Vehicle Lamp Light Source Unit Heat Dissipation Plate Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing light source units for vehicle lamps have insufficient heat-dissipation properties due to a small contact area between the heat conducting metal member and the substrate, which can lead to ineffective heat release during light emission from the light emitting elements.

Innovation Solution

A light source unit design that includes a substrate with a heat-dissipation plate bonded to its rear surface, a power supply body positioned outside the substrate, and a socket housing with a placement recess and grooves to increase the heat-dissipation area, allowing for improved heat management by positioning the connection terminal outside the substrate and using a heat-dissipation plate with high thermal conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the power supply member is inserted through the substrate and bonded by conductive metal member, then electrical connection is achieved, but the heat-dissipation area is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidheat-dissipation area
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The power supply member is divided into two distinct parts: a connection terminal portion that contacts the electrode pad for electrical connection, and a body portion that is positioned in the gap between the substrate and the heat-dissipation plate. This segmentation allows the electrical connection function and heat-dissipation function to be separated spatially, resolving the contradiction between achieving reliable electrical connection and maximizing heat-dissipation area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-generated harmful factors

If the heat conducting metal member is positioned only at the central portion of the substrate, then interference with power supply member is avoided, but sufficient heat-dissipation properties cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterference avoidanceVSAvoidheat-dissipation properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The heat-dissipation plate is extended not only in the plane of the substrate but also in the vertical dimension, with the body portion of the power supply member positioned in the gap between the substrate and the heat-dissipation plate. This three-dimensional arrangement allows the heat-dissipation plate to cover the entire rear surface of the substrate without interfering with the power supply member, thereby maximizing heat-dissipation properties while avoiding interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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

This design enhances the heat-dissipation properties of the light source unit, effectively managing heat generated during light emission from the light emitting elements, thereby improving the unit's thermal performance.

Implementation Method 1

a heat-dissipation plate bonded to a rear surface of the substrate with an adhesive... heat generated at the time of emitting light from the light emitting element is released via the heat conducting metal member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP3279552B1Light source unit and vehicle lamp fitting
Publication Date: 2019.12.18 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP3279552B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3279552B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3279552B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The aim is to improve the heat-dissipation properties relating to the heat generated at the time of emitting light from the light emitting element. A light source unit includes a light emitting element 26 which functions as a light source, a wiring pattern on which the light emitting element is mounted, an electrode pad 29 connected to the wiring pattern, a substrate 25 on which the wiring pattern is formed and the electrode pad is mounted, a power supply body 10 which supplies external power to the electrode pad, and a socket housing 9 which has an engaging portion 20 engaged with a predetermined member and holds the substrate, the light emitting element and the power supply body. The power supply body has a terminal holding portion 21 formed of an insulating resin material and a connection terminal 22 supported by the terminal holding portion and connected to an external power supply. The connection terminal and the electrode pad are connected to each other by a conduction connecting part 31.