Vehicle LED Unit Temperature Control via Integrated Sensor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems for motor vehicles face challenges in achieving a space-saving arrangement while ensuring reliable and extended operation, particularly in managing temperature variations and data communication efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The lighting device incorporates microcontrollers and temperature sensors within each LED unit, allowing bidirectional communication with a processing module to adjust brightness and color based on ambient temperature, enabling precise temperature measurement and data collection, and reducing wiring complexity for a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If temperature sensors and microcontrollers are integrated into each LED unit, then temperature measurement precision and lighting control reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independent LED units, each with its own microcontroller and temperature sensor. This segmentation allows each unit to independently measure and control its temperature, achieving precise local temperature monitoring while the modular structure keeps individual unit complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each LED unit is equipped with its own microcontroller and temperature sensor, enabling it to autonomously monitor its temperature and adjust its operation without external intervention. This self-service capability improves measurement precision and reliability while the standardized self-contained modules actually reduce overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bidirectional communication is implemented between LED units and processing module, then lighting control versatility and temperature monitoring capability are improved, but wiring complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bidirectional communication interface serves multiple functions: it transmits lighting control commands from the processing module to LED units, reports temperature data from sensors back to the processing module, and enables diagnostic capabilities. This multi-functionality achieves lighting control versatility while using a single standardized communication protocol that actually simplifies wiring compared to separate dedicated lines for each function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple LED units with integrated electronics are used, then lighting system functionality is improved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functional components are merged into each LED unit: the LED light-emitting elements, microcontroller, temperature sensor, and communication interface are integrated into a single compact module. This merging achieves high lighting system functionality with versatile control and monitoring capabilities while minimizing the space each unit occupies, as the integrated electronics eliminate the need for separate housing and wiring for each component.
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 solution enables reliable operation by accounting for temperature fluctuations, reduces wiring needs, enhances electromagnetic compatibility, and supports scalable and efficient data transmission, contributing to consistent lighting and improved safety standards.
Implementation Method 1
The LED units also each include a temperature sensor that is designed to measure a current temperature value at the associated LED unit
Implementation Method 2
a plurality of LED units, each of which is designed to emit light with adjustable brightness
Data Source
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AI summary
A lighting device (10) for a motor vehicle (100) comprises a processing module (1) which is designed to receive, process and send signals of a data bus (6) of the motor vehicle (100). The lighting device (10) also comprises an LED unit (3) designed to emit light, when operational, with an adjustable brightness and a pre-defined colour locus, the LED unit (3) having a microcontroller (4) and a plurality of LEDs (301, 302, 303, 304) and said microcontroller (4) and the LEDs (301, 302, 303, 304) being encompassed by a housing (7) of the LED unit (3). The LED unit (3) also comprises a temperature sensor (8) designed to measure a current temperature value at the LED unit (3) and to communicate bi-directionally with the processing module (1), such that the current temperature value can be determined at the LED unit (3) by means of the temperature sensor (8) and the processing module (1).