Vehicle Lighting Apparatus with Dual-Surface Heat Dissipator

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle lamps require multiple lamp units, limiting design freedom for automobiles as they need to be disposed in the front, which restricts design flexibility and increases size.

Innovation Solution

A lighting apparatus with a heat dissipator having two outer surfaces, where a first light-emitting device is thermally coupled to one surface and a second light-emitting device to another, along with a reflector and lenses to direct light, allowing for a compact and efficient lighting solution that fits within a predetermined circular region.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lamp units are used to form light distribution patterns, then lighting functionality is improved, but device complexity increases and design freedom decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting functionalityVSAvoidnumber of lamp units

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple light-emitting devices (first and second light-emitting devices) into a single integrated lamp unit. The housing contains both light-emitting devices, the reflector reflects light from both devices, and the lens transmits and shapes the combined light. This merging allows the single lamp unit to perform lighting functions that previously required multiple separate lamp units, thereby improving lighting functionality while reducing device complexity and increasing design freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple lamp units are disposed in the front of the automobile, then lighting coverage is improved, but design freedom of the automobile decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting coverageVSAvoiddesign freedom of automobile

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple light-emitting devices into a single compact lamp unit with a unified housing, reflector, and lens assembly. This integration reduces the spatial footprint and allows the lamp unit to be disposed in a single location in the front of the automobile, thereby maintaining lighting coverage while increasing design freedom and aesthetic flexibility of the vehicle front end.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflector is configured to reflect light from both the first and second light-emitting devices in different directions to achieve comprehensive lighting coverage. By utilizing spatial arrangement and angular reflection within a single compact unit, the patent maintains the lighting coverage equivalent to multiple distributed lamp units while consolidating them into one location, thus preserving automotive design freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If a compact integrated design is used, then design freedom increases, but heat dissipation becomes more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration levelVSAvoidheat dissipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a heat dissipation structure as an intermediary component between the light-emitting devices and the surrounding environment. This heat dissipation structure is integrated into the housing and provides thermal management for both light-emitting devices, enabling effective heat dissipation while maintaining the compact integrated design and preserving design freedom.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 increases design freedom for mobile objects by integrating low and high beam functions into a single unit, reducing size and enhancing lighting efficiency while minimizing glare for oncoming traffic.

Implementation Method 1

a heat dissipator having a first outer surface and a second outer surface different from the first outer surface; a first light-emitting device thermally coupled to the first outer surface of the heat dissipator; a second light-emitting device thermally coupled to the second outer surface of the heat dissipator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light-emitting device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a first lens that is disposed in a path of light reflected by the reflector and that transmits the light from the reflector along a predetermined lighting direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS10024514B2Lighting apparatus and mobile object including the same

Publication Date: 2018.07.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A lighting apparatus to be installed on a mobile object includes: a heat dissipator having a first outer surface and a second outer surface different from the first outer surface; a first light-emitting device thermally coupled to the first outer surface of the heat dissipator; a second light-emitting device thermally coupled to the second outer surface of the heat dissipator; a reflector that reflects light emitted from the first light-emitting device; a first lens that is disposed in a path of light reflected by the reflector and that transmits the light from the reflector along a predetermined lighting direction; and a second lens disposed in a path of light from the second light-emitting device.