Headlight assembly for vehicle

By using two projector units and controllers in the vehicle headlight assembly, high-intensity lighting in the overlapping area is achieved, solving the problem of difficult to meet the intensity requirements of the high beam and hot spot areas in the prior art, reducing cost and component complexity.

CN119934454APending Publication Date: 2025-05-06AUTOSYSTEMS A DIVISION OF MAGNA EXTERIORS INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202411541223.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Applications(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2023-11-02
Filing Date
2024-10-31
Publication Date
2025-05-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing vehicle headlight components are difficult to meet both the high beam requirements and the intensity requirements of the hot spot area, and there are problems of high costs and many components.

Method used

Two projector units are adopted, each including a light source and an imaging lens assembly, by partially overlapping the two far-field lighting patterns by being oppositely angled to form overlapping areas of higher intensity, and adjusting the light source through the controller to produce a combined lighting pattern of smooth transitions.

Benefits of technology

It realizes the generation of higher intensity lighting in the overlapping area while meeting the requirements of the high beam and hot spot area, reducing cost and component complexity.

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Abstract

A headlight assembly for a vehicle includes a first projector unit and a second projector unit, each projector unit including a light source and an imaging lens assembly covering the light source and configured to focus and direct light from the light source to produce a corresponding far-field illumination pattern. The light source of each of the first projector unit and the second projector unit includes a plurality of pixel light sources, respectively. The second projector unit is angled relative to the first projector unit such that a second far-field illumination pattern generated by the second projector unit partially overlaps the first far-field illumination pattern from the first projector unit, and defines an overlap region and a combined illumination pattern, the combined illumination pattern has a smooth transition that extends across the far-field illumination pattern beyond the boundaries of the overlapping region, and looks from a single source.
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Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 595,461, filed on November 2, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates generally to lighting for motor vehicles. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to headlights for passenger vehicles such as cars and trucks and headlight assemblies having asymmetric high definition lighting units. Background Art

[0004] Headlamp assemblies for vehicles comply with regulations regarding lighting patterns in order to illuminate the road ahead of the vehicle while also minimizing distraction to drivers of other vehicles, including oncoming vehicles and vehicles ahead traveling in the same direction as the subject vehicle. Several different headlamp lighting regulations and standards may apply in different jurisdictions. Examples of such regulations and standards include the ECE developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the standards developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for use in the United States and Canada, the China CCC certification standards, and the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) standards.

[0005] Currently, optical designs use overlapping patterns to produce the final light distribution according to the desired illumination pattern. This can include: using different optical projectors with different presciptions to provide expansion and higher intensity requirements in the center part of most patterns. One projector may produce light with a very narrow expansion but high intensity in the center of the pattern, while another projector will provide a lower intensity but wider expansion. By having multiple different projection units, each module may require special tools, which may increase the cost, especially considering the multiple components including lenses, housings, electronic devices, etc. One module by itself may not be able to provide the following two aspects: the full expansion required to meet the high beam requirements; and still provide the highest intensity for the hot spot area of ​​the final light distribution according to the desired illumination pattern. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present disclosure provides a headlamp assembly for a vehicle. The headlamp assembly includes: a first projector unit having a first light source and a first imaging lens assembly, the first imaging lens assembly covering the first light source and configured to focus and direct light from the first light source to produce a first far-field illumination pattern; and a second projector unit having a second light source and a second imaging lens assembly, the second imaging lens assembly covering the second light source and configured to focus and direct light from the second light source to produce a second far-field illumination pattern. Each of the first light source and the second light source includes a plurality of pixel light sources. The second projector unit is angled relative to the first projector unit so that the second far-field illumination pattern partially overlaps the first far-field illumination pattern to define an overlapping area, wherein the first projector unit and the second projector unit can be operated together to produce a higher intensity area within the overlapping area. Each of the first far-field illumination pattern and the second far-field illumination pattern is controllable to define a combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across each of the second boundary extending beyond the overlapping area of ​​the second far-field illumination pattern and the first boundary extending beyond the overlapping area of ​​the first far-field illumination pattern, and making the combined illumination pattern appear to originate from a single source.

[0007] The present disclosure also provides a headlight system for a vehicle. The headlight system includes: a first projector unit having a first light source and a first imaging lens assembly, the first imaging lens assembly covering the first light source and configured to focus and guide light from the first light source to produce a first far-field illumination pattern; and a second projector unit having a second light source and a second imaging lens assembly, the second imaging lens assembly covering the second light source and configured to focus and guide light from the second light source to produce a second far-field illumination pattern. Each of the first light source and the second light source includes a plurality of pixel light sources. The second projector unit is angled relative to the first projector unit so that the second far-field illumination pattern partially overlaps with the first far-field illumination pattern to define an overlapping area, wherein the first projector unit and the second projector unit can be operated together to produce an area of ​​higher intensity within the overlapping area. The headlight system also includes a controller configured to command the first light source to cause the first projector unit to generate a first far-field illumination pattern and to command the second projector unit to generate a second far-field illumination pattern, wherein the first far-field illumination pattern and the second far-field illumination pattern together define a combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across each of a second boundary of the second far-field illumination pattern extending beyond the overlap region and a first boundary of the first far-field illumination pattern extending beyond the overlap region.

[0008] These and other aspects of the disclosure are disclosed in the following detailed description of the embodiments, the appended claims and the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Further details, features and advantages of the design of the invention emerge from the following description of an embodiment example with reference to the associated drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a vehicle having two headlight assemblies according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown;

[0011] Figure 2 shows a combined lighting pattern according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0012] Figure 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of a first projector unit for a headlamp assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0013] Figure 4 shows a wireframe top view of a first headlamp assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0014] Figure 5 showing a wireframe top view of a second headlamp assembly according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

[0015] Figure 6 shows a first low-beam illumination pattern produced by a first projector unit according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figure 7 shows a second low-beam illumination pattern produced by a second projector unit according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0017] Figure 8 shows a foreground beam pattern according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0018] Fig. 9 shows a combined low-beam illumination pattern including each of a first low-beam illumination pattern, a second low-beam illumination pattern, and a foreground beam pattern according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0019] Fig. 10A shows a driver's view of a road with a composition of two combined lighting patterns produced by two headlamp assemblies in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

[0020] Fig. 10B Shows that there is Fig. 10A A top-down aerial view of the road with the synthesis of the two combined lighting patterns shown in FIG.

[0021] Fig.11 shows a first high beam lighting pattern produced by a first projector unit according to aspects of the present disclosure;

[0022] Fig.12showing a combined high beam illumination pattern including each of a first high beam illumination pattern and a second high beam illumination pattern from two projector units in one headlamp assembly;

[0023] Fig.13 showing a combined high beam lighting pattern according to aspects of the present disclosure, the combined high beam lighting pattern including each of a first high beam lighting pattern, a second high beam lighting pattern, and a front beam lighting pattern all from one headlamp assembly; and

[0024] Fig.14 A composite high-beam illumination pattern is shown according to aspects of the present disclosure that includes each of a first high-beam illumination pattern and a second high-beam illumination pattern from two projector units in each of two headlamp assemblies. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention will be described in detail in view of the following embodiments.

[0026] An object of the invention of the present disclosure is to provide a single module having a field of view of a specific size which can be aligned with a second identical module at a specific angle to provide an asymmetric overlap to meet "hot spot" intensity requirements while also providing an extended width based on the design requirements of a specific vehicle (such as approximately 20 degrees).

[0027] Figure 1 A schematic block diagram of a vehicle 10 with a lighting system 12 according to aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The vehicle 10 may be a motor vehicle such as a passenger car or a truck. However, the headlight assembly of the present disclosure may be applicable to other types of vehicles, such as commercial trucks, buses, trains, etc. The vehicle 10 with the lighting system 12 of the present disclosure may also be referred to as the present vehicle or the subject vehicle. The lighting system 12 includes a left headlight assembly 20a and a right headlight assembly 20b. Each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b may be similar or identical to each other. In some embodiments, the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b may include similar or identical internal components and different external components, such as a housing configured to be assembled within a structure on the corresponding side of the vehicle 10.

[0028] like Figure 1As shown, each of the headlight assemblies 20a, 20b includes a first projector unit 22, a second projector unit 26, and a foreground projector unit 30, 38. The first projector unit 22 includes a first light source 24 and a first imaging lens assembly 34, which covers the first light source 24 and is configured to focus and direct the light from the first light source 24 to produce a first far-field illumination pattern 14, 90. The second projector unit 26 includes a second light source 28 and a second imaging lens assembly 36, which covers the second light source 28 and is configured to focus and direct the light from the second light source 28 to produce a second far-field illumination pattern 15, 92.

[0029] The foreground projector unit 30, 38 includes a foreground light source 30, which is coupled to a third lens assembly 38 and is configured to generate a foreground beam pattern 16, which may also be referred to as a base beam pattern, and which illuminates a wide area below the first far-field illumination pattern 14, 90 and the second far-field illumination pattern 15, 92. For example, the foreground beam pattern 16 may extend across a 110 degree range extending from -55 degrees to +55 degrees. However, the foreground beam pattern 16 may have a different extension, which may depend on a given implementation.

[0030] In some embodiments, the first projector unit 22 and the second projector unit 26 may each have the same structure. For example, the first projector unit 22 and the second projector unit 26 may each include the same hardware for their respective light sources 24, 28 and for their respective imaging lens assemblies 34, 36.

[0031] Each of the first light source 24 and the second light source 28 includes a plurality of pixel light sources. The plurality of pixel light sources may include a two-dimensional array of pixels. For example, the light source 24 and the light source 28 may each include a diode matrix of a digital micromirror device (DMD) and / or a light emitting diode (LED) element. In some embodiments, each of the light sources 24 and the light source 28 includes at least 3,000 pixel light sources. In some embodiments, each of the light sources 24 and the light source 28 includes at least 15,000 pixel light sources. However, the light sources 24 and the light source 28 may include any number of pixel light sources, wherein the more pixels there are, the higher the resolution provided.

[0032] Each of the headlight assemblies 20a and 20b also includes a controller 40 that communicates with each of the first light source 24 and the second light source 28. The controller 40 may also be referred to as a light driver module (LDM), a headlight intelligent lighting driver, or a headlight intelligent LED driver. The controller 40 may be configured to control the pattern of light generated by the first projector unit 22 and the second projector unit 26. The controller 40 may provide a signal to control the brightness level of each of the pixel light sources. For example, the controller 40 may use an on / off signal and utilize pulse width modulation (PWM) switching to control the brightness level of each of the pixel light sources.

[0033] The controller 40 includes a processor 42 coupled to a storage memory 44. The storage memory 44 includes an instruction memory 46 that stores instructions, such as program code, for execution by the processor 42. The storage memory 44 also includes a data memory 48 for storing data for use by the processor 42.

[0034] The vehicle 10 also includes an electronic control unit (ECU) 41, such as a body control module (BCM), which is in functional communication with the controller 40 of each of the headlight assemblies 20a and 20b and is configured to transmit one or more signals for controlling the operation of the headlight assemblies. For example, the ECU 41 can direct the headlight assemblies 20a and 20b to operate in a high beam mode or a low beam mode. The ECU 41 can provide additional messages or commands to the controller 40, such as illuminating or dimming a specific area, so as to reduce glare directed to other vehicles.

[0035] Figure 2 A combined illumination pattern produced by the first projector unit 22 and the second projector unit 26 is shown. The second projector unit 26 is angled relative to the first projector unit 22 so that the second far-field illumination pattern 15, 92 partially overlaps the first far-field illumination pattern 14, 90 to define an overlap region 18. The first projector unit 22 and the second projector unit 26 can be operated together to produce an area of ​​higher intensity within the overlap region 18. In other words, the illumination system 12 uses two projector units 22, 26 that are angled relative to each other to provide an overlap region that can have an intensity that is higher than that which either of the two projector units 22, 26 can produce alone. As shown, the first boundary 17a defines the left edge of the overlap region 18, and the first far-field illumination pattern 14, 90 extends to the left beyond the first boundary 17a. Similarly, Figure 2 As shown, the second boundary 17b defines the right side edge of the overlap region 18, and the second far-field illumination pattern 15, 92 extends rightward beyond the second boundary 17b. Figure 2The far-field illumination patterns 14, 90, 15, 92 shown in the figure represent the patterns produced by the right headlamp assembly 20b, and have an extension from about -13 degrees (i.e., 13 degrees to the left of the center) to +20 degrees (i.e., 20 degrees to the right of the center). A similar pattern can be produced by the left headlamp assembly 20a, but extended outward to -20 degrees. The two headlamp assemblies 20a, 20b can together provide low beam illumination across a 40 degree range extending from -20 degrees to +20 degrees.

[0036] Figure 1 to Figure 2 The far-field illumination patterns 14, 90 and far-field illumination patterns 15, 92 shown in are each complete patterns, including each of the pixel light sources 24, 28 operating at full brightness. Such complete patterns can be used for demonstration purposes such as calibration and alignment or for other purposes. However, during normal operation, the pixel light sources 24, 28 can be operated at reduced brightness to define the low-beam illumination pattern 14, the low-beam illumination pattern 15 and / or the high-beam illumination pattern 90, the high-beam illumination pattern 92, and to make the boundaries 17a, 17b have smooth transitions that are not discernible to the observer.

[0037] Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the first projector unit 22 is shown, which includes a first imaging lens assembly 34. The first imaging lens assembly 34 may modify the pattern of light produced by the first light source 24, for example by stretching the pattern and / or by mixing an amount of light between pixel light sources. Figure 3 Also shown is a first light source 24, which includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 50 and a light source device 52 disposed on the printed circuit board (PCB) 50. The light source device 52 may include, for example, a digital micromirror device (DMD) and / or a diode matrix of light emitting diode (LED) elements. However, the light source device 52 may include any device capable of providing a pixel light source.

[0038] like Figure 3As shown in , the first imaging lens assembly 34 includes a first lens element 60 adjacent to the PCB 50. The first lens element 60 defines a first input surface 62 that receives light from the light source device 54. The first lens element 60 also defines a first output surface 64 for outputting light. The first imaging lens assembly 34 also includes a second lens element 70 covering the first lens element 60, wherein the first lens element 60 is disposed between the second lens element 70 and the PCB 50. The second lens element 70 defines a second input surface 72 that receives light from the first output surface 64 of the first lens element 60. The second lens element 70 also defines a second output surface 74 for outputting light. As shown, the first input surface 62, the second input surface 72, and the second output surface 74 each have a concave shape, and the first output surface 64 has a convex shape. However, either or both of the first lens element 60 and / or the second lens element 70 may have different shapes.

[0039] The first imaging lens assembly 34 also includes a third lens element 80 covering the second lens element 70, wherein the second lens element 70 is disposed between the third lens element 80 and the first lens element 60. The third lens element 80 defines a third input surface 82 that receives light from the second output surface 74 of the second lens element 70. The third lens element 80 also defines a third output surface 84 for outputting light. As shown, the third input surface 82 and the third output surface 84 each have a convex shape. However, either or both of the third input surface 82 and the third output surface 84 may have different shapes.

[0040] Figure 4 A wireframe top view of a first headlight assembly is shown. Figure 4 The first headlight assembly shown in FIG. 1 can be used for either or both of the left headlight assembly 20a and / or the right headlight assembly 20b. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , the first headlamp assembly includes a first projector unit 22 and a second projector unit 26 , each of which is angled outwardly relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle.

[0041] Figure 5 A wireframe top view of a second headlight assembly is shown. Figure 5 The second headlight assembly shown in FIG. 1 can be used for either or both of the left headlight assembly 20a and / or the right headlight assembly 20b. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , first projector unit 22 is pointed in the direction of travel of the vehicle and second projector unit 26 is angled outward.

[0042] In some embodiments, the second projector unit 26 is angled at approximately 7.5 degrees relative to the first projector unit 22. However, the angle between the projector units 22, 26 may depend on system design requirements such as overall pattern width.

[0043] Each of the projector units 22, 26 is operable to generate a corresponding far-field illumination pattern 14, 90, 15, 92 to define a combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across each of the second boundary 17b extending beyond the overlap region 18 of the second far-field illumination pattern 15, 90 and the first boundary 17a extending beyond the overlap region 18 of the first far-field illumination pattern 14, 90, and such that the combined illumination pattern appears to originate from a single source. For example, the controller 40 may command the first light source 24 and the second light source 28 to generate a specific illumination pattern corresponding to the desired far-field illumination pattern 14, 90, 15, 92 to define a combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across the boundary 17a, 17b.

[0044] Figure 6 shows a first low-beam illumination pattern 14 generated by a first projector unit 22, Figure 7 shows a second low-beam illumination pattern 15 generated by a second projector unit 26, Figure 8 The foreground beam pattern 16 produced by the foreground projector unit 30, the foreground projector unit 38 is shown, and Fig. 9 A combined low-beam illumination pattern 14, 15, 16 is shown that includes each of the first low-beam illumination pattern 14, the second low-beam illumination pattern 15, and the foreground beam pattern 16 and has a smooth transition across the boundaries 17a, 17b. Note that Figures 8 to 9 With different scales, among which, Figure 8 having a coloration corresponding to a luminous intensity level of 0 candela (cd) - 4096 candela (cd), and Fig. 9 The coloring corresponding to the luminous intensity level 0 candela (cd) -54113 candela (cd) is shown in the figure. Fig. 9 It is indistinguishable. Fig. 9 The combined low-beam lighting patterns 14 , 15 , 16 shown above may appear to originate from a single source.

[0045] Fig. 10A A driver's view of a road is shown with a composite of two combined lighting patterns produced by two headlamp assemblies 20a, 20b of the present disclosure. Fig. 10B Shows that there is Fig. 10A A top-down aerial view of the road with the synthesis of the two combined lighting patterns shown in FIG.

[0046] Fig.11 A first high-beam illumination pattern 90 produced by the first projector unit 22 is shown. Fig.12 A combined high beam illumination pattern 90 , 92 is shown that includes each of the first high beam illumination pattern 90 and the second high beam illumination pattern 92 from both projector units 22 , 26 in one of the headlamp assemblies 20 a , 20 b . Fig.13 A combined high beam illumination pattern 16 , 90 , 92 is shown that includes each of the first high beam illumination pattern 90 , the second high beam illumination pattern 92 , and the front beam pattern 16 all from one of the headlamp assemblies 20 a , 20 b .

[0047] Fig.14 A composite high beam illumination pattern 90 , 92 is shown that includes each of the first high beam illumination pattern 90 and the second high beam illumination pattern 92 from two projector units 22 , 26 in each of the two headlamp assemblies 20 a , 20 b . Figures 6 to 14 Each of the illumination patterns 14, 15, 16, 90, 92 shown in the drawings includes equidistant lines having equal light intensity at far-field distances. The systems and methods of the present disclosure are configured to control light sources 24, 28, 30 to generate one or more desired illumination patterns, such as the illumination patterns shown in the drawings, wherein the equidistant lines cross boundaries 17a, 17b.

[0048] The lighting system 12 of the present disclosure may include a light source 24, a light source 28 based on pixel light, each light source having more than 15K elements of 50 microns or less in size, which are used together with a set of lenses to produce a field of view. The field of view in this design is 8.5 times 25.5 degrees, which leaves about 0.1 degrees of projection pixels in the far field, and the intensity value is up to about 35Kcd. The field of view has a horizontal extension of about 12.75 degrees in the left and right directions. The high beam test point is up to 12 degrees in the left and right directions, however, the design standards of the automobile manufacturers exceed the legal requirements and require the high beam to be extended to an angle of 20 degrees or more. Further expansion of the light to obtain the desired pattern width results in a lower maximum intensity. The legal requirement for intensity is 40Kcd, however, the automobile manufacturers want more again and require 65Kcd to 75Kcd.

[0049] Using two projector units 22, 26, horizontally aligned with each other at 7.5 degrees, the center axis of the car provides an overlap between the two projector units in the center portion of the pattern from 5 left to 5 right. In this center area, the two patterns overlap to achieve high strength requirements, and expansion is achieved in the non-overlapping area.

[0050] like Figure 5 As shown in , an alternative arrangement is to keep one of the two projector units 22, 26 pointing downwards towards the vehicle axis and rotate only the second module 7.5 degrees, which then provides an asymmetric pattern of 12.75 degrees in one direction and 20 degrees in the other direction, with an overlap area of ​​5 degrees in one direction and 12.75 degrees in the other direction.

[0051] The performance of each of the two projector units 22, 26 can be adjusted by software using two dimming matrices so that they produce the desired pattern. The right side of the car with an asymmetrical design and the left side of the car then work together to perform complete road lighting.

[0052] The systems, methods and / or processes described above and steps thereof can be implemented in hardware, software or any combination of hardware and software suitable for a particular application. Hardware can include specific aspects or components of a general-purpose computer and / or a special computing device or a specific computing device or a specific computing device. These processes can be implemented in one or more microprocessors, microcontrollers, embedded microcontrollers, programmable digital signal processors or other programmable devices and internal and / or external memory. These processes can also or alternatively be implemented in a dedicated integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, a programmable array logic or any other device or device combination that can be configured to process electronic signals. It will also be understood that one or more processes can be implemented as a computer executable code that can be executed on a machine-readable medium.

[0053] Computer executable code may be created using a structured programming language such as C, an object-oriented programming language such as C++, or any other high-level or low-level programming language (including assembly language, hardware description languages, and database programming languages ​​and techniques) that may be stored, compiled, or interpreted to run on one of the above devices and a heterogeneous combination of processor architectures, or a combination of different hardware and software, or any other machine capable of executing program instructions.

[0054] Therefore, in one aspect, each method described above and combination thereof can be implemented in a computer executable code, which performs method steps when executed on one or more computing devices. On the other hand, the method can be implemented in a system that performs its steps, and can be distributed across devices in a variety of ways, or all functions can be integrated into a dedicated stand-alone device or other hardware. On the other hand, the device for performing the steps associated with the process described above can include any of the hardware and / or software described above. All such permutations and combinations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0055] The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present disclosure. Each element or feature of a particular embodiment is generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but is interchangeable where applicable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same situation can also be changed in many ways. Such changes should not be considered as departing from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A headlight assembly (20a, 20b) for a vehicle (10), comprising: a first projector unit (22) having a first light source (24) and a first imaging lens assembly (34), the first imaging lens assembly (34) covering the first light source (24) and configured to focus and direct light from the first light source (24) to produce a first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90); as well as a second projector unit (26), the second projector unit (26) having a second light source (28) and a second imaging lens assembly (36), the second imaging lens assembly (36) covering the second light source (28) and configured to focus and direct light from the second light source (28) to produce a second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92), Wherein, each of the first light source (24) and the second light source (28) comprises a plurality of pixel light sources, wherein the second projector unit (26) is angled relative to the first projector unit (22) such that the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) partially overlaps the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) to define an overlap region (18), wherein the first projector unit (22) and the second projector unit (26) are operable together to produce an area of ​​higher intensity within the overlap region (18), and wherein each of the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) and the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) are controllable to define a combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across each of a second boundary (17b) of the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) extending beyond the overlap region (18) and a first boundary (17a) of the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) extending beyond the overlap region (18), and such that the combined illumination pattern appears to originate from a single source.

2. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: The first projector unit (22) and the second projector unit (26) each have the same structure.

3. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) of claim 1, further comprising a controller (40) that communicates with the first light source (24) to cause the first projector unit (22) to generate the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) based on the combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across each of the second boundary (17b) and the first boundary (17a).

4. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 3, wherein: The controller (40) also communicates with the second light source (28) to cause the second projector unit (26) to generate the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) according to the combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across each of the second boundary (17b) and the first boundary (17a).

5. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first light source (24) and the second light source (28) includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) defining the plurality of pixel light sources.

6. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first light source (24) and the second light source (28) comprises a diode matrix of light emitting diode (LED) elements defining the plurality of pixel light sources.

7. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of pixel light sources includes at least 3000 pixel light sources.

8. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of pixel light sources include at least 15,000 pixel light sources.

9. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the first projector unit (22) and the second projector unit (26) is angled outwardly relative to a direction of travel of the vehicle (10).

10. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: One of the first projector unit (22) and the second projector unit (26) points in the direction of travel of the vehicle (10), and wherein the other of the first projector unit (22) and the second projector unit (26) is angled outward.

11. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: The second projector unit (26) is angled at least about 7.5 degrees relative to the first projector unit (22).

12. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 1, wherein: The combined illumination pattern has a width of at least about 20 degrees.

13. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) of claim 1, wherein: At least one of the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) or the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) includes a high beam pattern extending above the horizon.

14. The headlamp assembly (20a, 20b) according to claim 13, wherein: The first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) and the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) together define the high-beam pattern extending above the horizon.

15. A headlight system for a vehicle (10), comprising: a first projector unit (22) having a first light source (24) and a first imaging lens assembly (34), the first imaging lens assembly (34) covering the first light source (24) and configured to focus and direct light from the first light source (24) to produce a first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90); a second projector unit (26), the second projector unit (26) having a second light source (28) and a second imaging lens assembly (36), the second imaging lens assembly (36) covering the second light source (28) and configured to focus and direct light from the second light source (28) to produce a second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92), Wherein, each of the first light source (24) and the second light source (28) comprises a plurality of pixel light sources, wherein the second projector unit (26) is angled relative to the first projector unit (22) such that the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) partially overlaps the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) to define an overlap region (18), wherein the first projector unit (22) and the second projector unit (26) are operable together to produce an area of ​​higher intensity within the overlap region (18); and A controller (40) configured to command the first light source (24) to cause the first projector unit (22) to generate the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) and to command the second projector unit (26) to generate the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92), wherein the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) and the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) together define a combined illumination pattern having a smooth transition across each of a second boundary (17b) of the second far-field illumination pattern (15, 92) extending beyond the overlap region (18) and a first boundary (17a) of the first far-field illumination pattern (14, 90) extending beyond the overlap region (18).