Movable Light-Source Unit for High Luminance Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solid state light-sources, such as LEDs, face challenges in achieving high luminance over time due to thermal management issues and efficiency loss at high drive current densities, limiting their adoption in applications like automotive headlamps and spotlights, and lack the ability to control illumination patterns electronically.
Innovation Solution
A movable light-source unit with individually controllable solid state light-sources, where the drive current or other parameters are varied as they move past an optical element to create desired illumination configurations, facilitating high luminance and efficient cooling without additional hardware or moving parts, and incorporating a fan arrangement for defogging/deicing in automotive applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If solid state light-sources are driven at high current densities to achieve high luminance, then illumination intensity is improved, but thermal management issues and efficiency loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by driving solid state light-sources in pulsed intervals rather than continuously. The light-sources are activated only during specific time windows when they are in position to illuminate the target area, allowing them to operate at high current densities for short durations to achieve high luminance, then remaining off during cooling periods. This periodic operation enables high peak illumination intensity while managing thermal load and maintaining efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the light-source unit movable relative to the target area, enabling dynamic positioning and selective illumination. The light-sources are arranged on a movable carrier that can be positioned to direct light only where needed, allowing high current density operation localized to specific areas rather than continuous broad illumination, thereby improving luminance efficiency while managing thermal distribution.
2Illumination intensity
If solid state light-sources are driven continuously to maintain high luminance, then illumination intensity is improved, but thermal management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic action to eliminate the need for complex continuous thermal management systems. By operating light-sources in pulsed intervals with sufficient cooling time between pulses, the thermal load is dramatically reduced, allowing simple passive cooling structures to suffice instead of complex active cooling systems with fans, heat sinks, and temperature sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the thermal management burden by separating the illumination function from continuous operation. The light-sources are taken out of continuous operation and activated only when needed, removing the constant thermal load that would require complex management systems. The illumination is provided in discrete bursts rather than continuous streams.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple addressable LEDs are arranged in an array to enable electronic control of illumination patterns, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the entire light-source unit movable rather than using a static array of individually addressable LEDs. A single light-source unit can be dynamically positioned to create different illumination patterns, eliminating the need for complex arrays with multiple moving parts. The illumination configuration is changed by moving the unit to different positions and orientations rather than by individually controlling multiple LEDs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple light-sources onto a single movable carrier unit, combining what would otherwise require separate addressable LED elements into one integrated assembly. This consolidation reduces the number of individual components and control channels needed, simplifying the overall system while maintaining the ability to create varied illumination patterns through the unit's positioning and orientation.
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 provides a high luminance impression with efficient cooling and flexible illumination patterns, reducing the need for complex thermal management and additional hardware, while effectively managing heat and moisture in automotive headlamps.
Implementation Method 1
Solid state light-sources are light-sources in which light is generated through recombination of electrons and holes
Implementation Method 2
The movement creates an airflow over the light-sources, which considerably improves the removal of heat from the light-sources
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to an illumination device (1) for providing a controllable illumination configuration. The illumination device comprises a light-source unit (2; 20) comprising a plurality of individually controllable solid state light-sources (8); and an optical element (3) arranged to modulate light from the solid state light- sources through a modulation area (16) of the optical element (3). The illumination device (1) further comprises an actuator (4) connected to the light-source unit (2) and controllable to move the light-source unit relative to the optical element (3) in such a way that the solid state light-sources (8) pass the modulation area (16) of the optical element (3) in succession; and a control unit (5) configured to control each of the solid state light-sources (8) to emit light with a time- varying intensity corresponding to the illumination configuration while the solid state light-source (8) moves past the modulation area of the optical element.