Rotating Vehicle Lighting Modules for Adaptive Beam Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lighting devices are expensive, complex, and unable to adapt to different driving situations, such as turns or varying light beam adjustments, and often limit lighting functions to only two main functions.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle lighting device with a main lighting module and multiple secondary rotating modules, each with independent actuators, allowing for various lighting distributions by offsetting and rotating the modules around different axes to achieve multiple lighting functions while maintaining a simple and compact design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating reflector with a fixed light source is used, then the lighting device can scan light within a predetermined solid angle, but the device becomes expensive and complex to produce and operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting function adaptabilityVSAvoiddevice construction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lighting device into multiple independent modules: a main lighting module with a fixed light source and multiple secondary lighting modules with rotatable light sources. Each module can be independently controlled to perform different lighting functions, replacing the need for a single complex rotating reflector system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces rotatable secondary lighting modules that can dynamically adjust their orientation to change light distribution patterns. This dynamic capability allows the system to adapt to different driving situations (turns, fog, city/runway modes) without requiring a complex rotating reflector mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating reflector system is used to provide multiple lighting functions, then lighting adaptability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelighting function adaptabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device is segmented into independent modular units with standardized components. Each secondary lighting module contains its own light source and rotation mechanism, allowing for simplified mass production and assembly compared to a single complex rotating reflector system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple secondary lighting modules with identical or similar structures can perform different lighting functions through their rotatable capability. This universality allows the same module design to be used repeatedly throughout the device, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a rotating reflector with fixed light source is used, then light scanning capability is achieved, but the device cannot meet modern adaptive lighting requirements for turns and beam adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptive lighting capabilityVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is divided into independently controllable modules, each capable of specific lighting functions. The main module provides primary illumination while secondary modules handle adaptive functions like turn signals and fog lighting, allowing straightforward control for each function without complex coordinated operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable secondary lighting modules provide dynamic adaptability for modern lighting requirements. Each module can independently rotate to direct light in different directions, enabling easy adaptation to turns, fog conditions, and various driving scenarios without complex operational procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If only two reflective surfaces are used on a rotating support, then the device structure is simplified, but only two different main light functions can be generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structure simplicityVSAvoidlighting function variety
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using multiple surfaces on a single rotating support, the patent segments the lighting device into multiple independent modules. Each module contributes to the overall lighting function, allowing for greater functional variety while maintaining structural simplicity through modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rotatable secondary lighting modules provide dynamic functionality that replaces the need for multiple static reflective surfaces. Each module can rotate to provide different light distributions, enabling the generation of multiple lighting functions from simple modular structures rather than complex multi-surface supports.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3354965B1Lighting device for vehicles provided with rotating modules
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 MARELLI AUTOMOTIVE LIGHTING ITAL SPA
  • EP3354965B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3354965B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3354965B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4b

AI summary

A lighting device (1) for vehicles including a housing body (2) having a front inlet opening, a transparent cover (3) to close the front inlet opening, a main lighting module (5) mounted stationary within the housing body and at least two secondary lighting modules (6,7,8) mounted within the housing body rotatable in relation thereto and to the main lighting module, each around a respective its own first axis (A,B,C) transverse to an horizontal plane; wherein the secondary lighting modules (6,7,8)are designed and/or arranged within the housing body (2) so as to generate on a test screen placed in front of the lighting device respective light projections (16,17,18) which are arranged at least in part offset to one another in a vertical direction.