Vehicle Lighting System with Segmented Light Engines

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting systems for vehicles face challenges in efficiently operating high-intensity discharge (HID) and halogen light sources at reduced power levels, leading to increased costs and shortened lifespan due to continuous operation in multiple modes, particularly in daytime running light (DRL) mode.

Innovation Solution

A single projector apparatus with a primary and secondary light engine, where the primary engine operates in low and high beam modes, and the secondary engine functions in DRL mode, allowing each engine to operate at higher efficiency and reducing the need for separate lighting apparatus.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single lighting source is used for both DRL mode and low/high beam mode, then device complexity is reduced, but the lifespan of the lighting source is significantly shortened due to continuous operation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of lighting apparatusVSAvoidlifespan of lighting source

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the lighting system into two separate lighting sources: a first lighting source dedicated to DRL mode and a second lighting source for low and high beam modes. This segmentation allows each source to operate independently, preventing continuous operation of a single source and thereby extending its lifespan while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Use of energy by moving object

If HID light sources are operated at reduced voltages for DRL mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but the light source efficiency deteriorates and lifespan is shortened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption at reduced powerVSAvoidlight source efficiency and lifespan

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent assigns the DRL function to a dedicated first lighting source that operates continuously at reduced power levels, while the second lighting source operates at full power for low and high beam modes. This segmentation allows the first source to be optimized for low-power operation without compromising the efficiency and lifespan of the second source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent accepts that the first lighting source dedicated to DRL mode may have a shorter operational lifespan due to continuous operation, but this is acceptable because it allows the second lighting source (which is more expensive and critical for safe driving) to maintain optimal efficiency and longer lifespan by operating only when needed at full power.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Use of energy by moving object

If halogen lamps are operated at reduced power levels for DRL mode, then energy consumption is reduced, but efficiency deteriorates due to high dimming ratio necessary for ECE specifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumption at reduced powerVSAvoidlighting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a dedicated first lighting source for DRL mode that can be optimized for efficient low-power operation, while the second lighting source maintains high efficiency for low and high beam modes. This segmentation eliminates the efficiency loss associated with dimming halogen lamps for ECE specifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameters by dedicating different lighting sources to different modes, allowing the first source to operate continuously at optimized DRL parameters while the second source operates at full performance parameters when required, avoiding the efficiency penalties of power reduction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If a separate dedicated lighting apparatus is provided for DRL mode, then lighting efficiency is improved, but device complexity and costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelighting efficiency in DRL modeVSAvoidnumber of lighting apparatus

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation by providing a dedicated first lighting source for DRL mode and a second lighting source for low and high beam modes. This segmentation improves lighting efficiency for each specific function while managing complexity through a unified projector apparatus design that integrates both sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2436558B1Lighting system with daytime running light

Publication Date: 2021.03.10 OSRAM SYLVANIA INC

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AI summary

A lighting system (10) comprising a primary light engine (20); a secondary light engine (22); and a projection apparatus (14, 14a-b) comprising a reflector (28) configured to reflect electromagnetic radiation emitted from the primary light engine (20); a projector lens (28) configured to project at least a portion of the reflected electromagnetic radiation from the reflector (28); and a shutter (24, 24a-c) disposed between the secondary light engine (22) and the reflector (28). The shutter (24, 24a-c) is configured to selectively obscure a portion of the projector lens (28) from the reflected electromagnetic radiation and is further configured to selectively emit at least a portion of electromagnetic radiation from the secondary light engine (22) through at least a portion of the projector lens (28).