LED Headlight Matrix Topology for Independent Control With One Driver
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED headlight designs with parallel driver circuits for each LED function are cost-ineffective and inefficient, leading to excessive power conversion to heat rather than light.
Innovation Solution
A series-shunt LED topology where groups of LEDs are connected in series to a single LED driver, with shunts allowing independent control of each LED function to adjust brightness without affecting others, and utilizing time multiplexing to share a single driver among multiple functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If individual LED driver circuits are used for each LED function in parallel, then each LED can be independently controlled, but the system becomes costly and inefficient with excessive power conversion to heat
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED strings are connected in series to share a single LED driver circuit. The driver outputs a series string voltage that is distributed across multiple series-connected LED strings, allowing one driver to control multiple LED functions simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of drivers needed and improving power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A single LED driver circuit is designed to universally control multiple different LED functions (such as low beam, high beam, daytime running lights) by connecting LED strings in series and using a multiplexer to selectively activate different combinations of LEDs based on the desired function
2Ease of operation
If individual LED driver circuits are used for each LED function, then each LED can be independently controlled, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED strings are connected in series to share a single LED driver circuit. The driver outputs a series string voltage that is distributed across multiple series-connected LED strings, allowing one driver to control multiple LED functions simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of drivers needed and improving power efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
A multiplexer is introduced as an intermediary component between the single LED driver and multiple LED strings. The multiplexer selectively connects the driver output to different LED string combinations based on the desired function, enabling independent control of multiple LED functions through a single driver interface
3Ease of operation
If more LED driver circuits are used, then better LED control is achieved, but the headlight assembly becomes larger and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple LED strings are connected in series to share a single LED driver circuit. The driver outputs a series string voltage that is distributed across multiple series-connected LED strings, allowing one driver to control multiple LED functions simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of drivers needed and improving power efficiency
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 reduces the number of LED drivers needed, decreases power consumption, and increases electrical efficiency, allowing for smaller, lighter, and less expensive headlight designs while maintaining advanced features like bend lighting.
Implementation Method 1
Some vehicles use headlight designs composed of light emitting diodes (LEDs)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure includes methods and systems for creating, using, and controlling LED headlight topologies and matrices that require fewer parts, electricity, and power, while allowing for advanced features such as bend lighting. The disclosed methods and systems can enable the use of smaller electrical systems, including control systems for LED and other headlight topologies. The disclosed methods and systems can also take advantage of pixel pairing and time multiplexing, among other methods, to manage electrical flow to minimize power needed over the circuit at given times, thus reducing the amount of material needed to create the LED headlight topology and related methods and systems for creating, using, and controlling the LED headlight topology.