New RGB chip LED for auto interiors minimises colour variations

ROHM has developed an RGB chip LED, SMLVN6RGBFU, perfect for automotive interiors, including function and status indicators in instrument clusters, CID, and accent lighting for footwells and door handles.

Recently, more driver assistance functions (i.e., automatic speed control, vehicle distance/white line detection) have been introduced as vehicles become progressively electronic and sophisticated. As such, the demand for RGB chip LEDs to express a range of colours to indicate operational status in instrument panels and meter clusters is rising. Also, there is a growing demand to create a comfortable and luxurious cabin space with decorative lighting employing RGB chip LEDs.

In response, the company has developed an RGB chip LED that further reduces colour variation by precisely controlling the luminous characteristics of the RGB elements and enhancing colour mixing via in-house device technology.

Generally, developing RGB chip LEDs that emit light at the specified colour needs precise control of the wavelength and brightness of the mounted red, green, and blue elements individually and methods to improve colour-mixing capability. The company has minimised element colour variation over general products by utilising a vertically integrated production system from the element fabrication stage. At the same time, original element colour mixing control technology lessens colour variations induced by colour mixing that tends to occur in RGB chip LEDs, resulting in accurate colour expression needed in automotive interiors. It also supports detailed colour matching tailored to user specifications with the chromaticity simulation system.

The device sets adjustment coefficients for each chromaticity rank while delivering calibration support to bring the colour closer to the desired target. This new RGB chip LED and high-accuracy chromaticity simulation enables precise colour matching.

Typical applications include indicators for function/status display: instrument clusters, CID, car audio/navigation, heater control, etc.; automotive ambient lighting: footwells, roof, handles, cup holders, etc.