Efficient Heat Management in Automotive Lighting Systems
10 patents in this list
Updated:
In the world of automotive lighting, managing heat effectively is crucial for performance and longevity. LEDs and other advanced lighting technologies generate significant heat, which can impair function and lifespan if not properly managed. This heat can also lead to condensation, affecting visibility and safety, especially in varying weather conditions.
The challenge lies in balancing illumination with thermal regulation. Heat must be dissipated efficiently without compromising the compact design and aesthetic appeal of modern vehicles. Engineers face the task of integrating cooling solutions that are both effective and adaptable to different lighting configurations.
This page presents a range of strategies and solutions, including integrated heat sinks, active airflow systems, and thermoelectric cooling. These approaches ensure optimal heat management, enhancing reliability and performance of automotive lighting systems under diverse operational conditions.
1. Vehicle Lamp Body with Detachable Lens and Housing Featuring Heat-Induced Separation Mechanism
HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD., 2023
A vehicle lamp body that is easily recyclable and allows for efficient separation of the lens and housing components at the end of life while maintaining high rigidity. The lamp body has a housing attached to the vehicle body and a lens joined to the housing. The lens contains a specific heat-generating region that facilitates separation from the housing.
2. Integrated Heat Dissipating Structure with Radiator and Heat Pipes for Automotive LED Headlights
SHENZHEN AURORA TECHNOLOGY LIMITED, 2023
Heat dissipating structure for automotive LED headlights to improve brightness, power, and lifetime while keeping the lights cool. The structure integrates the radiator, heat pipes, and LED board into a single unit to efficiently transfer heat from the LEDs to the fins. This eliminates the need for separate parts that can compromise heat dissipation. The integrated structure allows quick heat transfer and dissipation, reducing LED temperatures to improve brightness and longevity. The design also enables higher-power LEDs without overheating. By welding the parts together, heat is directly conducted from the LEDs to the fins. This ensures better heat transfer compared to separate components.
3. LED Headlight Module with Dual Element Disjunctive Operation on Common Heatsink
LUMILEDS LLC, 2023
A vehicle headlight system using LEDs that achieves low and high beam patterns from a single module. The system has two LED elements mounted on a common heatsink. In low beam mode, one LED is operated at high power while the other is off. In high beam mode, the second LED is operated at high power while the first is dimmed. The disjunctive operation reduces the thermal load on the heatsink. The LEDs can be dimmed using PWM or using fewer LEDs from a group.
4. Vehicle Lighting Assembly with Integrated Heatsink and Active Airflow Cooling System for LED Thermal Management
MAGNA EXTERIORS INC., 2023
Vehicle lighting assembly with a heatsink and active cooling for thermal management of LED headlamps. The assembly has a heatsink that contacts the backside of the PCB to dissipate heat from the LEDs. The heatsink has fins and channels to facilitate airflow. A blower is positioned to draw air through the channels and exhaust it onto the PCB. This actively cools the LEDs to prevent overheating. The blower can be mounted in the heatsink or externally.
5. Forward LED Light with Integrated Heat Transfer and Temperature-Activated Deicing System
MATRIX RAILWAY CORPORATION, 2023
A forward LED light with cooling capabilities melts ice and keeps the lens clear. A heat transfer device and temperature sensing distribute heat from inside the light to a heatsink cover on the outside. This allows the light to use its own heat to deice the lens and prevent obstructions in cold and snowy conditions. The device detects low temperatures inside the light and activates a heating element on the front heatsink cover to generate more heat for deicing.
6. Vehicle Lamp with Recessed Light Guide and Integrated Heat Dissipation Unit
HYUNDAI MOBIS CO., LTD., 2022
Vehicle lamp design that prevents inner lens deformation and damage from concentrated light. The lamp has a recessed area in the light guide near the bottom surface. This recessed area reflects light back instead of transmitting it further. A heat dissipation unit is mounted on this recessed area to absorb and dissipate the concentrated light. This prevents excessive temperature buildup and deformation in the inner lens. The recessed area with the heat dissipation unit is shaped to match the cutoff line of the low beam pattern.
7. LED Vehicle Lamp with Integrated Heat Sink Body and Insertable Conductive Structure
Lumileds LLC, 2022
LED lamp for vehicle lights that mimics the appearance of conventional lamps while improving reliability and service life. The LED lamp has a heat sink body with an insertable conductive structure to connect the LED modules. The heat sink body has a central bore, side duct, and opening. The insertable structure fits in the duct with contacts accessible through the opening. This allows easy module connection and heat dissipation. The integrated heat sink design reduces temperature and improves longevity compared to a separate bulb/heat sink.
8. LED Vehicle Lamp with Embedded Heat Pipe and Heat Sink for Passive Cooling
Flex-N-Gate Advanced Product Development, LLC, 2022
Passive cooling system for LED vehicle lamps that removes heat from the LED without active cooling. It uses a heat pipe embedded in a heat sink with the LED mounted directly on the pipe. Heat transfers from the LED to the pipe and then to the sink, passively cooling the LED without a fan. The heat pipe allows effective heat removal compared to just using the sink alone. The LED is mounted close to the center of the pipe to maximize heat transfer. The heat sink has a slot to receive the pipe. The LED is electrically connected to a PCB mounted on the sink.
9. Automotive Headlight with Integrated Sheet Metal Heat Sink and Molded Optical Element
VALEO VISION BELGIQUE, 2019
A compact and lightweight automotive headlight design that reduces size and weight compared to conventional headlights. The headlight uses a heat sink integrated into the housing and molded with the housing to provide thermal management. This eliminates the need for a separate heat sink component. The heat sink is made of sheet metal, such as aluminum. The integrated heat sink reduces overall size and weight compared to a separate heat sink. The headlight also has an optical element, like a lens or reflector, molded into the housing instead of a separate component. This further reduces size and weight. The control electronics are accommodated within the housing. The integrated heat sink, molded optical element, and internal electronics all contribute to a more compact and lightweight headlight design.
10. LED Automotive Headlamp Module with Integrated Heat Sink and Internal Fan for Airflow Management
OSRAM SYLVANIA Inc., 2019
LED automotive headlamp module with integrated cooling to improve thermal management of high-power LEDs. The lamp module has a heat sink base with a fan inside. The LED board is mounted inside the heat sink and has an airflow passage. The module attaches to the headlamp reflector socket with flanges that have slots. The heat sink direct airflow past the LEDs, through the slotted flanges into the reflector interior, and rearward to prevent stagnation. This leverages the reflector airflow to cool the LEDs without adding external ducts or fans.
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In order to guarantee the long-term and ideal functioning of vehicle lighting systems, heat regulation is essential. Advanced, long-lasting, and safer automotive lighting is what's to come with innovative heat sink designs and integrated cooling systems.