LED Headlamp Module Switching for Compact Thermal Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems for vehicles, particularly automotive headlamps, face challenges in achieving compact designs while providing efficient heat dissipation and multiple lighting functions, such as low and high beam patterns, using LED elements.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with a common heat sink for two LED elements, where one LED operates at high power while the other is off for low beam, and vice versa for high beam, using a driver to selectively supply power and control the LEDs' states, allowing for efficient use of LEDs in both modes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If multiple LED elements are mounted on a common heat sink to achieve compact design, then the device complexity is reduced and compactness is improved, but the thermal load on the heat sink increases making heat dissipation more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic operation modes where LED elements are selectively activated or deactivated based on lighting requirements. The driver circuit dynamically switches between different LED elements, ensuring that not all LEDs operate simultaneously at full power, thereby dynamically controlling the thermal load on the shared heat sink while maintaining compact design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of LED elements by adjusting their on/off states and power levels based on lighting mode requirements. This parameter control allows the system to manage thermal load effectively while using a compact common heat sink design.
2Device complexity
If a common heat sink is used for multiple LED elements, then the number of components is reduced, but the heat dissipation efficiency decreases due to increased thermal load
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls which LED elements are active at any given time, preventing maximum simultaneous operation. This dynamic management reduces the cumulative thermal load on the common heat sink, maintaining heat dissipation efficiency while minimizing component count.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit implements periodic switching between different LED elements based on lighting mode requirements. This periodic activation pattern ensures that the thermal load on the common heat sink remains within manageable limits, preserving heat dissipation efficiency.
3Illumination intensity
If LED elements are operated at high power to provide sufficient illumination, then the brightness is improved, but the thermal load increases making heat dissipation more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the lighting function across multiple LED elements, where different LEDs are activated based on the required beam pattern. This segmentation allows high-power operation of individual LEDs when needed for brightness, while the overall thermal load is distributed and managed through selective activation rather than simultaneous full-power operation of all LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver circuit dynamically adjusts which LED elements operate at high power based on the selected lighting mode. This dynamic control ensures sufficient brightness is achieved when needed while managing thermal load by not operating all LEDs at high power simultaneously.
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 approach enables a compact design with effective heat dissipation and the ability to produce different beam patterns, reducing the thermal load on the heat sink and optimizing LED usage, thereby enhancing the system's efficiency and versatility.
Implementation Method 1
a heat dissipation member to dissipate the heat generated by the first and the second semiconductor light emitting device
Implementation Method 2
a first and a second LED element to be mounted on a common heat sink
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system and a method of operating a lighting module are described. The lighting module includes a heat sink a first LED element mounted on the heat sink emits light as a low beam pattern. A second LED element mounted on the heat sink emits light as a high beam pattern. A driver circuit electrically connected to the first and second LED elements to selectively supply electrical power for operation. The driver circuit is disposed to operate in a first and a second mode. In the first mode, to provide a low beam illumination, the first LED element is operated in a high power state while the second LED element is turned off. In the second mode, to provide a high beam illumination, the second LED element is operated in a high power state, while the first LED element is operated in a dimmed state.