LED Headlight Light Exit Surface Grid for Dual Distribution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Vehicle headlamps with LED light modules struggle to maintain a consistent optical appearance between main and additional light functions, such as daytime running lights, due to differences in light module activation, leading to a loss of brand recognition and aesthetic uniformity.

Innovation Solution

The arrangement of LED light exit surfaces in a grid pattern within rows and columns, allowing for the same optical appearance during both main and additional light functions, eliminates the need for additional optics and enables efficient thermal management through passive cooling, while ensuring optimal luminous flux and light distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If different light modules are switched on for additional light function, then additional light function is achieved, but the characteristic appearance of the headlight is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadditional light functionVSAvoidcharacteristic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The same LED light modules serve dual purposes: they generate both the main light distribution (low beam) and the additional light distribution (daytime running light). By arranging light exit surfaces in both at least one line (for main light) and over a defined vertical area (for additional light), the patent enables a single module configuration to fulfill multiple lighting functions while maintaining consistent optical appearance.

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

2Illumination intensity

If light exit surfaces are arranged in at least one line, then high maximum in luminous flux is achieved, but vertical area extension for additional light distribution is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaximum in luminous fluxVSAvoidvertical area extension
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges two arrangement configurations into a unified grid structure: light exit surfaces are positioned in at least one horizontal line (to achieve high luminous flux maximum) and simultaneously distributed over a defined vertical area (to enable additional light distribution). This combined arrangement allows both main and additional light functions to be generated by the same modules without requiring separate optical systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If additional optics are added to achieve proper light distribution, then light distribution quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution qualityVSAvoidoptics arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the need for additional intermediate optics by directly arranging the light exit surfaces of LED light sources in a grid pattern. The light exit surfaces themselves are positioned to generate both main and additional light distributions, removing the requirement for separate optical elements that would otherwise be needed to shape and distribute the light from conventional LED arrangements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 maintains a consistent headlamp appearance across functions, enhances light distribution uniformity, and simplifies thermal management, ensuring high recognition value and compliance with legal lighting requirements.

Implementation Method 1

Vehicle headlight having LED light modules for generating a main light distribution and an additional light distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode (LED): Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

The lenses distribute/scatter the light across the board so that the individual light images from the individual light sources are superimposed horizontally in the line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight refraction and scattering: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2715216B1Vehicle headlight having LED light modules for generating a main light distribution and an additional light distribution
Publication Date: 2015.06.03 ZIZALA LICHTSYST
  • EP2715216B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2715216B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2715216B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a vehicle headlight (1) for generating a main light distribution and an additional light distribution, wherein the vehicle headlight (1) comprises two or more LED light modules (10, 11), wherein each LED light module (10, 11) comprises a number of LED light sources (a1, a2, a3, b1, c1 - c6; a1', a2', a3', b1', c1' - c6'), wherein each LED light source (a1, a2, a3, b1, c1 - c6; a1', a2', a3', b1', c1' - c6') has a rectangular or square light exit face (A1, A2, A3, B1, C1 - C6; A1', A2', A3', B1', C1' - C6'), and wherein the light exit faces (A1, A2, A3, B1, C1 - C6; A1', A2', A3', B1', C1' - C6') lie in a common face and wherein the side edges of the light exit faces (A1, A2, A3, B1, C1 - C6, A1', A2', A3', B1', C1' - C6') are oriented parallel to one another, and wherein the LED light sources (a1, a2, a3, b1, c1 - c6; a1', a2', a3', b1', c1' - c6') are arranged in horizontal (B1, C1 - C6; B1', C1' - C6') of the LED light sources (b1, c1 - c6; b1', c1' - c6')are arranged in a plurality of directly adjacent rows (Z1 - Z7) in order to generate the additional light distribution, wherein in each row one or more light exit faces (B1, C1 - C6; B1', C1' - C6') of, in each case, one LED light source (b1, c1 - c6; b1', c1' - c6') for generating the additional light distribution are arranged, and wherein the light exit faces (B1, C1 - C6; B1', C1' - C6') of the LED light sources (b1, c1 - c6; b1', c1' - c6') for generating the additional light distribution are distributed over at least one, preferably over two or more columns (S1, S4, S5, S6), and wherein the light exit faces (A1, A2, A3, B1; A1', A2', A3', B1') of LED light sources (a1, a2, a3, b1; a1', a2', a3', b1') for generating the main light distribution are arranged in at least one row (Z2), wherein at least one, preferably two or more light exit faces (A1, A2, A3, B1; A1', A2', A3', B1') of LED light sources (a1, a2, a3, b1; a1', a2', a3', b1') for generating the main light distribution are arranged in at least one of these rows (Z2), and wherein each LED light module (10, 11) comprises a lens (13, 14), and wherein the light emitted by the LED light sources of an LED module (10, 11) is irradiated directly onto the lens (13) and is projected thereby into the external space, wherein the light emitted by the LED light sources of the LED modules (10, 11) forms the main light distribution or the additional light distribution.