LED Light Module Shutter Redirects Wasted Light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing LED light modules for motor vehicles suffer from inefficiency due to light emission characteristics of LEDs, where a significant amount of light is lost as it exits directly or is not usefully utilized by the reflector, leading to reduced illumination efficiency and potential stray light issues.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating an aperture in the beam path after the LED light source, designed to be reflective and adjustable, which redirects unused light from the LEDs into the reflector, ensuring it contributes to the basic light distribution, thereby enhancing illumination efficiency and compliance with legal light boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the LED light source is positioned in the focal point of the reflector with 0° emission direction normal to the optical axis, then the basic light distribution is formed, but a significant amount of light is lost as it exits directly or is not usefully utilized by the reflector
Solution Approach 1:
A screen is introduced as an intermediary element in the beam path between the LED light source and the reflector. The screen is designed to be reflective and redirects unused light from the LED into the reflector, ensuring it contributes to the basic light distribution. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by capturing light that would otherwise be lost and redirecting it usefully.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention recovers light that would otherwise be discarded or lost. The screen is specifically designed to redirect unused light from the LED beam into the reflector area, recovering light that would exit directly or be radiated into areas above the legally permitted light-dark boundary. This recovery process directly addresses the light loss problem while improving illumination efficiency.
2Ease of operation
If the LED light source emits light in the direction of the light exit direction, then the light can exit the module directly, but this light cannot be used via the reflector to generate the shielded light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The screen acts as an intermediary that intercepts light traveling in the light exit direction before it can cause harmful effects. By positioning the screen in the beam path and designing it to be reflective, the screen redirects this light into the reflector, converting potentially harmful stray light into useful illumination that contributes to the basic light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts what would be harmful stray light into beneficial illumination. Light that would otherwise exit directly or be radiated into areas above the legally permitted boundary is reflected by the screen into the reflector, where it is redirected to illuminate areas below the basic light distribution or into areas of the basic light distribution, turning a harmful factor into a benefit.
3Productivity
If a screen is introduced to redirect unused light, then light yield is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The screen is designed with specific local properties: it is reflective over its entire surface on the side facing the LED light source, and it extends over the entire width of the reflector. These localized quality specifications ensure optimal light redirection while keeping the design straightforward and manufacturable, balancing improved light yield with controlled complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The screen serves multiple functions simultaneously: it redirects unused light from the LED into the reflector, it prevents stray light from escaping, and it contributes to the overall light distribution. This multi-functionality improves light yield without requiring additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.
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
The solution improves the illumination efficiency of the LED light module by utilizing previously wasted light, resulting in a more effective and compliant light distribution, allowing for either a stronger LED light source or a legally compliant light distribution with a weaker source, while minimizing stray light and optimizing light yield.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one screen 4 is arranged in the beam path of light 10, 11 emitted by the at least one LED light source 3 and is designed to reflect light on its side 4' facing the LED light source 3
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an LED light module (1) for a motor vehicle or for a head light for a motor vehicle, wherein the LED light module (1) has at least one LED light source (3) which comprises at least one light-emitting diode, and wherein the light (10, 11) which is emitted by the at least one LED light source (3) is emitted via at least one reflector (2) into a region located in front of a motor vehicle, wherein the light (10′, 11′) which is emitted via the reflector (2) forms a defined basic light distribution (30′), wherein according to the invention at least one shutter (4) is provided after the at least one LED light source (3) in the light exit direction, which at least one shutter (4) is located in the beam path of at least part of the light (20) which is emitted in the light exit direction by the at least one LED light source (3), and wherein the at least one shutter (4) is designed to reflect light at least in certain areas on its side (4′) facing the at least one LED light source (3), and wherein the at least one shutter (4) is arranged with respect to the at least one reflector (2) and the at least one LED light source (3) in such a way that light (20′, 21′) which is emitted by the at least one LED light source (3) and is reflected at the least one shutter (4) is reflected onto the at least one reflector (2) and is emitted from there into the external space, wherein the light beams (20″, 21″) which are emitted by the at least one reflector (2) form an additional light distribution (31′) which is located at least partially underneath the defined basic light distribution (30′) in the light pattern, or in one or more regions of the basic light distribution, preferably in a lower region of the defined basic light distribution (30′).