Motor Vehicle LED Driver Single-Wire Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing systems for powering LED light sources in motor vehicle headlamps require numerous connections to convey BIN information and temperature data, leading to increased production costs and design constraints due to the complexity of wiring, which is not efficient for ensuring constant luminosity and safety.

Innovation Solution

A power supply system that uses a single electrically conductive wire to connect a control circuit to an electronic circuit with a resistor representing the BIN value and a thermistor representing the temperature, allowing for the determination of these characteristics through selective injection of electric currents with specific polarities or frequencies, thereby reducing the number of necessary connections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple dedicated connection wires are used to convey BIN information and temperature data, then the control circuit can obtain accurate light source characteristics, but the wiring complexity and production costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source characteristics measurementVSAvoidwiring complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple information transmission functions (BIN data and temperature data) into a single communication bus, eliminating the need for separate dedicated connection wires for each parameter. This merging approach reduces wiring complexity while maintaining the ability to accurately convey all necessary light source characteristics to the control circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication bus is designed to serve multiple functions: transmitting BIN information, temperature data, and potentially other light source parameters. This universal interface replaces multiple specialized connection wires, reducing overall system complexity while preserving measurement precision for all parameters.

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

2Loss of information

If multiple dedicated connection wires are used to convey BIN information and temperature data, then complete light source information can be obtained, but the production costs increase due to increased wiring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight source information completenessVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple information streams (BIN data, temperature readings) into a single communication bus, reducing the quantity of physical wires needed. This directly lowers production costs associated with wiring while ensuring all necessary light source information is transmitted完整地 to the control circuit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If multiple connection cables are used to relay BIN information and temperature data, then accurate control can be achieved, but the design space is restricted due to wiring constraints

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoiddesign space
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple information transmission functions into a single communication bus, the patent reduces the physical space required for wiring. This frees up design space within the headlamp assembly while maintaining the reliability and accuracy of light source control through complete information transmission.

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

This solution reduces the complexity and cost of wiring by allowing the control circuit to retrieve BIN and temperature information via a single wire, enhancing design efficiency and reducing electromagnetic compatibility concerns while maintaining consistent light output across varying conditions.

Implementation Method 1

an indication of the temperature of the LEDs can in known manner be obtained by placing a thermistor element on a printed circuit in physical proximity to the LEDs, the voltage drop at the terminals of which being measurable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermistor: Thermistor

Implementation Method 2

The control means are arranged to determine said characteristics of the first and second component via a single electrically conductive wire connecting the control means to the electronic circuit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Resistance: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3376832B1Device and method for controlling light sources of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3376832B1 patent drawingFigure 1~5
  • EP3376832B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

The invention provides a power supply system for at least one semiconductor light source in a motor vehicle. The system includes means for controlling the power supply to said light source, configured to supply an electric current to said light source, the intensity of the supplied electric current being a function of a binary input (BIN) value of the source and the temperature of the source's environment. The system also includes an electronic circuit independent of said light source, comprising a first component whose measurable characteristic is representative of said BIN value of the source, and a second component whose measurable characteristic is a function of the temperature of the light source's environment.The invention is remarkable in that the control means are arranged to determine the said characteristics of the first and second component via a single electrically conductive wire linking the control means to the electronic circuit, and adapted to supply the latter with electric current.