existing LED driver arrangement, combining detection circuits and control logic into a single integrated unit. This merging approach improves reliability through comprehensive failure detection while avoiding additional complexity by consolidating functions rather than adding separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The LED driver arrangement is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a power control device for LEDs and as a failure detection system. The switchable outputs and integrated detection mechanisms provide universal functionality that improves reliability without requiring additional dedicated circuitry, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective and reliable method for controlling LEDs in vehicle lights with overlapping lighting functions, ensuring robust operation and increased road safety without additional software or complex circuitry.
Implementation Method 1
a light source with an LED driver arrangement (03) featuring integrated LED failure detection and multiple switchable outputs, including at least five constant current sources
Implementation Method 2
semiconductor light sources, such as inorganic light-emitting diodes or organic light-emitting diodes, are increasingly used as light sources for vehicle lights
Data Source
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AI summary
A light source (01) with several LEDs (02) as light sources for two different lighting functions, with the lighting areas intended for their realization overlapping in a common lighting area (bi-functional lighting area), and a vehicle light equipped with such a light source are described. The light source (01) comprises at least one LED driver arrangement (03) with separate inputs (04) for control signals for requesting the two lighting functions and several switchable outputs (05), each representing a preset constant current source, to which the LEDs (02) or LED strings of several LEDs (02) arranged in series are connected, wherein at least the LEDs (21) of the common lighting area are connected in parallel to several outputs (51, 52, 53).