Exterior Vehicle Lights With Interchangeable LED Clusters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional car rear light modules using filament bulbs are inefficient and pose safety risks due to non-interchangeable light sources and potential failure of individual LED segments, leading to logistic issues and safety hazards when one fails.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system with interchangeable LED clusters for different automotive light signals, including a failure detection system and controller to switch output between units, ensuring continuous functionality and safety by using a controllable LED cluster to generate necessary colors for various light functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If specific color LEDs are used for different segments of the rear light module, then lighting efficiency is improved, but the light sources become non-interchangeable creating logistic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single type of white LED that can be controlled to produce multiple colors (red, orange, white) through color mixing techniques. This universal LED design allows the same light source to serve multiple functions across different segments of the rear light module, eliminating the need for color-specific LEDs while maintaining interchangeability and logistical simplicity
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional filament light bulbs are used, then light sources are interchangeable, but lighting efficiency is poor and safety risks increase upon failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from filament-based lighting to LED technology, fundamentally changing the light generation parameter from thermal radiation to electroluminescence. This parameter change achieves dramatically improved lighting efficiency (luminous efficacy) while maintaining system reliability through the use of multiple controllable LED units that can compensate for individual failures
3Loss of energy
If individual LED segments are used for different light signals, then lighting efficiency is improved, but failure of one segment creates safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a failure detection system that monitors the operational status of each LED unit beforehand. Upon detecting a failure in one segment, the system proactively redistributes the light signal requirements to functional LED units, providing a cushioning effect that prevents safety hazards before they can manifest. This prior cushioning approach ensures continuous safe operation even when individual components fail
4Reliability
If multiple color-specific LED clusters are used, then each light signal has dedicated units, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single type of white LED that can be controlled to produce multiple colors (red, orange, white) through color mixing techniques. This universal LED design allows the same light source to serve multiple functions across different segments of the rear light module, eliminating the need for color-specific LEDs while maintaining interchangeability and logistical simplicity
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 system maintains safety and efficiency by allowing one LED cluster to perform multiple roles, reducing complexity and ensuring continuous light output even if individual units fail, with a priority scheme to determine the safest output signals in case of multiple failures.
Implementation Method 1
a second lighting unit primarily for outputting a second automotive light signal, wherein the second lighting unit comprises an LED light unit
Implementation Method 2
The second lighting unit preferably comprises an LED cluster which is controllable to output one of a plurality of colours
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system for exterior lights of an automobile comprises a first lighting unit (10,12,14,16) primarily for outputting a first automotive light signal and a failure detection system (26) for detecting a failure of the first lighting unit (10,12,14,16). A second lighting unit is primarily for outputting a second automotive light signal. The second lighting unit comprises an LED light unit. A controller (30) is adapted to determine if there is failure of the first lighting unit, and if there is failure of the first lighting unit, to use the second lighting unit to generate the first automotive light signal. This is in response to an output request from the first lighting unit (10,12,14,16).