Motor Vehicle Lighting Device Deflection Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle lighting devices face inefficiencies in light distribution, leading to long deactivation times and the need for powerful light sources to achieve sufficient illuminance, especially when irregular light distributions are required.

Innovation Solution

The method involves controlling the deflection device to set multiple first deflection angles sequentially, varying the second deflection angle to sweep over a second angular range, allowing for non-rectangular light distributions with a continuously active light source, reducing switch-off times and increasing light source utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If irregular light distributions are provided in motor vehicles, then the light source can be deactivated in areas not to be illuminated, but this leads to long deactivation times

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution adaptabilityVSAvoiddeactivation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The light source remains continuously active without deactivation, eliminating switching losses and long deactivation times. The deflection device continuously sweeps the light beam across the required angular ranges, maintaining uninterrupted illumination of the desired areas while avoiding unnecessary deactivation and reactivation cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic control of the deflection device with varying sweep frequencies and angular ranges. By adjusting the first and second sweep frequencies independently, the system dynamically adapts the light distribution pattern to match the required illumination areas, achieving irregular light distributions without deactivating the light source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Illumination intensity

If the light source is dimensioned relatively powerful to achieve sufficient illuminance, then adequate brightness is provided, but light source utilization becomes less effective

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveilluminance brightnessVSAvoidlight source utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the deflection device, specifically the first sweep frequency and second sweep frequency, to optimize light distribution. By varying these frequencies and the angular ranges, the system concentrates light output precisely where needed, achieving sufficient illuminance with more effective use of the light source's total output, thereby reducing the required light source power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection device creates non-uniform light distribution with different intensities in different areas by controlling the sweep patterns. Areas requiring higher illuminance receive more concentrated light exposure through optimized sweep frequencies and angular ranges, while areas needing less illumination receive correspondingly less light, achieving local optimization of light utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If a rectangular light image is provided with each line having the same length, then the illumination area is uniformly covered, but the light source must be deactivated in areas not to be illuminated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveilluminated area coverageVSAvoidlight distribution shape flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs asymmetric and irregular light distribution patterns by independently controlling the first and second sweep frequencies and angular ranges. This allows the illuminated area to take on various non-rectangular shapes adapted to specific lighting requirements, such as triangular or trapezoidal patterns, providing flexibility in light distribution shape while maintaining uniform coverage of the desired area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The illumination area is segmented into different regions with different sweep frequency requirements. By dividing the angular range into multiple sections and applying different sweep frequencies to different segments, the system can create complex light distribution patterns that cover irregular areas effectively without requiring deactivation of the light source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 approach enables more effective use of light output, allowing for a lower power light source to achieve the same illumination brightness by varying deflection angles and frequencies, reducing deactivation times and enhancing light distribution flexibility.

Implementation Method 1

a deflection device (4, 12) for deflecting the light beam (3) with a first deflection angle which can be predetermined by a control device (10) in a first deflection direction, and with a second deflection angle, which can be predetermined by the control device (10), into a second deflection direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight deflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3227604B1Method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle and motor vehicle, lighting device
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 AUDI AG
  • EP3227604B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3227604B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5
  • EP3227604B1 patent drawingFigure 6

AI summary

Method for operating a lighting device of a motor vehicle, wherein the lighting device comprises a light source for making available a light beam, and a deflector device for deflecting the light beam with a first deflection angle, predefined by a control device, in a first deflection direction, and with a second deflection angle, predefined by the control device, in a second deflection direction, at an angle with respect to the first deflection direction, wherein the control device varies the first deflection angle over a first angle range which is defined by first limiting angles, wherein during the variation of the first deflection angle over the first angle range by the control device the second deflection angle is varied in order to pass repeatedly over a second angle range which is defined by second limiting angles, wherein the second limiting angles are predefined as a function of the respectively set first deflection angle.