Light Module System for Dimmable Floor Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Motor vehicle headlights face challenges in maintaining sufficient contrast and minimum brightness for optically represented information in dimmed light distributions, particularly in edge areas, which can impair the visibility of symbols projected onto the roadway.

Innovation Solution

A light module system comprising a high-resolution second light module that generates a floor projection light distribution, causing the first non-high-resolution light module to dim the entire light distribution while ensuring the minimum brightness is maintained in specific areas by illuminating them when necessary, thereby supporting the dimmable low beam distribution and optimizing energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the first light module dims the entire light distribution to optimize energy consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but the visibility of symbols and information projection may be impaired

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidvisibility of symbols
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by having the first light module dim only to the extent necessary to improve contrast, while the second light module provides supplemental high-resolution illumination in specific areas. This partial action approach optimizes energy consumption by reducing overall illumination while maintaining sufficient visibility through targeted high-resolution lighting where it is most needed for symbol projection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the brightness parameter dynamically by controlling the dimming level of the first light module based on operational conditions. When high-visibility requirements exist, the first module maintains higher brightness; when contrast optimization is prioritized, it dims while the second module compensates in critical areas, thus optimizing energy consumption while maintaining visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If high-resolution illumination is provided in all areas to maintain visibility during dimming, then visibility is maintained, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility during dimmingVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by having the second high-resolution light module illuminate only specific predetermined areas rather than the entire light distribution. This localized high-resolution illumination maintains visibility in critical areas during dimming while avoiding the energy consumption that would result from illuminating all areas with high resolution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies partial action by activating the second light module only in specific areas and only when the first module is dimmed, rather than continuously illuminating all areas. This partial action maintains visibility where needed while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to full-area high-resolution illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3898327B1Light module system and method of controlling the light module system
Publication Date: 2023.07.19 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3898327B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A light module system comprises a first light module and a second light module, wherein the first light module is controllable on the basis of the second light module, wherein the first light module is embodied as a non-high-resolution light module and configured to generate a first type (1, 10) of light distribution in a region in front of the light module system, wherein the first type (1, 10) of light distribution is dimmable, the second light module is embodied as a high-resolution light module, wherein part (4) of the first type of light distribution has assigned a minimum brightness and the second light module is configured to generate at least one floor projection light distribution (3) in one mode of operation, the at least one floor projection light distribution (3) being an optical representation of information, and, in the process, to prompt the first light module to at least partly dim the first type of light distribution, and to illuminate the part (4) of the first type of light distribution.