Monolithic LED Lighting Module Homogeneous Beam Projection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Monolithic solid-state light sources for land vehicles face issues such as heat management, cross-talk, light loss due to large emission angles, and non-homogeneous light beams caused by lines or streets on the source, leading to reduced luminance and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A light module with a monolithic light-emitting source and a primary optical system featuring convergent optics that form virtual images of the light-emitting elements, where each convergent optic is positioned closer to the light-emitting element than its object focal distance, allowing for improved light collection and projection of a homogeneous light beam.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If monolithic solid-state light sources are used to increase light intensity and pixelation, then illumination quality and adaptive lighting capability are improved, but heat generation increases and requires complex thermal management

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight intensityVSAvoidtemperature increase
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The monolithic light source is divided into multiple independently controllable LED pixels arranged in a matrix, allowing selective activation of specific regions to distribute heat generation across multiple zones rather than concentrating it in a single area

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the monolithic light source can be controlled with different characteristics, enabling localized heat management by activating or deactivating specific pixel groups based on thermal conditions and lighting requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If lines or streets are present on the light source to separate LEDs, then individual LED control is enabled, but non-emissive areas increase causing reduced average luminance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindividual LED controlVSAvoidaverage luminance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Adjacent LED pixels are optically combined through their respective lenses to form a unified projected beam, merging the light output to create a homogeneous illumination pattern that compensates for the non-emissive line areas

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The separation between LEDs in the lateral dimension is compensated by optical projection in the longitudinal dimension, where the lenses project the light to a distant plane, effectively reducing the visual impact of the non-emissive lines

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If conventional optical systems are used with monolithic light sources, then light projection is achieved, but significant light loss occurs due to wide emission angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight projection capabilityVSAvoidlight loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Ameny introduced as an intermediary optical element between the LED and its lens, acting as a light guide that captures wide-angle emission and redirects it efficiently through total internal reflection, thereby reducing light loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Conventional direct optical coupling is replaced with a photonic crystal structure that manipulates light through optical physics principles rather than mechanical alignment, enabling efficient light collection from wide emission angles

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 enhances light intensity by minimizing light loss and increasing luminance, reducing the size of emissive surfaces, and reducing cross-talk, while maintaining high pixelation for adaptive lighting functions, thus improving driving safety and comfort.

Implementation Method 1

a primary optical system equipped with a plurality of converging optics, at least one converging optic being associated with each electroluminescent element and forming an image of the electroluminescent element to which it is associated

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

a monolithic electroluminescent source comprising electroluminescent elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3513119B1Lighting module having a monolithic light-emitting source
Publication Date: 2021.11.10 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3513119B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3513119B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP3513119B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

The invention relates in particular to a lighting module, especially for a motor vehicle, comprising: a monolithic light-emitting source including light-emitting elements; and a primary optical system equipped with a plurality of converging optics, at least one converging optic being associated with each light-emitting element and forming an image of the light-emitting element associated therewith.