Segmented Vehicle Exterior Lighting for Custom Light Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle exterior lights are limited to fixed, predefined lighting designs, which restricts the ability to customize the geometric appearance while meeting legal requirements for light functions and luminous intensity.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a control device that operates exterior lights in multiple modes, allowing for independent control of segments with light sources, ensuring total luminous intensity remains within a defined range, and enabling customizable geometric manifestations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed, predefined lighting design is used, then the device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the adaptability and customization options are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by enabling the exterior light design to change dynamically through software control rather than requiring fixed hardware configurations. The control device can selectively activate different segments of the light source arrangement, allowing the same physical hardware to produce multiple geometric manifestations and design variations without physical reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by controlling the luminous intensity and activation state of individual light sources through software. By adjusting parameters such as which light sources are active, their intensity levels, and their temporal patterns, the system achieves multiple design configurations from a single hardware platform, resolving the contradiction between customization and complexity.
2Shape
If multiple hardware variants with differently arranged light sources are used to achieve design differentials, then the geometric appearance can be customized, but the device complexity and manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a single hardware platform that can serve multiple design functions. The same light source arrangement and housing structure can produce different geometric appearances through software-controlled segment activation, eliminating the need for multiple specialized hardware variants and simplifying manufacturing while maintaining design diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements copying by using software to create virtual representations of different light arrangements without physical duplication. Instead of manufacturing multiple hardware variants with different light source positions, the system uses digital control to replicate the appearance of different configurations from a single physical setup, reducing manufacturing complexity.
3Reliability
If the total luminous intensity is strictly controlled within a limited range, then compliance with legal requirements is ensured, but the flexibility in design expression is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the exterior light into multiple independently controllable segments or zones. This allows the control device to selectively activate specific segments to achieve different geometric manifestations while ensuring that the total luminous intensity of active segments remains within legally required ranges, thus maintaining both compliance and design flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by allowing different segments of the light source arrangement to have different activation states and intensity levels. This enables localized design expression where specific areas can be emphasized or de-emphasized while the overall luminous intensity remains compliant, resolving the contradiction between regulatory requirements and design creativity.
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 allows for customizable exterior light designs that meet legal requirements for luminous intensity and other light values, providing both compliance and high-quality design options.
Implementation Method 1
These illumination technologies for realizing the light sources of the exterior lights make it possible to combine, for example, legal requirements for the light function, specifically the light values, and design requirements
Implementation Method 2
These illumination technologies for realizing the light sources of the exterior lights make it possible to combine, for example, legal requirements for the light function, specifically the light values, and design requirements
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle having at least one exterior light and a control device. The exterior light has an illuminated area having at least two independently controllable segments, each comprising at least one light source, wherein the control device is designed to operate the exterior light in at least two operating modes, with each of which a geometric manifestation of the exterior light, defined by the light sources operated in the operating mode, is associated such that the total luminous intensity of the exterior light is within a range limited by a minimum value and a maximum value.