Motor Vehicle Lighting Control Circuit

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle lighting systems face challenges in accurately controlling semiconductor light sources due to the need for multiple lines to transmit temperature and classification information, which increases the probability of transmission errors and reduces reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle lighting system that uses a single output signal to convey both temperature and classification information, allowing the control device to determine the operating current based on stored relationships, thereby reducing the number of lines required and enhancing reliability and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If multiple lines are used to transmit temperature and classification information, then information transmission completeness is improved, but the probability of transmission errors increases and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation transmission completenessVSAvoidtransmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines temperature information and classification information into a single output signal transmitted through one line. The evaluation circuit processes both parameters and generates one combined signal that conveys both pieces of information simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate transmission lines and reducing error probability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The single output line serves multiple functions by transmitting both temperature and classification information. This multi-functional approach allows one line to replace what would traditionally require multiple dedicated lines, improving reliability while maintaining complete information transmission.

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

2Measurement precision

If multiple lines are used for information transmission, then information accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation accuracyVSAvoidnumber of lines
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation circuit merges temperature and classification data into a single composite output signal. This consolidation maintains full information accuracy while reducing the physical infrastructure from multiple lines to one line, thereby decreasing device complexity and associated costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple lines are used to transmit information, then control accuracy is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol accuracyVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining multiple information streams into a single output signal, the patent reduces the number of connections required in the final assembly. This simplification lowers manufacturing costs related to wiring, connector fabrication, and quality inspection, while the evaluation circuit maintains precise control information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If a single line is used to transmit both temperature and classification information, then device complexity is reduced, but information transmission precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of linesVSAvoidinformation transmission precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The evaluation circuit transforms multiple information parameters (temperature and classification) into a single composite signal parameter. This parameter transformation allows both pieces of information to be encoded in one signal without loss of precision, as the control device can decode both parameters from the single input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 system operates more reliably and cost-effectively by reducing the number of connections, ensuring accurate control of semiconductor light sources with a single line for temperature and classification information, thus improving lighting performance and reducing errors.

Implementation Method 1

a semiconductor light source which is arranged on a carrier element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

a semiconductor light source which is arranged on a carrier element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting laser diode: Laser

Implementation Method 3

an evaluation circuit which is arranged on the carrier element and is set up to detect a class of the semiconductor light source and a temperature

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 4

The heat loss cannot be sufficiently dissipated by radiation and is preferably dissipated into the environment via the carrier element and a heat sink

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat dissipation: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2947962B1Motor vehicle illumination system
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 MARELLI GERMANY GMBH
  • EP2947962B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2947962B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A motor vehicle lighting system (10) is proposed, comprising light-generating elements (18) and a control unit (38). The light-generating elements (18) include at least one semiconductor light source (22) mounted on a carrier element (16), and the control unit (38) is configured to adjust the operating current of the at least one semiconductor light source (22). The lighting system is characterized in that the light-generating elements (18) include an evaluation circuit (20) configured to detect the class of the semiconductor light source (22) and/or the temperature, and to generate an output signal depending on the class of the semiconductor light source (22) and/or the temperature. The control unit is configured to adjust the operating current for the light-generating elements (18) depending on the output signal.