5 November 2008
G R E E N D E S I G N
Green Lighting Means Go
David Lipson
Green design was a big topic at the IQPC fourth annual Automotive Lighting Design and Technologies conference, which took place in Dearborn, MI on April 29-30. Much of the talk was centred on Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs). They are energy efficient, but their use in headlights currently drains more electricity than incandescent bulbs, says David Hulick, global project manager for OSRAM’s automotive LED systems. Can these trendy bulbs be the industry’s power saviour?
LED headlights are high cost style statements in an elite group of vehicles—but increased consumer interest could lead to advanced performance features, and eventually, energy efficiency.
“Think of it as progression,” says Hulick. “Up until now, they have not been used for primary forward lighting for headlights because the white LEDs haven’t had enough punch. As the white LEDs begin to generate the power required, we’re beginning to see people experiment with them for ways to integrate them into their programs.”
LED front headlights are available in the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L, optional in the Audi R8, and will be available in the Cadillac Escalade Platinum. “No one is going to tell you that the R8 is a mass market headlamp; it is a complicated, highly sophisticated technological achievement,” says Hulick. “As we go down the road 5, 10, 15 years and LEDs become more powerful and less expensive, you will see them begin to fi lter down into other classes of cars.”
Smart systems and green lighting
As LEDs evolve, smart systems will be introduced—what Hulick calls “application flexibility.” These multiple light sources will be able to improve vision and deflect glare.
Improved LED technology will be more environmentally friendly. “The less electricity you use, the more efficient the car is going to be,” says Hulick. “And if you reduce the amount of electricity required, you can reduce the gauge of the wires, you can reduce the size of the alternator, and you can take some weight out of the car.”
OSRAM has introduced their Joule LED signal lighting system that does not use mercury, lead, or cadmium. The company says it uses 85% less energy than traditional incandescent lighting signals, which can save 5.1 gallons of fuel annually per car. “I’m not going to tell you that one of our Joule systems in the back of a car is going to save the world,” says Hulick. “But when we want to find big things to change to make a huge difference— that’s fine—but there are a ton of things any of us can do to incrementally reduce our reliance on energy.” Hulick says the automotive industry is committed to reducing its ecological footprint.
The Future
Students at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, Calif. have a green mentality. “There is a major backlash of the younger generation on larger vehicles— they don’t think they are cool,” says car designer Jason Hill. He is an instructor at the college and considered a vanguard in automotive green design.
He says people use cars to communicate their values. Eco oriented people are looking for the newest innovations in green design, including lighting. “LED is the hot thing,” says Hill. “It’s gone from concept to reality.”
Hill and his firm ‘eleven’ designed the Aptera—a three-wheeled composite body vehicle that looks straight out of the Jetsons. It will be offered as both an all electric and a plug-in electric hybrid.
Hill talks about the Aptera’s lighting: “From the start of the project, using the lowest amount of energy to a specific job has been the top priority. Therefore, all lighting aspects are incorporating the best technology and lowest energy using units we could specify. For example, the entire tail lamp assembly is a collection of LED, including the reverse lamp. The interior lighting is also using LED units to better control the effect that was desired. The front signal lamps (3 per side) are all LED lights. All together, we beat our energy budget on total usage for the vehicle, thereby improving its efficiency even that little bit more.” | 
