Variable Light-Transmitting Vehicle Lamp for Dynamic Image and Color Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing exterior vehicle lighting systems are limited in creating variety of impressions due to fixed lighting-up areas and colors, and display technologies like LCDs or OLEDs are costly and power-intensive.

Innovation Solution

An image variable lighting apparatus using a light source portion and a variable light-transmitting portion with electrochromic or electrophoretic devices that change light transmittance based on electrical signals, combined with a semi-transparent portion to create varying images and colors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If display panels such as LCDs or OLEDs are employed as external vehicle lighting, then changes in images and colors can be achieved, but costs and power consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage and color variabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional display panels (LCDs, OLEDs) with a mechanical-optical system consisting of LED light sources and electrochromic lenses. The electrochromic lenses change their light transmission properties electrically to create different lighting patterns and colors, substituting the need for complex display panel electronics while achieving similar visual effects with lower power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electrochromic lens serves multiple functions: it acts as a light modulator to create different lighting patterns, a color filter when combined with colored LEDs, and a power-saving alternative to display panels. This multi-functional component replaces what would traditionally require separate display and lighting systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If display panels such as LCDs or OLEDs are employed as external vehicle lighting, then changes in images and colors can be achieved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage and color variabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses relatively inexpensive LED light sources and electrochromic lens assemblies instead of costly display panels. The system achieves image variability through controlled light transmission and combination of colored LEDs rather than requiring expensive pixel-based display technology, significantly reducing manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces expensive display panel electronics with a simpler optical-mechanical system using electrochromic lenses and LEDs, reducing component costs and manufacturing complexity while maintaining the ability to create variable lighting patterns and colors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional LED lighting with fixed areas and colors is used, then reliability is maintained, but adaptability for creating various exterior impressions is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting pattern variabilityVSAvoidsystem simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system is segmented into multiple independently controllable LED units arranged in arrays, with each LED or group of LEDs capable of being controlled separately. The electrochromic lens is divided into multiple independently controllable regions, allowing flexible creation of various lighting patterns while maintaining the reliability of individual proven LED components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from static fixed-pattern LED lighting to a dynamic system where the electrochromic lens can change its light transmission properties in real-time. This allows the lighting pattern, area, and color to be dynamically adjusted while maintaining system reliability through proven LED and electrochromic technologies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables creation of diverse exterior vehicle designs with low power consumption and cost, by altering lighting-up areas and colors through individually controlled light transmission.

Implementation Method 1

The variable light-transmitting portion may include an electrochromic device or an electrophoretic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Implementation Method 2

The variable light-transmitting portion may include an electrochromic device or an electrophoretic device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrophoresis: Electrophoresis

Implementation Method 3

The light source portion may include a plurality of LED packages

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight Emitting Diode: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentUS12584606B2Image variable lighting apparatus

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is an image variable lighting apparatus, including a light source portion configured to emit light forward, and a variable light-transmitting portion configured to be disposed in front of the light source portion, in which light transmittance of the variable light-transmitting portion changes depending on whether an electrical signal is input to the variable light-transmitting portion.