Vehicle Lighting Module with Segmented Micro-Mirror Cooling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting modules for motor vehicles with micro-mirror matrices face inefficiencies in cooling, leading to excessive heating that can cause malfunction or destruction of the micro-mirror array and control circuit.
Innovation Solution
A lighting module design featuring distinct zones for heat dissipation, each with a dedicated heat sink and airflow generation, utilizing separate fans and air outlets to effectively manage heat and airflow around the light source and micro-mirror matrix, ensuring efficient cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heat sinks combined with fans are used to cool the micromirror array, then cooling capability is improved, but the lighting module still cannot maintain temperature below damage threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting module is divided into three distinct zones: a first zone containing the light source and micromirror array, a second zone with a first heat sink for cooling the light source, and a third zone with a second heat sink for cooling the micromirror array. Each zone has dedicated cooling resources, allowing independent and optimized temperature control for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different cooling strategies are applied to different zones based on their specific thermal requirements. The first heat sink is optimized for the light source's thermal characteristics while the second heat sink is optimized for the micromirror array's thermal characteristics. Airflow paths are also zone-specific, with the first fan directing air through the first zone and second fan directing air through the third zone.
2Device complexity
If a single cooling system is used for both light source and micromirror array, then device complexity is reduced, but temperature control precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into two independent subsystems: a first cooling subsystem comprising the first heat sink and first fan for the light source, and a second cooling subsystem comprising the second heat sink and second fan for the micromirror array. This segmentation allows each subsystem to be optimized for its specific component's thermal requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling system operates in multiple spatial dimensions with distinct airflow paths. The first fan generates airflow in the first zone and third zone, while the second fan generates airflow in the second zone. Vertical chimneys provide upward airflow paths, creating a three-dimensional cooling architecture that efficiently manages heat from different zones independently.
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 significantly reduces the temperature of the light source and micro-mirror array, enhancing the reliability and service life of the components by maintaining temperatures below damaging thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
a second zone comprising a first heat sink capable of dissipating the heat generated by at least one light source
Implementation Method 2
a third zone comprising a second heat sink capable of dissipating the heat generated by the micromirror array
Implementation Method 3
at least one means for generating an airflow to generate an airflow in the first zone, in the second zone and in the third zone
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
Lighting module (3) for a vehicle (1) headlight (2), comprising: - a first zone (Z1) including at least one light source (22') and a micro-mirror array (24), - a second zone (Z2) including a first heat sink (26) for the heat generated by said light source (22'), - a third zone including a second heat sink (27) for the heat generated by the micro-mirror array (24), - at least one means for generating an airflow (31', 32') to generate an airflow in the first zone (Z1), in the second zone (Z2) and in the third zone (Z3), the first (Z1), second (Z2) and third zone (Z3) being distinct from each other, the first zone (Z1) being arranged vertically between the second zone (Z2) and the third zone (Z3), the first zone (Z1) including an air outlet (30).