Voltage-Controlled Converter for Pixelated Vehicle Lighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Voltage variations in pixelated light sources for motor vehicle lighting systems can lead to inconsistent luminosity, potentially causing safety hazards and violating regulations due to the need for constant voltage supply.

Innovation Solution

A light device with a voltage-controlled converter and a servo loop connected between the power supply outputs and inputs of the pixelated light source, using operational amplifiers and resistive elements to mitigate voltage drops and maintain a stable voltage supply.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a voltage-controlled converter is used to supply pixelated light sources, then voltage stability is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for feedback loops and control circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoltage stabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback loop that monitors the voltage at the light source input and adjusts the converter output accordingly. The feedback connection is made directly at the light source input terminal, allowing the system to detect and compensate for voltage drops caused by parasitic resistances in real-time, thereby maintaining stable voltage despite variations in current demand.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary feedback connection that directly links the light source input terminal to the converter control circuit. This intermediary pathway allows precise measurement of the actual voltage at the load and enables the converter to adjust its output through this dedicated feedback channel, isolating the control mechanism from the complexities of the power distribution network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If connection pads and electrical links are used to connect converter to light source, then ease of manufacture is improved, but voltage drops increase due to parasitic resistances

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidvoltage drops
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback loop compensates for voltage drops by continuously monitoring the actual voltage at the light source input and adjusting the converter output voltage accordingly. When voltage drops occur due to parasitic resistances in connection pads and electrical links, the feedback mechanism detects this deviation and increases the converter output to maintain the required voltage level at the light source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent acknowledges the presence of parasitic resistances in connection elements but converts this harmful effect into a manageable parameter through feedback control. Rather than attempting to eliminate the parasitic resistances, the system uses them as a measurable deviation that the feedback loop compensates for, effectively turning the manufacturing simplicity enabled by these elements into an acceptable trade-off that is actively managed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 provides a stable and controlled electrical voltage to the pixelated light source, reducing fluctuations in brightness and ensuring compliance with regulations by minimizing parasitic resistances-induced voltage drops.

Implementation Method 1

a control loop (140) connected to at least one of the two electrical links (142, 144) at a level (131, 133) located between the connection pad and the power input of the pixelated light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOperational amplifier voltage measurement and feedback: Feedback

Implementation Method 2

a converter circuit (120) making it possible, in particular, to convert an electrical voltage supplied at its input (not shown) into an output voltage having a value different from the input voltage

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVoltage conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

A light-emitting diode, or LED, is a semiconductor electronic component capable of emitting light of a predetermined wavelength when an electrical voltage at least equal to a threshold value is applied to its terminals

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight-emitting diode electroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP4007142A1Lighting device with controlled voltage for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4007142A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4007142A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4007142A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention proposes a lighting device comprising a converter for supplying a pixelated light source with a stable and controlled electrical voltage. According to embodiments of the invention, a voltage-controlled converter is used as the voltage source to supply a pixelated light source with voltage control. The control system is such that it takes into account any parasitic resistances between the converter output and the input of the pixelated light source.