Motor Vehicle Lighting Device Dynamic Bend Function

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle lighting systems struggle to produce a regulatory dynamic bend lighting function without moving parts, resulting in inadequate driver perception and non-compliance with UNECE R123 regulations, which require specific light intensity distributions.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle light device comprising a first cut-off light beam with a horizontal cut-out and a second light beam divided into selectively activatable segments, where the cut-out's proximal longitudinal end is positioned between 1.25° and 1.5°, and the lower vertical end is at -0.75° or lower, allowing for adjustable light intensity to create a regulatory overall light beam that follows vehicle bends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a movable light module is used to create dynamic cornering light function, then the driver can clearly see the cutoff moving and follows the curve, but the system uses moving parts resulting in higher cost and larger size

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver perception of cutoff movementVSAvoidmoving parts in lighting system
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical movable light module system with a stationary lighting device that uses electronic control of light segments. Instead of physically moving components to achieve dynamic cornering light function, the invention uses a plurality of selectively activatable light segments that can be independently controlled to create the appearance of beam movement without any mechanical motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting device is divided into multiple independently controllable light segments arranged in at least two rows. Each segment can be selectively activated or deactivated, allowing the system to create dynamic light patterns and simulate beam movement by switching between segments rather than moving the entire light module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If light segments intensity is reduced to maintain regulatory compliance, then the overall beam meets UNECE R123 regulations, but the driver cannot clearly see the light segments of the second beam

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveregulatory compliance of light beamVSAvoidvisibility of light segments to driver
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

Different light segments are assigned different intensity levels based on their position and function. The first light beam segments operate at higher intensities for visibility, while the second light beam segments operate at lower intensities to maintain regulatory compliance. This local differentiation of quality allows the system to simultaneously achieve driver visibility and regulatory adherence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses partial activation of light segments where only certain segments are activated at any given time. By selectively activating segments rather than all segments simultaneously, the system can maintain regulatory compliance while ensuring that the activated segments are sufficiently bright for driver perception.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Illumination intensity

If the first light beam has no bend, then the light segments in the second beam can have higher intensity and the driver clearly perceives the shift, but the first beam cannot be approved on its own under UNECE R123 regulations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintensity of light segmentsVSAvoidregulatory approval of light beam
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines a first light beam with an upward bend and a second light beam without bend to create a composite overall light beam. The first beam provides the necessary regulatory compliance with its upward bend, while the second beam adds intensity and dynamic cornering functionality. The merged system achieves both regulatory approval and enhanced performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The overall light beam serves multiple functions simultaneously: it meets UNECE R123 regulatory requirements through the upward bend of the first beam, provides high intensity illumination through the second beam segments, and enables dynamic cornering light function through selective activation of segments. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction between compliance and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3898328B1Lighting device for a motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2023.01.04 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP3898328B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3898328B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3898328B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A lighting device (5) for a motor vehicle (1) comprising: - means for emitting a first cut-off light beam (12) along an optical axis (11), the cut-off (13) having a substantially horizontal line (14) comprising a cut (16); the cut extending in a coordinate system formed by a horizontal reference axis (HR) parallel to a first horizontal axis (H1) passing through said substantially horizontal line (14) and a vertical reference axis (VR) perpendicular to the horizontal reference axis (HR) and to said optical axis (11), said optical axis (11) passing through the centre of the coordinate system; - means for emitting a second light beam (22) horizontally divided into a plurality of selectively activatable light segments (23a, 23n), the light segments (23a,..., 23n) being able to illuminate a zone located astride the first horizontal axis (H1), characterised in that the cut (16) comprises: - a proximal longitudinal end (16a) located in the coordinate system along the horizontal reference axis (HR) between 1.25° and 1.5° or between -1.25° and -1.5°; and - a lower vertical end (16c) located in the coordinate system along the vertical reference axis (VR) at a height of -0.75° or below.