Front lighting system for vehicles
By combining transparent shutters and independent light sources in the front lighting system of the motor vehicle, using primary and secondary optics for beam processing, and through beam redirection and total internal reflection, the problem of small light source and insufficient light intensity is solved, and the problem of low light source and insufficient light intensity is achieved Clear beam pattern and efficient light intensity distribution.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202080070086.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-08-22
- Filing Date
- 2020-08-05
- Publication Date
- 2024-12-31
- Estimated Expiration
- 2040-08-05
AI Technical Summary
In existing front lighting systems of motor vehicles, the size limitations of the transparent shutters result in a small light source and insufficient light intensity, especially in high beam patterns, which makes it difficult to provide sufficient light intensity to ensure a bright and clear field of view of the driver.
A front lighting system was designed using a transparent shutter combined with independent low and high beam light sources, beam processing is performed through primary and secondary optics, and the air-exposed slit of the transparent shutter is used for beam processing. Redirecting, reducing light loss, and increasing beam concentration and light intensity through total internal reflection.
It effectively avoids the appearance of dark areas, provides clear light and dark cutoff lines, improves the light intensity of the high beam pattern and the quality of the light beam, so that larger-sized light sources can be used to meet the driver's field of vision needs.
Smart Images
Figure CN114466993B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of motor vehicle front lighting, and in particular to a front lighting system for a vehicle. Background Art
[0002] Nowadays, dual-function multi-ellipsoid system (PES) solutions for headlamps are widely used in automotive lighting. Generally, in this solution, an opaque shield is used to achieve the ability to switch between high beam (also called upper beam) and low beam (also called lower beam). In this method, due to the thickness of the opaque shield itself, there are dark areas in the final projected beam pattern, especially between high beam and low beam.
[0003] In order to avoid the dark areas as indicated above, it has been proposed to use a transparent mask instead of an opaque mask in a motor vehicle lighting system, see, for example, WO2018192963A1 and CN205619152U. However, due to the size limitations of optical elements (such as the transparent mask itself), the light beam input from the light source (such as a low-beam light source and a high-beam light source) should be narrow enough to avoid, for example, undesired refraction of the transparent mask at some edges of the transparent mask, with the aim of reducing the loss of light and improving the quality of the beam pattern. For this reason, in conventional front lighting systems for vehicles, especially front lighting systems equipped with transparent masks, a single low-beam light source and also a single high-beam light source, especially both of which have small lateral dimensions, are used. Although this helps to avoid the dark shadows caused by the opaque mask between the low-beam pattern and the high-beam pattern, there are indeed problems due to the small size limitations and the low light intensity of the further light source itself. These problems are extremely noteworthy for the high-beam pattern, because it is usually required to provide a sufficiently strong light intensity to give the driver a bright and clear view. Summary of the invention
[0004] The present invention provides a front lighting system for a vehicle so as to obviate or at least mitigate one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages.
[0005] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a front lighting system for a vehicle is provided. The front lighting system includes a first light source, a second light source, a first primary optical device, a second primary optical device, a transparent shield and a secondary optical device. Preferably, the first light source includes a low-beam light source, and the second light source includes a high-beam light source, and vice versa. In this way, two independent light sources are used to provide a high-beam pattern and a low-beam pattern, respectively.
[0006] Specifically, the first primary optical device is designed to receive light from the first light source and project it onto the transparent baffle and the secondary optical device. As an example, the first primary optical device can be selected as a first reflector and / or include a reflective light incoupling surface. Alternatively, a first collimator can also be used, and / or a refractive light incoupling surface can be included in the first primary optical device. In the case where the first primary optical device is designed to be a first collimator, not only can the light from the first light source be projected onto the transparent baffle and the secondary optical device, but also beam shaping of the same light can be obtained. In addition, in addition to collimation, the refractive light incoupling surface of the first primary optical device can also be configured for near-field focusing.
[0007] In a similar manner, a second primary optical device is also provided, which is designed to receive light from a second light source and project it onto a transparent baffle. Similarly, the second primary optical device can be selected as a second reflector or a second collimator. Specifically, the second reflector is configured to reflect the light emitted by the second light source toward the transparent baffle. As for the second collimator, it is arranged to collimate the light emitted by the second light source toward the transparent baffle. In other words, the second reflector and the collimator are used in this article to perform preliminary processing on the light emitted from the second light source before it enters the transparent baffle. In addition, the second collimator also helps to shape the light beam emitted from the second light source. In a specific embodiment, the second collimator can also be integrated with the transparent baffle, such as on its entrance side facing the second light source. Similar to the first primary optical device, the second primary optical device can also include a light incoupling surface, especially a reflective or refracting light incoupling surface. In this case, not only the projection of the light from the second light source can be obtained, but also the collimation or near-field focusing of the same light will be achieved.
[0008] In addition, the transparent shield is designed to receive light from the first light source via the first primary optical device and prevent its low-beam portion from entering the secondary optical device. In this case, the low-beam portion of the light coming out of the first light source does not form any image through the secondary optical device, and only its high-beam portion enters the secondary optical device. For example, if the first light source is selected as a low-beam light source, this helps to form a low-beam pattern with a clear light-dark cut-off line. In this way, the dark area between the two beam patterns, such as the high-beam pattern and the low-beam pattern, caused by any traditional opaque shield can also be avoided. In addition, with respect to the second beam portion emitted from the second light source, the transparent shield is designed to receive it via the second primary optical device and then project it onto the secondary optical device. In combination with the secondary optical device, a second beam pattern, such as a high-beam pattern (if the second light source is selected as a high-beam light source) can be projected onto the road.
[0009] Specifically, in an alternative embodiment, the secondary optics is designed to receive light from both the first primary optics and the transparent shield and project it onto the road in front of the vehicle.As an alternative example of the above embodiment, a projection lens may be used as the secondary optics.
[0010] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the front lighting system proposed above, the transparent baffle further comprises an air-exposed slit, which is engraved in the transparent baffle and is further configured to redirect the light received by the transparent baffle from the second light source toward the middle axis of the transparent baffle. According to an exemplary embodiment of the above embodiment, the transparent baffle may be shaped as a cylindrical portion having the air-exposed slit, and the middle axis will be the axis of symmetry of the cylindrical portion. By providing such a configuration for the air-exposed slit so that the light received by the transparent baffle from the second light source is redirected toward the middle axis of the transparent baffle, a portion of the light beam incident on the transparent baffle from the second light source is allowed to be more concentrated toward the middle portion of the transparent baffle (compared to toward the outside of the transparent baffle). This at least helps to reduce a larger input light beam (such as from the second light source) into a smaller input light beam, thereby helping to reduce light loss, for example due to reduced outward refraction at the outside of the transparent baffle.
[0011] In an optional embodiment of the present invention, the transparent baffle includes different optical surfaces, such as a light outcoupling surface, at which the light is outcoupled from the transparent baffle toward the secondary optical device. The light outcoupling surface is designed to be flat or have a free shape, for example, thereby allowing a change in the outcoupling angle and / or distribution of the output light. Preferably, in the exemplary instance of the above-mentioned embodiment according to the present invention, the slit exposed to air is also designed to redirect the light received by the transparent baffle from the second light source into a concentrated light spot on the light outcoupling surface of the transparent baffle. In this case, the light coming out of the second light source and incident into the transparent baffle is not only redirected more toward the middle section of the transparent baffle, but also concentrated into a light spot, in particular a narrowed light spot, on the light outcoupling surface of the transparent baffle. Further preferably, the concentrated light spot on the light outcoupling surface of the transparent baffle, as redirected by the slit exposed to air, also includes such a distribution that the light intensity is maximum at the center of the light spot and gradually decreases toward its outer edge. In this way, if a high-beam light source is used as the second light source, a light spot having a desired light intensity distribution may be output, such as a high-beam portion for a final beam pattern projected onto the road.
[0012] Schematically, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention, in the above-proposed front lighting system for a vehicle, the slit exposed to the air of the transparent baffle extends perpendicular to the propagation direction of the light from the second light source in the transparent baffle. The vertical extension of the slit exposed to the air in the transparent baffle allows the light input from the second light source to be effectively and optionally symmetrically redirected toward the middle partition of the transparent baffle, thereby minimizing the light loss caused by such redirection. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the transparent baffle is formed as a cylindrical portion having the slit exposed to the air, and the propagation direction of the light from the second light source is approximately downward along the symmetry axis of the cylindrical portion. In this case, in the transparent baffle, the extension direction of the slit exposed to the air will be orthogonal to the symmetry axis of the cylindrical portion.
[0013] In the front lighting system for a vehicle proposed above, not only a transparent shield is used, but also a slit exposed to air is carved therein for redirecting at least the light input from the second light source, so that on the one hand the shield does not cause a shadow of light transmission, and on the other hand, part of the light input from the second light source is concentrated in size and optionally provided with a desired light intensity distribution. In this case, a second light source of a larger size is allowed to be used, or a plurality of second light sources, for example, configured in an array, may be used, thus enabling the potential acquisition of a desired high-beam pattern having a desired light intensity and a total amount of light output from the front lighting system if a high-beam light source is used as the second light source.
[0014] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, in the above-proposed front lighting system for a vehicle, the second light source includes a plurality of sub-light sources arranged in an array of, for example, (2m+1) rows and (2n+3) columns, wherein both m and n are integers equal to or greater than 0. In the above-described embodiment, further optionally, the slit exposed to the air includes one or more sub-slits, each of which extends parallel to a corresponding row of sub-light sources. As can be seen, in the proposed front lighting system, a plurality of individuals in one or more rows are used for the second light source, and therefore, one or more sub-slits are provided, wherein each sub-slit is associated with a corresponding row of sub-light sources. For example, if a transparent shield is provided above the array of sub-light sources of the second light source, wherein the light from the second light source passes through the transparent shield from bottom to top, each sub-slit will extend horizontally above a corresponding row of sub-light sources.
[0015] Furthermore, in the exemplary instance of the above-described embodiment, each sub-slit further includes two side portions, each of which is located on either side of a middle portion of the transparent shield, which middle portion is not affected by the slit exposed to the air, i.e., is not affected by one or more sub-slits. In other words, in a front lighting system as proposed by the present invention, the transparent shield includes a middle portion (hereinafter also referred to as a middle partition), such as a cylindrical portion around its middle axis, and each sub-slit consists of two independent side portions, each of which is located on either side of the middle portion of the transparent shield. This means that each sub-slit does not cut through the transparent shield, at least there is no perforation in the middle portion of the transparent shield. This helps to keep the transparent shield in a one-piece construction, and also makes the manufacture or processing of the transparent shield easier.
[0016] According to an exemplary embodiment of the above-described embodiment, in the transparent baffle of the front lighting system, each sub-slit further includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. Specifically, the first surface of each sub-slit is positioned closer to a light incident surface of the transparent baffle than the second surface, wherein the light from the second light source is incident on the light incident surface. As an example, if the transparent baffle is positioned above the second light source, and the light from the second light source propagates from bottom to top within the transparent baffle, the first and second surfaces of each sub-slit will be a lower surface and an upper surface, respectively. In addition, both the first surface and the second surface include at least portions located at two sides of each sub-slit, which are shaped so that the light incident thereon is redirected to be inclined toward the middle portion of the transparent baffle, especially with respect to the middle-positioned sub-slit. It should be indicated that in the above expression, the term "middle-positioned sub-slit" refers to having an equal number of sub-slits on either side thereof. In other words, if an odd number of rows of sub-slits are provided, the middle-positioned sub-slit should be the sub-slit sandwiched in the middle, so, for example, if the total number of rows is counted as 3, it means the second one, if the total number of rows is counted as 5, it means the third one, and so on. In addition, according to an optional embodiment of the present invention, each sub-slit of the transparent mask also includes an inner surface that is perpendicular to the propagation direction of the light received from the second light source within the transparent mask. Again, for example, if the transparent mask is positioned above the second light source and the light from the second light source propagates from bottom to top within the transparent mask, the sub-slit extends horizontally within the transparent mask, and its inner surface can be a horizontal plane that cuts through the sub-slit in the middle. Further preferably, in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention, the first surface and the second surface of each sub-slit are configured to be mirror-symmetrical to each other relative to the inner surface of the corresponding sub-slit, making it easier to carve the sub-slit within the transparent mask and provide precise control over the redirection of the light coming out of the second light source.
[0017] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, in the front lighting system for a vehicle proposed above, a plurality of sub-light sources are arranged in an array of 1 row and (2n+3) columns, wherein n is an integer equal to or greater than 0, which means that the second light source includes only one row of sub-light sources. In this case, the slit exposed to the air correspondingly includes a single sub-slit. In an exemplary example of the above embodiment, for a single sub-slit of the transparent shield, the first surface includes two side sections, which are respectively located on either side of the middle portion of the transparent shield. Optionally, each side section of the first surface of the single sub-slit is curved, in particular convex toward the second light source. Alternatively, each side section of the first surface of the single sub-slit includes an inclined surface, wherein a portion of the inclined surface adjacent to the middle portion of the transparent shield is spaced farthest from the second light source compared to the rest of the portion thereof. Further alternatively, each side section of the first surface of the single sub-slit includes a stepped surface having one or more steps. According to an exemplary example, each step includes a curved surface convex toward the second light source. According to another exemplary example, each step includes two facets: a first facet and a second facet. The first facet is configured to be perpendicular to the inner surface of the single sub-slit. The second facet is inclined, and a portion thereof is closest to the middle portion of the transparent shield, wherein this closest portion of the second facet is farthest from the second light source compared to the remaining portion of the second facet. In a similar manner, the second surface of the single sub-slit also includes two side sections, wherein each side section is located on either side of the middle portion of the transparent shield. In particular, for a single sub-slit, the second surface is mirror-symmetrical to the first surface relative to its inner surface. Therefore, based on the above-mentioned detailed structure of the first surface, a person skilled in the art can easily obtain the specific structure of the second surface, and therefore, for simplicity, it will not be repeated herein.
[0018] According to another embodiment of the above-mentioned front lighting system, the transparent baffle is also designed to project the light received from the second light source via the second primary optical device onto the secondary optical device by total internal reflection. The total internal reflection in the transparent baffle helps to fold the light path so as to keep the first light source and the second light source (such as a low beam light source and a high beam light source) away from each other throughout the system. For example, in the assembled system, the high beam light source and the low beam light source can be located at a distance greater than 20 mm. In this way, heat dissipation can be improved, and the color non-uniformity of the final beam pattern can also be reduced. As a further preferred example, total internal reflection can occur once or multiple times within the transparent baffle, which facilitates further reducing the size of the front lighting system. In this way, the horizontal and / or vertical dimensions of the front lighting system can be shortened, and the entire system becomes more compact.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiment of the front lighting system described above, the first light source is placed in the first focal plane of the first primary optical device, and the second light source is placed in the first focal plane of the second primary optical device. In addition, the transparent baffle is placed in one or more of the second focal plane of the first primary optical device, the second focal plane of the second primary optical device, and the focal plane of the secondary optical device, especially in all three focal planes at the same time. Preferably, the transparent baffle is placed in the focus of these focal planes. Obviously, those skilled in the art who have benefited from the teachings of the present invention can conceive of other positioning of various components in the front lighting system, such as the first primary optical device, the second primary optical device, the secondary optical device, the transparent baffle and the two light sources. The present invention should not be limited to those settings in the corresponding focal planes or focuses.
[0020] According to an optional embodiment of the present invention, in the above-mentioned proposed front lighting system for a vehicle, the transparent baffle is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). However, it should be noted that based on the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art will easily obtain other suitable materials for the transparent baffle and the slits exposed to the air engraved therein, as well as suitable manufacturing or processing processes. The present invention should not be limited in this regard. According to an exemplary embodiment, the transparent baffle in the above-mentioned front lighting system can be manufactured as a one-piece plastic component by injection molding, and the slits exposed to the air can be engraved therein, for example, by laser means. Obviously, this is disclosed only as an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.
[0021] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that two or more of the above disclosed embodiments, implementations and / or aspects of the present invention may be combined in any manner deemed useful. Based on the disclosure of the present disclosure, those skilled in the art may implement different modifications and variations to the front lighting system for a vehicle. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] These and other aspects of the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate embodiments and form a part of the present invention. In particular, in the drawings:
[0023] Figure 1 A front lighting system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the front lighting system includes a reflector and a collimator;
[0024] Figure 2 The enlarged view of a part of the front lighting system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 1 Indicated by a dashed box;
[0025] 3( a ) and 3( b ) schematically show simulation results of light intensity distribution on a vertical screen positioned in front of a front lighting system for a vehicle, the front lighting system being provided with and without slits exposed to air in a transparent shield, respectively;
[0026] Figure 4 Schematically shows an enlarged view of a part of a front lighting system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Indicated by a dashed box;
[0027] Figure 5 Schematically shows an enlarged view of a portion of a front lighting system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention, the portion being Figure 1 Indicated by a dashed box;
[0028] Figure 6 A front lighting system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the front lighting system comprises a low-beam light source, a low-beam reflector, a high-beam light source and a high-beam collimator, and the high-beam collimator is integrated with a transparent shield; and
[0029] Figure 7 A front lighting system for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown, wherein the front lighting system includes a low-beam light source, a low-beam collimator, a high-beam light source and a high-beam reflector. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] Although the present invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, only one or more specific embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, it being understood that this description is considered as an exemplification of the basic principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to only the specific embodiments shown and described herein.
[0031] It should be noted that the various components in different figures are not drawn to scale. In addition, the relative positions between the various elements shown in the various figures are only used to illustrate the basic principles of the present invention and should not be considered to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0032] refer to Figure 1According to an embodiment of the present invention, a front lighting system 10 for a vehicle is proposed. Specifically, the front lighting system 10 mainly includes a first light source BS1, a second light source BS2, a first primary optical device 11, a second primary optical device 12, a secondary optical device 13 and a transparent baffle 14. Preferably, in the front lighting system 10 proposed above, the first light source BS1 is configured to provide a low beam pattern, that is, to act as a low beam light source, and at the same time, the second light source BS2 is configured to provide a high beam pattern, that is, to act as a high beam light source. Alternatively, for another configuration of the transparent baffle 14, it can also be the other way around. That is, the low beam pattern is provided by the second light source BS2, and the first light source BS1 is used as a high beam light source. In the case where Figure 1 In the specific embodiment shown, the first primary optical device 11 is selected as a reflector, the second primary optical device 12 is a collimator, and the secondary optical device 13 is selected as a projection lens. In addition, the first light source BS1 is located in the focal plane of the reflector 11, especially in the focus, and the transparent baffle 14 is located in another focal plane of the same reflector 11, especially in another focus. Obviously, for the purpose of explaining the basic principles of the present invention, this special arrangement of the first light source BS1 and the transparent baffle 14 relative to the focus of the reflector 11 is only disclosed as a specific example. Those skilled in the art who have benefited from the teachings of the present invention will find that some other alternatives are easily obtained. In a similar manner, the second light source BS2 can also be located in the focal plane of the second primary optical device 12, especially in the focus, and the transparent baffle 14 is located in another focal plane of the second primary optical device 12, especially in another focus. In addition, the transparent baffle 14 itself can also be located in the focal plane of the secondary optical device 13, especially in the focus. Again, this special positioning in the corresponding focal plane or focus should not be interpreted as limiting.
[0033] In Ruyou Figure 1 In the specific embodiment shown, the first primary optical device 11, i.e., the reflector 11 (also indicated as the first primary reflector), is configured to receive light from the first light source BS1 and then project a portion of it onto the transparent mask 14 and a portion of it onto the secondary optical device 13. With respect to the portion of light projected onto the transparent mask 14 by the first primary reflector, its low-beam portion will be blocked from entering the projection lens. In particular, as Figure 1As shown in , the low-beam portion of the light from the first primary optical device 11 is refracted away from the secondary optical device 13 and may eventually be absorbed elsewhere within the system. In this case, the low-beam portion of the light from the first primary optical device 11 will not form any image through the secondary optical device 13. In particular, in the case where the first light source BS1 is configured as a low-beam light source, only the high-beam portion of the light emitted by the low-beam light source can pass through the projection lens, thereby forming a low-beam pattern with a clear bright-dark cutoff line.
[0034] In addition, a discussion related to another beam portion, namely the beam portion emitted by the second light source BS2, is provided below. Figure 1 , the transparent baffle 14 is further configured to receive light from the second light source BS2 via the second primary optical device 12 and project it onto the secondary optical device 13. In particular, the second light can be horizontally projected from the transparent baffle 14 onto the secondary optical device 13. In this case, the projection of the light from the second light source BS2 (received via the second primary optical device 12) onto the secondary optical device 13 is obtained by means of total internal reflection within the transparent baffle 14. Optionally, as Figure 1 As shown in the case Figure 1 The 90° turn of the light propagation direction can only occur once in the transparent shield 14. After total internal reflection, the second beam pattern, such as a high-beam pattern if the second light source BS2 is configured as a high-beam light source, will be projected onto the road in front of the vehicle by the secondary optical device 13. Also, in an optional example, a projection lens can be used as the secondary optical device 13, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
[0035] In the case where the transparent shield 14 is incorporated into the front lighting system 1 for a vehicle, the conventional opaque shield is replaced, and no dark area will be observed in the final projected beam pattern, especially between the high beam pattern and the low beam pattern. This is clearly different from the beam pattern obtained by the existing headlamp equipped with an opaque shield. In other words, in the front lighting system 1 for a vehicle proposed by the present invention, a clear light-dark cutoff line is formed in the projected low beam pattern without any shadow.
[0036] In addition, the same Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the transparent shield 14 in the above-mentioned proposed front lighting system 1 further comprises a light outcoupling surface 141, at which light is outcoupled toward the secondary optical device 13. The light outcoupling surface 141 is preferably designed to be flat or have a free shape, which helps to change the angle and / or distribution of the outcoupled light.
[0037] Continue to refer Figure 1In the front lighting system 1 for a vehicle proposed above, the transparent shield 14 further includes a slit 15 exposed to the air, and the slit 15 exposed to the air is composed of two curved portions, for example, located on the left and right sides, respectively. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the slits 15 exposed to air are engraved in the transparent baffle 14 and are further configured to redirect the light received by the transparent baffle 14 from the second light source BS2 (particularly, via the second primary optics 12 ) toward the middle axis X of the transparent baffle 14 . Figure 1 In the embodiment of the invention, the transparent shield 14 comprises a lower cylindrical portion having a symmetrical middle axis X, wherein a slit 15 exposed to air is engraved in the lower cylindrical portion. Figure 1 As shown in , the slit 15 exposed to air consists of two side portions located on the respective sides of the middle axis X of the transparent shield 14. In this case, the part of light coming out of the second light source BS2 and entering the transparent shield 14 (especially the side portions on the left and right sides thereof) will be incident on the slit 15 exposed to air and thereby refracted toward the middle axis X of the transparent shield 14. See, for example Figure 1 This helps to focus the incident light beam from the second light source BS2 toward the middle axis X of the transparent shield 14, thereby helping to reduce the size of the second light beam and also avoiding the loss of light caused by other means, such as outward refraction at the outer edge of the transparent shield 14.
[0038] Further references Figure 1 In the front lighting system 10 proposed above, both the second light source BS2 and its second primary optical device 12 are arranged directly below the transparent shield 14, particularly below the lower cylindrical portion thereof. In this case, the second light portion coming out of the second light source BS2 via the second primary optical device 12 is incident on the lower surface of the lower cylindrical portion of the transparent shield 14, refracted into the lower surface of the lower cylindrical portion of the transparent shield 14, and then propagates through it from bottom to top (i.e., propagates vertically in the figure). In addition, as Figure 1 As shown in , in the transparent baffle 14, the slit 15 exposed to the air has a horizontal extension direction Y, which is perpendicular to the middle axis X of the transparent baffle 14 that forms the propagation direction of the light from the second light source BS2. This helps to effectively redirect the light toward the middle axis X of the transparent baffle 14. It should be understood that the light coming out of the second light source BS2 may also experience some reflection and / or refraction when passing through the transparent baffle 14, but the propagation direction herein refers to the general direction in which the light from the second light source BS2 travels through the entire transparent baffle 14. Therefore, in the case as shown by Figure 1In the illustrated embodiment, the propagation direction of the light from the second light source BS2 is vertical in the lower portion of the transparent shield 14, but becomes horizontal in the upper portion of the transparent shield 14. Having benefited from the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art should easily understand the meaning of the term "propagation direction of the light from the second light source in the transparent shield" according to different structural forms of the transparent shield.
[0039] refer to Figure 2 , showing an enlarged view of a portion of a front lighting system for a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention, the portion consisting of Figure 1 , and apparently includes at least a second light source, a second primary optical device, and a portion of a transparent shield including a slit exposed to air. Figure 2 As shown in , according to an embodiment of the present invention, the second light source includes a plurality of sub-light sources arranged in an array, for example, five sub-light sources BS20 arranged in 1 row and 5 columns. Therefore, the second primary optical device may also include five sub-optical devices 220, wherein each sub-optical device 220 is configured to receive light from a corresponding sub-light source BS20 and redirect it toward the transparent shield 24. It should be noted that, as Figure 2 The total number of five sub-light sources and the corresponding five sub-optical devices shown in the figure is only used as an example to help understand the technical essence of the present invention, rather than to limit the scope of protection of the present invention. In fact, in actual implementations, those skilled in the art who have benefited from the teachings of the present invention should easily think of other suitable numbers and / or arrangements of sub-light sources and sub-optical devices, such as multiple sub-light sources in an array of (2m+1) rows and (2n+3) columns, where both m and n are integers equal to or greater than 0, and / or one or more sub-optical devices, each sub-optical device corresponding to a single sub-light source, a row of sub-light sources, a column of sub-light sources, or a sub-light source array.
[0040] Continue to refer Figure 2 In the case where the second light source includes a plurality of sub-light sources BS20, the slit exposed to the air of the transparent shielding plate 24 consists of only a single sub-slit 25, which extends along a direction Y parallel to the row of sub-light sources BS20 located directly below, and is therefore perpendicular to the middle axis X of the transparent shielding plate 24. Specifically, Figure 2As shown in the figures, the only sub-slit 25 includes two independent side portions 251, 252, which are located on either side of the middle portion 240 of the transparent baffle 24 (indicated by the dashed shaded area in each figure), wherein the middle portion 240 of the transparent baffle 24 refers to, for example, a cylindrical portion of the transparent baffle 24 centered at its middle axis X. In particular, the sub-slit 25 is also formed to have a first surface 25L and a second surface 25U (i.e., the lower surface and the upper surface in each figure) opposite to each other, wherein the first lower surface 25L is positioned closer to the light incident surface (i.e., the lower surface) of the transparent baffle 24 than the second upper surface 25U. Preferably, the first surface 25L and the second surface 25U of the sub-slit 25 are mirror-symmetrical to each other with respect to the inner side surface of the sub-slit 25, and the inner side surface 240 is indicated by the dashed shaded area in each figure. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the inner surface is, for example, a horizontal plane that cuts through the sub-slit 25 in the middle. Figure 2 , the first lower surface 25L of the sub-slit 25 includes two side sections located at the two side portions 251 and 252 of the sub-slit 25, that is, the left side section is the lower surface of the left side portion 251, and the right side section is the lower surface of the right side portion 252. The same applies to the second upper surface 25U of the sub-slit 25, that is, including the left side section as the upper surface of the left side portion 251 and the right side section as the upper surface of the right side portion 252.
[0041] According to, for example, Figure 2 In the optional embodiment shown, both the left side portion 251 and the right side portion 252 of the sub-slit 25 have corresponding lower surfaces that protrude toward the array of sub-light sources BS20 (i.e., toward the second light source), and have corresponding upper surfaces that protrude away from the array of sub-light sources BS20 (i.e., away from the second light source), and in particular have the same curvature as the corresponding lower surfaces. This helps to refract the light received from the sub-light source BS20 (such as via the second primary optical device) at the sub-slit 25, specifically, at the upper and lower surfaces of its two side portions 251, 252, thereby changing them to be more inclined toward the middle portion 240 of the transparent baffle 24. The effect of the inclination toward the middle portion 240 of the transparent baffle 24 can be clearly seen from the simulation results in Figures 3(a) and 3(b), which show the simulated light intensity distribution on a vertical screen positioned in front of a front lighting system, the front lighting system being provided with and without slits exposed to air in the transparent baffle, respectively. As shown, when no slits exposed to air are provided in the transparent shield, the simulated light intensity distribution presents a multi-maxima pattern, such as the three-maxima pattern in FIG3( a). In contrast, if slits exposed to air are introduced into the transparent shield (such as Figure 23(b)). Obviously, this is because the slits exposed to the air cause the light to tilt toward the middle part of the transparent baffle. Further preferably, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a single concentrated light spot on the light outcoupling surface of the transparent baffle also shows a distribution of light intensity, so that the light intensity is maximum at the center, but gradually decreases toward the outer edge. If the second light source is configured as a high-beam light source, this is beneficial for providing a desired light intensity distribution, for example, to a high-beam pattern such as projected onto the road ahead of the vehicle.
[0042] In addition to the single maximum characteristic, as is also apparent from the comparison between FIG. 3( a) and FIG. 3( b) , when the slit exposed to air is provided within the transparent shield, the size of the entire pattern on the light outcoupling surface of the transparent shield is also reduced. This means that a large input light beam can be narrowed when passing through the slit exposed to air of the transparent shield, thereby facilitating the use of a larger-sized high-beam light source compared to a slit not exposed to air, or making it possible to use an array of sub-light sources rather than a single sub-light source thereof for the second high-beam light source. In this way, the high-beam pattern ultimately projected onto the road ahead of the vehicle can be provided with a higher, concentrated light intensity, thereby making it more conducive to use in actual vehicle applications.
[0043] Reference Figure 4 and Figure 5 , according to different embodiments of the present invention, an alternative configuration of the slits exposed to air in the transparent shield of the proposed front lighting system is shown. Figure 2 ,exist Figure 4 and Figure 5 Of the two, only Figure 1 An enlarged view of the portion of the front lighting system indicated by the dashed box. Figure 4 and Figure 5 The same or similar reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components, such as a row of sub-light sources BS20 for the second light source, a corresponding row of second primary optics with sub-optics 420, 520, transparent shields 44, 54 and their middle portions 440, 540, and sub-slits 45, 55 of the slits exposed to air. Figure 2 Those discussions, in Figure 4 and Figure 5In both cases, the light coming out of the sub-light source BS20 is also projected upward by the second primary sub-optical device 420, 520, and then is incident on the transparent shielding plate 44, 54, and propagates from bottom to top through it. In addition, with the introduction of the slits (especially the sub-slits 45, 55) exposed to the air, the light propagating through the transparent shielding plate 44, 54 will encounter refraction at least at the lower and upper surfaces of the sub-slits 45, 55, which is again similar to Figure 2 .
[0044] However, with Figure 2 The difference is that Figure 4-Figure 5 The sub-slits 45, 55 in are now provided with different configurations. Specifically, Figure 4 The lower surface 45L of the sub-slit 45 in the transparent shield 44 is formed to include two inclined side sections, namely, a left inclined section and a right inclined section, each of which gradually rises from the outer edge (left edge or right edge) of the transparent shield 44 toward the middle portion 440. Figure 4 The upper surface 45U of the sub-slit 45 in the transparent shield 44 also includes a left inclined section and a right inclined section, but each of them gradually descends from the outer edge (left edge or right edge) of the transparent shield 44 toward the middle portion 440, preferably having the same slope as the corresponding left inclined section or right inclined section of the lower surface 45L. Due to similar refraction toward the middle portion 440 of the transparent shield 44, if a high-beam light source is used as the sub-light source BS20, Figure 4 The sub-slits 45 in FIG. 4 also contribute to the smaller size and single maximum value high beam pattern outcoupling from the transparent mask 44 .
[0045] Go to Figure 5 In the enlarged view of FIG. 5 , the lower surface 55L of the sub-slit 55 is formed to include two stepped side sections, namely a left side section and a right side section, each of which includes one or more steps 5500. Figure 5 In a further enlarged view of the sub-slit 55 (indicated by the dotted ellipse), each step 5500 of the sub-slit 55 includes two facets 5501 and 5502. For example, relative to the lower surface 55L of the sub-slit 55, the first facet 5501 is configured to be vertical, that is, perpendicular to the horizontal inner surface of the sub-slit 55, while the second facet 5502 is inclined, especially gradually rising in the direction from the outer edge (left edge or right edge) of the transparent shield 54 toward the middle portion 540. Similarly, the upper surface 55U of the sub-slit 55 also includes a first facet 5501 and a second facet 5502, wherein the first facet 5501 is also vertical, but the second facet 5502 is inclined, especially gradually descending in the direction from the outer edge (left edge or right edge) of the transparent shield 54 toward the middle portion 540, which is similar to Figure 4 The inclined section shown in . Similar to Figure 4As discussed above, each step 5500 of the sub-slit 55 helps redirect the light incident thereon to be more oblique toward the middle portion 540 of the transparent shield 54, thereby collectively helping to form a small-sized and single-maximum high-beam pattern on the light outcoupling surface of the transparent shield 54 if a high-beam light source is used as the sub-light source BS20. It should be noted herein that although Figure 5 It is not shown in the above embodiment of the present invention, but each step 5500 of the sub-slit 55 may alternatively be designed to include a single curved surface instead of the first and second facets. In this case, the single curved surface may be formed in the same manner as Figure 2 The sub-slit 25 is shaped in a similar manner, that is, the lower surface 55L of the sub-slit 55 protrudes toward the second sub-light source BS20, while the upper surface 55U of the sub-slit 55 protrudes in the opposite direction (that is, away from the second sub-light source BS20). Similarly, this is beneficial to concentrate the light incident on the sub-slit 55 to be more inclined toward the middle portion 540 of the transparent shielding plate 54.
[0046] Figure 6 A front lighting system 60 for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 6 The front lighting system 60 in the embodiment of the present invention is basically the same as that in the embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 Therefore, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar components, such as the first primary optics 61 (especially the first primary reflector), the secondary optics 63, and the slit 65 exposed to air. Figure 6 and Figure 1 The difference between the two lies in two aspects. In the first aspect, the first light source BS1 is now Figure 6 In the second aspect, the second light source BS2 is designated as a low beam light source LBS, and correspondingly, the second light source BS2 is a high beam light source HBS. Figure 6 The high beam primary optical device (such as a high beam collimator) in the embodiment forms the collimating part of the transparent shield. That is, the transparent shield and the second primary collimator are now integrated with each other to form a single-piece component 600. Here, Figure 6 The collimating portion of the integral component 600 in is specifically arranged to collimate the light emitted from the high beam light source HBS towards the shield portion thereof. Figure 1 With the second collimator in the high beam, beam shaping of the high beam can be achieved in this way. Figure 1 The difference is that in Figure 6 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6 , beam shaping of the light emitted from the high-beam light source HBS takes place within the one-piece component 600 , which may be beneficial for improving the quality of the high-beam light.
[0047] Figure 7 Another alternative front lighting system 70 for a vehicle according to another embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 7 The front lighting system 70 is almost the same as Figure 1 Therefore, similar reference numerals are used to indicate similar components, such as a transparent shield 74, a secondary optical device 73, and a slit 75 exposed to air. Figure 7 and Figure 1 The difference between the two lies in two aspects. In the first aspect, the first light source BS1 is now Figure 7 In the second aspect, the second light source BS2 is designated as a low beam light source LBS, and correspondingly, the second light source BS2 is a high beam light source HBS. Figure 7 The first primary optical device is designed to be a first collimator 71, not a first reflector; and the second primary optical device is changed to a second reflector 72, not a second collimator. In this case, the first collimator 71 not only helps to achieve the projection of the light from the low-beam light source LBS onto the transparent mask 74 and the secondary optical device 73, but also helps to achieve beam shaping of the same light. In addition, the second reflector 72 will help to fold the propagation path of the light coming out of the high-beam light source HBS. The following instructions are important: in Figure 1 and Figure 7 Only two specific embodiments are shown in which the light from the first light source is reflected but the light from the second light source is refracted (see Figure 1 ), and the light from the first light source is refracted but the light from the second light source is reflected (see Figure 7 ). This should not be construed as limiting the present invention. In fact, having benefited from the teachings of the present invention, those skilled in the art should readily understand other similar embodiments, such as light from both the first and second light sources is reflected, or light from both the first and second light sources is refracted, and all these alternatives should be included within the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0048] It should be noted that, although in each figure, the total internal reflection of the light from the second light source is shown as occurring only once, this should not be interpreted as limiting the present invention. In fact, those skilled in the art who have benefited from the teachings of the present invention will easily think of other suitable configurations of the transparent shield, so that the total internal reflection of the light from the second light source occurs more than once in the transparent shield. With the aid of multiple total internal reflections, the second light source (such as a high-beam light source) can be installed on the same side as the first light source (such as a low-beam light source). That is, the vertical distance between the two light sources can be greatly reduced, and the large spacing is mainly achieved by the horizontal distance between them. In this way, the vertical space of the front lighting system will be significantly shortened, and thus the entire system becomes very compact at least in the vertical direction. In addition, in the case of multiple total internal reflections, the light path in the front lighting system can be folded so that based on the actual implementation, the first light source (such as a low-beam light source) will be kept away from the second light source (such as a high-beam light source) in space. This helps to provide design flexibility, excellent heat dissipation feasibility, and less color non-uniformity.
[0049] It is also important to note that the rays shown in the various figures represent only a portion of the rays within the entire optical system, not all of them. In fact, the rays shown in all figures are only used as representative examples to illustrate the basic principles of the present invention, and obviously should not be interpreted as an exhaustive example of all the rays within the entire system.
[0050] Different options may be used with respect to materials and manufacturing or processing techniques suitable for the transparent shield. For example, in an embodiment, the transparent shield may be prepared as a single-piece component by injection molding, such as by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate (PC), or other plastic materials. Obviously, materials other than plastics and processes other than injection molding may also be used depending on the specific circumstances, and the present invention should not be limited in this regard.
[0051] It should also be noted that although the transparent baffle is shown in cross-sectional view and appears to have a flat profile in all figures of the present invention, the actual 3D shape of the transparent baffle, especially the transparent baffle in which the slits exposed to the air are introduced, may be quite complex. In some embodiments, the transparent baffle may be designed to have a flat profile. Alternatively, in other embodiments, the transparent baffle may be designed as a curved body that may have a free-form profile. In both the drawings and the specification, the specific illustrations of different profiles of the baffle should not be interpreted as limiting, but should be regarded as exemplary disclosures.
[0052] It should also be noted that the above-described embodiments illustrate rather than limit the present invention, and those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in conjunction with some embodiments, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific form as set forth herein. On the contrary, the scope of the present invention is only limited by the appended claims. Additionally, although features may appear to be described in conjunction with specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the various features of the described embodiments may be combined according to the present invention.
[0053] In addition, although individual features may be included in different claims, these features may be advantageously combined, and inclusion in different claims does not indicate that the combination of features is not feasible and / or disadvantageous. In the claims, any figure mark placed between brackets should not be interpreted as limiting the claim. The use of the verb "comprise" and its variations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in the claims. The article "one" or "an" in front of an element does not exclude the presence of multiple such elements. In addition, references to first, second, etc. should only be considered as labels, and do not indicate or describe any order, sequence, relationship or attribute of the features prefixed by these terms. The mere fact of citing certain measures in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that the combination of these measures cannot be used advantageously.
[0054] List of reference numerals
[0055] 10 Front lighting system
[0056] BS1 First Light Source
[0057] BS2 Second Light Source
[0058] 11 First Primary Optics
[0059] 12 Second primary optics
[0060] 13 Secondary Optics
[0061] 14 Transparent shutter
[0062] 141 Light outcoupling surface of transparent shield
[0063] 15 Slits exposed to air
[0064] X Intermediate axis of the transparent shutter
[0065] Extension direction of Y sub-slit
[0066] BS20 Sub-light source of the second light source
[0067] 220 Sub-optics of second primary optics
[0068] 24 Transparent shutter
[0069] 240 The middle part or middle partition of the transparent shield
[0070] 25 Sub-slits of slits exposed to air
[0071] 251 252 Side of the sub-slit
[0072] 25L First surface of sub-slit
[0073] 25U Second surface of sub-slit
[0074] 420 Sub-optics of second primary optics
[0075] 44 Transparent shutter
[0076] 440 The middle part or middle partition of the transparent shield
[0077] 45 Sub-slits of slits exposed to air
[0078] 45L First surface of sub-slit
[0079] 45U Second surface of sub-slit
[0080] 520 Sub-optics of second primary optics
[0081] 54 Transparent shutter
[0082] 540 The middle part or middle partition of the transparent shield
[0083] 55 Sub-slits of slits exposed to air
[0084] 55L First surface of sub-slit
[0085] 55U Second surface of sub-slit
[0086] 5500 The Ladder of Sub-Slits
[0087] 5501 First facet of the step
[0088] 5502 Step Second Facet
[0089] 60 Front lighting system
[0090] LBS low beam light source
[0091] HBS high beam source
[0092] 61 Low beam reflector
[0093] 600 One-piece or integral component
[0094] 63 Secondary Optics
[0095] 65 Slits exposed to air
[0096] 70 Front lighting system
[0097] 71 low beam collimator
[0098] 72 High beam reflector
[0099] 73 Secondary Optics
[0100] 74 Transparent shutter
[0101] 75 Slits exposed to air.
Claims
1. A front lighting system for a vehicle, the system comprising: The first light source; Second light source; Transparent shutter; secondary optics; a first primary optic configured to receive light from the first light source and project the light onto the transparent mask and the secondary optic; and a second primary optical device configured to receive light from the second light source and project the light onto the transparent mask, the transparent shield being configured to receive light from the first light source via the first primary optics and to prevent a low beam portion of the light seen when installed in the vehicle from entering the secondary optics, The transparent mask is further configured to receive light from the second light source via the second primary optics and project the light onto the secondary optics, and The secondary optics is configured to receive light from the first primary optics and the transparent shield and project the light onto a road in front of the vehicle, and The transparent shutter includes an air-exposed slit extending perpendicularly to a direction in which light received by the transparent shutter from the second light source propagates within the transparent shutter to redirect the light received by the transparent shutter from the second light source toward a central axis of the transparent shutter.
2. The front lighting system of claim 1, wherein the air-exposed slit is further configured to redirect light received by the transparent shield from the second light source into a concentrated light spot on a light outcoupling surface of the transparent shield.
3. The front lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The second light source includes a plurality of sub-light sources arranged in an array of (2m+1) rows and (2n+3) columns, wherein both m and n are integers equal to or greater than 0, and The slit exposed to air includes one or more sub-slits, wherein Each sub-slit extends parallel to a corresponding row of sub-light sources and includes two side portions, one side portion on either side of a middle portion of the transparent shield is not affected by the sub-slit.
4. The front lighting system according to claim 3, wherein: Each sub-slit further comprises a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface is closer to a surface of the transparent shield on which light from the second light source is incident than the second surface, and At least portions of the first surface and the second surface located at the two sides of each sub-slit are shaped to refract light incident thereon to be inclined toward the middle portion of the transparent shield associated with the middle-positioned sub-slit, and the middle-positioned sub-slit has an equal number of sub-slits on either side thereof.
5. The front lighting system according to claim 4, wherein: Each sub-slit includes an inner surface that is perpendicular to a direction in which light received by the transparent shield from the second light source propagates within the transparent shield, and The first surface and the second surface of each sub-slit are mirror-symmetrical to each other with respect to the inner side surface of the corresponding sub-slit.
6. The front lighting system according to claim 5, wherein The plurality of sub-light sources are arranged in an array of 1 row and (2n+3) columns, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 0, and The slit exposed to air includes a single sub-slit.
7. The front lighting system according to claim 6, wherein: The first surface includes two side sections located on either side of a middle portion of the transparent shield associated with the single sub-slit, and Each side cross-section includes a curved surface that is convex toward the second light source.
8. The front lighting system according to claim 6, wherein: The first surface includes two side sections located on either side of a middle portion of the transparent shield associated with the single sub-slit, and Each side cross-section includes an inclined surface, a portion thereof adjacent to the middle portion being spaced farthest from the second light source than the remainder thereof.
9. The front lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the first surface includes two side sections located on either side of a middle portion of the transparent shield associated with the single sub-slit, wherein Each side cross-section includes a stepped surface having one or more steps, wherein each step includes a curved surface convex toward the second light source.
10. The front lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the transparent shield is made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
11. The front lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The first light source comprises a low-beam light source, and The second light source includes a high-beam light source.
12. The front lighting system of claim 1, wherein the transparent shield is further configured to project light received from the second light source via the second primary optics onto the secondary optics by total internal reflection.
13. The front lighting system of claim 1, wherein each of the first primary optics and the second primary optics comprises a reflector.
14. The front lighting system of claim 1, wherein the second primary optics is integrated with the transparent shield.
15. The front lighting system of claim 1, wherein each of the first primary optics and the second primary optics comprises a collimator.
16. A front lighting system according to claim 6, wherein the first surface includes two side sections, and the two side sections are located on either side of the middle portion of the transparent mask associated with the single sub-slit, wherein each side section includes a stepped surface having one or more steps, wherein each step includes a first facet and a second facet, wherein the first facet is perpendicular to the inner surface of the single sub-slit, and the second facet is inclined and a portion thereof is closest to the middle portion of the transparent mask associated with the single sub-slit, and this closest portion of the second facet is farthest away from the second light source compared to the remaining portion thereof.
17. The front lighting system according to claim 1, wherein the transparent shield is made of polycarbonate (PC).