Multi-Function LED Headlight Module with Shared Thermal Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle headlight modules lack compactness and versatility, with multiple lighting units requiring separate heat sinks and current regulators, leading to increased size, weight, and cost.

Innovation Solution

A compact motor vehicle headlight module design featuring multiple lighting units integrated onto a single heat sink with shared current-stabilizing electronics, where each unit has a primary optics system for specific emission characteristics, and a common secondary optics for beam projection, allowing for various light functions like low and high beams.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lighting units are used for different lighting functions, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting function versatilityVSAvoidmodule structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple lighting units with different lighting functions (high beam, low beam, cornering lights, daytime running lights) into a single headlight module. This merging approach allows different lighting functions to be integrated in one compact unit, reducing the need for separate lighting assemblies and simplifying the overall vehicle lighting system while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The headlight module is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can perform multiple lighting functions simultaneously or independently. The module includes different types of light sources (LEDs, laser diodes, discharge lamps) that can be activated based on driving conditions, making the single module capable of replacing multiple traditional lighting components.

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

2Temperature

If each lighting unit has separate heat sink, then heat dissipation efficiency is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat dissipation efficiencyVSAvoidmodule weight
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates multiple lighting units onto a common heat sink structure. This shared heat sink design allows thermal management for all light sources (LEDs, laser diodes, discharge lamps) through a single thermal pathway, reducing the total weight compared to having separate heat sinks for each lighting unit while maintaining effective heat dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If each lighting unit has separate current regulator, then current control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecurrent control precisionVSAvoidelectronics complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a common current regulator circuit to control multiple lighting units within the module. This shared electronic control system reduces the complexity of having separate regulators for each light source while maintaining precise current control through centralized management of electrical parameters for all LEDs, laser diodes, and discharge lamps.

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 design achieves a compact, versatile, and cost-effective headlight module by integrating multiple lighting units on a single heat sink with shared electronics, enabling efficient heat dissipation and precise adjustment, suitable for replacing conventional filament lamps with improved light distribution.

Implementation Method 1

Heat generated during operation of the light sources of the lighting units is absorbed by the heat sink and released to the environment

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Heat Sink

Data Source

PatentEP1934517B1Multi-functional motor vehicle headlight module, in particular for the front region of a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2014.09.10 OSRAM GMBH
  • EP1934517B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP1934517B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1934517B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A motor vehicle headlight module having at least two lighting units (1) is specified. Here, each lighting unit (1) comprises at least one light-emitting diode chip (2). Different lighting units (1) are provided here for different lighting functions. Furthermore, the motor vehicle headlight module has a common heat sink (6) for the lighting units, to which heat sink the lighting units are thermally connected, and a common current-stabilizing electronic system (8) for supplying voltage to the lighting units.