Movable Optical Unit for Vehicle Illumination Thermal Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing illumination devices for vehicles lack the ability to dynamically adjust light distribution in response to changing traffic situations, and they often experience thermal loading issues that reduce light intensity.
Innovation Solution
The illumination device employs multiple semiconductor sources, such as laser diodes, and a movable light-refracting optical unit that can pivot, slide, or rotate to direct light onto a light wavelength conversion element, allowing for adjustable beam formation and focusing. This device includes a control unit that uses piezoelectric elements and an operating device to manage the light distribution based on traffic conditions, ensuring consistent light intensity and adapting to thermal loading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If semiconductor sources are operated at high power to increase light intensity, then illumination brightness is improved, but thermal loading increases causing light intensity to decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The optical unit is designed to be movable relative to the semiconductor source, allowing dynamic adjustment of light distribution. This enables the system to adapt to thermal loading conditions by redistributing light patterns without requiring constant high power operation, thus maintaining illumination intensity while managing thermal effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by moving the optical unit to different positions, which alters the light distribution pattern on the wavelength conversion element. This parameter change allows the same semiconductor source to produce varied illumination patterns without changing power input, effectively managing thermal loading while maintaining light intensity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed optical system is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different traffic situations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The optical unit is made movable relative to the semiconductor source through a drive mechanism, enabling the system to adapt to different traffic situations by adjusting light distribution patterns. This dynamic capability provides versatility for various driving conditions while keeping the mechanical structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable optical unit serves multiple functions: it directs light to different areas of the wavelength conversion element, creates varied light patterns, and adapts illumination to different traffic situations. This single movable component provides multi-functionality that would otherwise require multiple separate optical systems.
3Stability of the object's composition
If light from multiple semiconductor sources is directed onto the same surface section, then illumination uniformity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable optical unit can be positioned to direct light from multiple semiconductor sources onto the same surface section of the wavelength conversion element. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to create uniform illumination patterns by superimposing light from multiple sources, while using a single optical unit rather than multiple fixed optical systems.
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 enables a variable light distribution tailored to traffic situations, maintaining consistent light intensity even under high thermal loading, and integrates seamlessly with vehicle systems for adaptive lighting functions like cornering lights and adaptive front lighting.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light wavelength conversion element for the wavelength conversion of the light emitted by the semiconductor sources
Implementation Method 2
at least one light-refracting optical unit associated with each semiconductor source, which is designed to direct light emitted by the respective semiconductor source onto the at least one light wavelength conversion element
Implementation Method 3
the at least one light-refracting optical unit allows beam formation of the light emitted by the respective semiconductor source, and in particular also focusing of the light emitted by the respective semiconductor source onto a surface of the at least one light wavelength conversion element
Implementation Method 4
The illumination device has a movement device which includes at least one piezoelectric element for moving the at least one light-refracting optical unit
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments may relate to an illumination device for vehicles, including multiple semiconductor light sources, and at least one light wavelength conversion element for the wavelength conversion of the light emitted by the semiconductor sources. At least one light-refracting optical unit is associated with each semiconductor source, which is designed to direct light emitted by the respective semiconductor source onto the at least one light wavelength conversion element. The at least one light-refracting optical unit is movably arranged with respect to the semiconductor source with which it is associated.