Motor Vehicle Lighting Unit Dual-Circuit Cooling System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting units for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving high-resolution, adaptable light projection while efficiently managing heat generated by micromirror components, which affects their performance and longevity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting unit with a dual-circuit cooling system that separately cools the light module and mirror module using a single cooling system, where the cooling medium flows through both heat sinks in a specific sequence to optimize heat dissipation and reduce waste heat generation, thereby minimizing the operating temperature of the mirror module and extending the electronics' lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a micromirror component is used to achieve high-resolution light projection, then the light distribution adaptability is improved, but heat generation increases due to light absorption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful heat generated by light absorption into a manageable thermal flow by implementing a cooling system that directs cooling medium through strategically positioned heat sinks. The heat sinks are arranged to capture heat from both the light module and mirror module, transforming the previously harmful thermal energy into a controlled cooling process that maintains system performance.
2Temperature
If a cooling system is added to remove heat from the micromirror component, then the operating temperature is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling functions for the light module and mirror module into a single integrated cooling system. By using one cooling medium flow path that serves both heat sinks, the design reduces the number of separate cooling circuits, pumps, and control systems that would otherwise be needed, thereby lowering overall system complexity while maintaining effective temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling medium performs multiple functions simultaneously: it cools the light module through the first heat sink, cools the mirror module through the second heat sink, and transports heat from both sources to the environment. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate cooling systems for each component.
3Reliability
If the light source and mirror module are cooled separately, then the cooling effectiveness is improved, but the system compactness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cooling of the light source and mirror module into a single integrated cooling system with one cooling medium flow path. The cooling line connects both heat sinks in series, allowing the same cooling medium to service both thermal sources sequentially. This merged approach maintains effective cooling while reducing the overall system volume compared to having separate cooling circuits.
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 solution enhances the compactness, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of the lighting unit by reducing power loss and extending the lifespan of the electronics, while maintaining effective heat management and adaptable light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a cooling system which comprises at least one inlet, at least one outlet, at least one line, at least one flow unit, a cooling medium, a first cooling sink and a second cooling sink
Implementation Method 2
the flow unit is inserted into the line in order to produce a flow of the cooling medium in the line
Implementation Method 3
the mirror module is adapted to reflect the light emission produced by the light module in the emission direction of the lighting unit
Implementation Method 4
the light module comprises at least one light source
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting unit (1) for a motor vehicle, which comprises a light module (2) and a mirror module (3), wherein the mirror module (3) is designed to reflect the light emission produced by the light module (3) in an emission direction of the lighting unit (1), characterized by: the light module (2), which comprises at least one light source (4) and a first heat sink (5), the mirror module (3), which comprises a mirror unit (6) and a second heat sink (7), a cooling system (8), which comprises at least one inlet (9), at least one outlet (10), at least one line (11), at least one flow unit (12), a cooling medium, a first cooling sink, and a second cooling sink, wherein the inlet (9) and the outlet (10) are connected by the line (11), and the flow unit (12) is inserted into the line (11) in order to produce a flow of the cooling medium in the line (11) and sucks in the cooling medium through the inlet (9) and discharges the cooling medium through the outlet (10), and the first cooling sink is formed by the first heat sink (5) of the light module (2) and the second cooling sink is formed by the second heat sink (7) of the mirror module (3), wherein the first cooling sink is arranged downstream of the second cooling sink.