Shared-Component Vehicle Light Module for Compact Signalling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automotive vehicle lighting systems face challenges in reducing size and cost due to the proliferation of separate lighting and signaling modules, which often utilize different technologies and power outputs, making integration difficult.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle lighting module that shares components between lighting and signaling functions, utilizing a common reflector and/or support to reduce the number of components and improve compactness, while maintaining luminous efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate signal units are used for different light signals, then signalling functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignalling functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light signals (brake light, indicator light, fog light) into a single light signal unit. Different signal types are generated by controlling different LED groups within the same unit, eliminating the need for separate signal units for each function and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining full signalling capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The light signal unit is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it can display brake signals, indicator signals, and fog lights within a single unit. This multi-functionality is achieved through a control unit that selectively activates different LED groups based on the required signal type, allowing one unit to replace what would traditionally require multiple specialized units.

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

2Reliability

If a housing is provided for each light signal unit, then protection and structural integrity are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveprotectionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a single housing structure that contains multiple light signal units rather than providing separate housings for each unit. This shared housing approach reduces the number of structural components and assembly steps while still providing adequate protection to all light signal units through the common housing structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If individual control units are used for each light signal, then control precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that can precisely control different types of light signals (brake, indicator, fog light) within a single light signal unit. It selectively activates different LED groups based on the required signal type, achieving the control precision of multiple separate units while reducing device complexity through consolidation.

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

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 compact and economical lighting modules that perform both lighting and signaling functions, reducing size and cost while maintaining high luminous efficiency and enabling complex signaling.

Implementation Method 1

The light signal unit (3; 30) comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged in at least two groups

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP4433327B1Light module with lighting and signalling functions
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4433327B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4433327B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4433327B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a light module (300) of a motor vehicle, said module comprising a first assembly (310) which is configured to perform a lighting function and comprises a plurality of first components, and a second assembly (220) which is configured to perform a signalling function and comprises a plurality of second components. The plurality of second components and the plurality of first components have at least one shared component, enabling the light module to be more compact.