LEDs In Automotive Applications

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LEDs have great potential in automotive lighting because of their long lifetime, reliability, low power consumption, small size and lesser heat generation in comparison to the alternatives. LEDs already are used in several automotive applications, mainly in interior and rear lighting. LEDs have recently been implemented in exterior forward lighting, which is the most demanding automotive lighting application. This eBook reviews how the higher light outputs available in the latest-generation LEDs are opening up a world of new possibilities to stylists, designers and engineers, and how advances in the technology will lead to more widespread use of LED lighting in vehicles, ultimately driving unit cost down. The outlook for LED use in automotive applications is also tracked, and the technology's share of the market predicted to 2013.

Executive Summary

Introduction and Methodology

Introduction
Scope
Methodology
Definitions and Abbreviations

Automotive Lighting Drivers

Introduction
Drivers
- Energy Consumption
- Fuel Efficiency
- Greenhouse Gas Emissions
- Color Quality
- Brightness
- Optical Design
- Lifetime
- Response Time
- Reliability
- Voltage
- Vehicle Range in Electric Cars
Barriers
- Cost
- Thermal Management
- Current Control
- Electrical Noise
- Standards

Application Trends

Introduction
Exterior Rear Lighting
- Brake Lights
- Center High-Mounted Stop Lamps
- Taillights
- Reversing or Back-up Lights
- License Plate Lights
Front Lighting
- Daytime Running Lights
- Headlights
Lateral Lighting
- Turn Signals
- Side Marker Lights
Interior Lighting
- Instrument Lights
- Courtesy Lights
- Map and Reading Lights
- Display Backlighting
Retrofit Lighting
- Dayliners
- Car Messaging Light
- Underbody Lights
- Wheel Lights
Commercial Vehicles
Emergency Vehicles
- Police Vehicles
- Other

Regional Trends

Introduction
Europe
China
LED Chip Market
Asian LED Suppliers

Outlook for Automotive Lighting

Introduction
Trends
- Electric Vehicles
Incumbent Technologies
- Incandescent
- Halogen Incandescent
- High-Intensity Discharge
Outlook

Tables

TABLE 0.1 High-brightness LED revenues in automotive applications, 2008-2013 ($ billion)
TABLE 2.1 Comparison of energy savings between LED lighting and conventional incandescent lights used for daytime running lights
TABLE 2.2 Truck brake lamp voltage

Figures

FIGURE 2.1 Typical turn-on times of a typical incandescent filament bulb and an LED signal light
FIGURE 2.2 Light output of yellow and white LEDs as a function of junction temperature
FIGURE 3.1 Typical applications for HB LEDs in an automobile
FIGURE 3.2 LED taillight in Chevrolet Volt (left), Opel Ampera (center) and Mercedes CLS (right)
FIGURE 3.3 LED license plate lights in a BMW
FIGURE 3.4 LED DRLs in an Audi A4 B8
FIGURE 3.5 Cadillac Escalade's all-LED headlight
FIGURE 3.6 The reflector (left) and projector (right) systems used to obtain required headlight beam patterns.
FIGURE 3.7 LED headlight in Mercedes-Benz CLS (left) and Audi A7 (right)
FIGURE 3.8 Side mirror with LED turn lights
FIGURE 3.9 LED-illuminated instrument console
FIGURE 3.10 Interior LED dome light
FIGURE 3.11 LED map lights in passenger side of car
FIGURE 3.12 LED-backlit in-dash navigation system
FIGURE 3.13 LED lights for retrofitting in automobiles
FIGURE 3.14 LED hood dayliner for Chevrolet Camaro (left), headlight dayliner (right)
FIGURE 3.15 LED messaging light
FIGURE 3.16 Vehicle installed with LED underbody lighting strips
FIGURE 3.17 LEDs installed on car wheels
FIGURE 3.18 Rear of truck showing various LED lights
FIGURE 3.19 LED dome light for interior lighting in trucks
FIGURE 5.1 Global LED penetration in vehicles
FIGURE 5.2 Osram's universal LED system for forward lighting