Vehicle Lighting MicroLED 3D Visual Depth Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional vehicle lighting, particularly automotive tail lamps, face challenges with pixilated appearances from discrete LEDs and durability issues with OLEDs, while seeking to create a 3D visual effect without bulky structural elements.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device utilizing a continuous surface of MicroLED dies on a printed circuit board or flexible substrate, allowing for individual or group addressability to create a 3D visual appearance with depth, animated patterns, and integrated with discrete illumination sources for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If discrete LEDs are used in traditional vehicle lighting, then the lighting device can be manufactured with simple components, but the appearance becomes pixilated and requires complex diffuser materials to smooth the light pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the lighting device into two functional segments: a continuous flexible substrate that provides the smooth base surface, and discrete LED components mounted on this substrate. This segmentation allows the simple manufacturing advantage of discrete LEDs to be retained while the continuous substrate eliminates the need for complex diffuser materials to smooth the appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible substrate acts as an intermediary element between the discrete LED components and the external environment. This intermediary provides a continuous, smooth surface that diffuses and softens the light from discrete LEDs naturally, eliminating the need for additional complex diffuser materials while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
2Shape
If OLED technology is used to achieve uniform appearance, then the lighting device provides desired uniformity, but the cost becomes extremely expensive and long term durability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs discrete LEDs mounted on flexible substrates, which are more cost-effective and durable than OLED technology. While individual LEDs have finite lifespans, their modular nature allows for easier replacement and maintenance, providing better long-term reliability and lower cost compared to expensive OLED panels that suffer from durability issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the key parameter from using organic OLED materials to inorganic LED components on flexible substrates. This parameter change maintains appearance uniformity through the continuous substrate design while dramatically improving long-term durability and reducing cost, as inorganic LEDs are more stable and longer-lasting than organic OLED materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If discrete LEDs are used to create lighting patterns, then the device can be controlled to show different patterns, but the pixilated appearance requires additional complex diffuser materials
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous flexible substrate serves as an intermediary that naturally diffuses light from discrete LEDs, creating smooth lighting patterns without requiring additional complex diffuser materials. This intermediary element maintains the adaptability of discrete LED control while eliminating the need for complicated diffuser systems.
4Device complexity
If traditional lighting technologies are used, then the structure can be simple, but achieving a 3D visual effect requires bulky structural elements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses flexible substrates that can be bent, folded, or shaped into three-dimensional configurations. This allows the creation of 3D visual effects through the spatial arrangement and deformation of a thin, lightweight substrate rather than requiring bulky structural elements, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving volumetric appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs flexible substrates as thin films that can be shaped into 3D forms. These thin films provide the necessary structural flexibility to create depth and dimensionality in lighting patterns without the bulk of traditional structural elements, achieving 3D effects while maintaining simplicity and lightness.
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 provides a thin, lightweight, and visually engaging 3D appearance with depth and animation, overcoming the limitations of traditional lighting technologies while maintaining a flat surface, and offering adjustable brightness and color for improved signaling and aesthetics.
Implementation Method 1
A lighting device is disclosed which includes a plurality of very small light emitting diodes (MicroLED dies)
Implementation Method 2
The plurality of MicroLED dies are configured to present an appearance of a 3-dimensional object such that the lighting device provides an accentuated 3-dimensional visual appearance
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A lighting device, such as a brake light assembly presenting a 3 -dimensional object includes a plurality of MicroLED dies, each measuring approximately 0.2mm x 0.2mm. The MicroLED dies are disposed in a continuous surface of a printed circuit board or a flexible circuit. Each of the MicroLED dies is individually or group addressable by a controller for being adjusted in brightness and/or color, and the controller is configured to illuminate the plurality of MicroLED dies in one or more different patterns to appear as the 3 -dimensional object. The controller is configured to animate the 3 -dimensional object in a time-varying pattern, which may, for example, make the 3 -dimensional object appear to move into or out of a plane which is on or parallel to the circuit. The 3 -dimensional object may be animated in a pulsing pattern, which can make it more interesting or enhance visibility of an associated signaling condition.