Lamp with steerable light beam

Abstract

A lamp having a steerable beam suitable for use as a vehicle headlamp includes: a phosphor converter emitting white light from a location impacted by light from a laser; and at least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a light beam in a direction dependent on an emission position from the phosphor converter. There is at least one high intensity laser; and at least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for directing laser light from the at least one high intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter to change the direction of the light beam emitted from the lamp.

Description

[0001] Introduction The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the present disclosure. The work of the presently named inventors - to the extent it is described in this section - and aspects of this description that may not otherwise be eligible as prior art at the time of filing are neither expressly nor implicitly considered prior art to the present disclosure. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to turnable lights, and more particularly to a useful solid-state turnable light having a headlight. Background Art

[0003] Adaptive headlights are headlights that actively respond to changing conditions, thereby providing better visibility to the driver and more time to react to changing conditions ahead. Adaptive headlights are typically implemented in one of two ways: First, a mechanism can be provided to physically manipulate the light source. Second, multiple light sources can be provided within the headlight. Both of these solutions result in a larger headlight assembly and additional cost. The mechanical solution also involves increased costs for maintaining the headlight and an increased chance of failure. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A first embodiment of the present disclosure provides a light having a steerable beam useful in applications such as headlights and more particularly adaptive headlights. The light can include: a phosphor converter (such as a ceramic phosphor converter) that emits white light from a location struck by light from a source (such as a laser); and at least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a beam in a direction depending on the emission location from the phosphor converter. The light can further include: at least one light source, such as a high-intensity laser or a micro-LED, typically directed to the phosphor converter; and at least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for directing the laser light from at least one high-intensity laser to a selectable location on the phosphor converter.

[0005] At least one high-intensity light source can have a blue or violet wavelength between approximately 400 nm and 500 nm. In some versions of this first embodiment, at least one of the at least high-intensity light sources is a laser, which can be pulsed, for example, to prevent overheating of the laser and the phosphor converter.

[0006] At least some versions of a second embodiment can provide a solid-state light that does not have moving parts.

[0007] In some versions of the first embodiment, there are multiple high-intensity lasers and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for each high-intensity laser, which is used to direct the light from its corresponding high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter. Some of the high-intensity lasers can be operated through the same multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating, or each high-intensity laser can have its own multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating.

[0008] In other versions of the first embodiment, there is at least one high-intensity laser that is directed to a fixed position on the phosphor converter without a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating, and at least one high-intensity laser with a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for directing the laser from its corresponding laser. This can provide a light beam with a fixed component and a variable component.

[0009] In some versions of the first embodiment, the lamp has a controller that includes at least one microprocessor programmed to receive position data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the light beam in a direction toward the position corresponding to the position data. In some versions of the first embodiment, there are multiple high-intensity lasers and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for each high-intensity laser, which is used to direct the light from its corresponding high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter, and there is a controller that includes at least one microprocessor programmed to selectively operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the light beams of at least two of the high-intensity lasers to the same position on the phosphor converter.

[0010] According to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a vehicle is provided with at least one headlamp having a steerable light beam, such as the lamp according to the first embodiment. The headlamp may include: a phosphor converter that emits white light from the position where it is struck by light from the laser; and at least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a light beam in a direction depending on the emission position from the phosphor converter. The lamp further includes: at least one high-intensity light source, such as a laser; and at least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for directing the laser from at least one high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter.

[0011] The headlamp may further include a controller that includes at least one microprocessor programmed to receive position data from the vehicle and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the laser to a position on the phosphor converter that will produce a light beam in a direction toward the position corresponding to the position data.

[0012] In some versions of the second embodiment, there are at least two high-intensity lasers and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for each high-intensity laser, which is used to direct the light from its corresponding high-intensity laser to an optional position on the phosphor converter, and the lamp further includes a controller, which includes at least one microprocessor, and the at least one microprocessor is programmed to selectively operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the light beams of at least two of the high-intensity lasers to the same position on the phosphor converter.

[0013] In some versions of the second embodiment, the lamp further includes a controller, which includes at least one microprocessor, and the at least one microprocessor is programmed to receive speed data from the vehicle and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter as the speed changes, so as to change the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner as the speed changes.

[0014] In some versions of the second embodiment, the lamp further includes a controller, which includes at least one microprocessor, and the at least one microprocessor is programmed to receive turn signal data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter when the vehicle turn signal is operated, so as to change the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner. In some versions of the second embodiment, the lamp further includes a controller, which includes at least one microprocessor, and the at least one microprocessor is programmed to receive turn data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter when the vehicle turns, so as to change the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner.

[0015] In yet another version of the second embodiment, the vehicle has at least one of a lidar, an optical, a radar or an ultrasonic imaging system, and wherein the lamp further includes a controller, which includes at least one microprocessor, and the at least one microprocessor is programmed to receive data from the imaging system of the vehicle and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter, so as to change the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner.

[0016] In the second embodiment and all its versions, at least one high-intensity laser is blue or purple, with a wavelength between approximately 400 nanometers and approximately 500 nanometers. Similarly, in the second embodiment and all its versions, at least one high-intensity laser can be pulsed to reduce the heating of the laser and the phosphor converter.

[0017] In this second embodiment and all its versions, in addition to at least one high-intensity laser having a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating, the lamp may further include at least one high-intensity laser that does not have a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating.

[0018] According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of changing the direction of a light beam of a headlamp on a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has: a high-intensity laser source; a phosphor converter that emits white light from a position struck by light from the laser; and at least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a light beam in a direction depending on the emission position of the phosphor converter. The method includes operating a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where light from the high-intensity laser source strikes the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam.

[0019] According to one version of the third embodiment, the laser source may be pulsed to reduce heating of the high-intensity light source and the phosphor converter. According to another version of the third embodiment, in response to a change in the speed and / or direction of the vehicle, the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating changes the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam.

[0020] The present disclosure provides the following embodiments.

[0021] 1. A lamp having a steerable light beam, comprising: a phosphor converter that emits white light from a position struck by light from a laser; at least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a light beam in a direction depending on the emission position of the phosphor converter; at least one high-intensity laser; and at least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for guiding the laser from the at least one high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter.

[0022] 2. The lamp having a steerable light beam according to embodiment 1, wherein the at least one high-intensity laser has a blue or violet wavelength.

[0023] 3. The lamp having a steerable light beam according to embodiment 1, wherein the at least one high-intensity laser is a pulsed laser, and the pulsed laser generates a pulsed emission from the phosphor converter, thereby obtaining a pulsed light beam.

[0024] 4. The lamp having a steerable light beam according to embodiment 1, including at least one high-intensity laser that is guided to a fixed position on the phosphor converter and does not have a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating, and at least one high-intensity laser having a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating.

[0025] 5. A lamp having a steerable beam according to Embodiment 1, wherein there are a plurality of high-intensity lasers and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for each high-intensity laser, and the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating is configured to direct light from its corresponding high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter.

[0026] 6. A lamp having a steerable beam according to Embodiment 1, further comprising a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to receive position data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the beam in a direction toward a position corresponding to the position data.

[0027] 7. A lamp having a steerable beam according to Embodiment 1, wherein there are a plurality of high-intensity lasers and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for each high-intensity laser, and the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating is configured to direct light from its corresponding high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter, and further comprising a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to selectively operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the beams of at least two of the high-intensity lasers to the same position on the phosphor converter.

[0028] 8. A headlamp having a steerable beam combined with a vehicle, comprising: A phosphor converter that emits white light from a position struck by light from a laser; At least one projection lens configured to transmit white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a beam in a direction depending on the emission position of the phosphor converter; At least one high-intensity laser; and At least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating configured to direct laser light from the at least one high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter.

[0029] 9. The combination according to Embodiment 8, wherein the headlamp further comprises a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to receive position data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the laser to a position on the phosphor converter that will produce a beam in a direction toward a position corresponding to the position data.

[0030] 10. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the headlamp includes a plurality of high-intensity lasers and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for each high-intensity laser, the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating being configured to direct light from its corresponding high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter, and further includes a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to selectively operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the light beams of at least two of the high-intensity lasers to the same position on the phosphor converter.

[0031] 11. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the headlamp further includes a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to receive speed data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter as the speed changes, thereby changing the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner as the speed changes.

[0032] 12. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the headlamp further includes a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to receive turn signal data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter when the vehicle turn signal is operated, thereby changing the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner.

[0033] 13. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the headlamp further includes a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to receive turn data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter when the vehicle turns, thereby changing the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner.

[0034] 14. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the vehicle has at least one of a lidar, radar, ultrasonic, or optical imaging system, and wherein the headlamp further includes a controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to receive data from the imaging system and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner.

[0035] 15. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the at least one high-intensity laser has a blue or violet wavelength between approximately 400 nm and approximately 450 nm.

[0036] 16. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the at least one high-intensity laser is a pulsed laser, and the pulsed laser generates a pulsed emission from the phosphor converter, thereby obtaining a pulsed light beam.

[0037] 17. The combination according to embodiment 8, wherein the lamp includes at least one high-intensity laser that does not have a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating, and at least one high-intensity laser that has a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating.

[0038] 18. A method of changing the direction of a light beam of a headlamp on a vehicle, the vehicle having: a high-intensity laser source; a phosphor converter that emits white light from a position struck by light from the laser; and at least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a light beam in a direction depending on the emission position from the phosphor converter, the method including operating a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam.

[0039] 19. The method according to embodiment 18, further including the step of pulse modulating the laser source to generate a pulsed light beam.

[0040] 20. The method according to embodiment 18, including: in response to a change in the speed or direction of the vehicle, operating the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam.

[0041] Further applicable fields of the present disclosure will become apparent from the detailed description, claims, and drawings. The detailed description and specific examples are only for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The present disclosure will be more fully understood from the detailed description and the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a lamp with a steerable light beam according to the principles of a first embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a lamp with a steerable light beam according to the principles of a first alternative version of a first embodiment of the present disclosure, which has two high-intensity light sources; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a part of a lamp with a steerable light beam according to the principles of a first alternative version of a first embodiment of the present disclosure, which shows the arrangement of four high-intensity light sources around a phosphor converter; Figure 4Schematic diagram of a lamp with a steerable beam according to the principles of a second alternative version of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, showing a fixed light source and a variable light source; Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a lamp with a steerable beam according to the principles of a third alternative version of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, having a controller; Figure 6 Schematic diagram of a lamp with a steerable beam according to the principles of a fourth alternative version of the first embodiment of the present disclosure, having a controller; Figure 7 Diagram showing a possible layout of the illumination positions of the phosphor; Figure 8 Schematic diagram of a vehicle with a headlamp having a steerable beam according to the principles of the second embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 9 Schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a second alternative version of a vehicle with a headlamp having a steerable beam according to the principles of the second embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 10 Schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a third alternative version of a vehicle with a headlamp having a steerable beam according to the principles of the second embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 11 Schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a fourth alternative version of a vehicle with a headlamp having a steerable beam according to the principles of the second embodiment of the present disclosure; and Figure 12 Schematic diagram illustrating the operation of a fifth alternative version of a vehicle with a headlamp having a steerable beam according to the principles of the second embodiment of the present disclosure; In the drawings, reference numerals may be reused to identify similar and / or identical elements. Detailed Description

[0043] The lamp with a steerable beam according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is generally indicated as 20 in Figure 1 The lamp 20 with its steerable beam is useful in applications such as headlamps and particularly adaptive headlamps.

[0044] The lamp 20 may include a phosphor converter 22 that emits white light from a location struck by light from a high-intensity source such as a laser. The phosphor converter 22 may be a ceramic laser phosphor converter available from SCHOTT North America, Inc., Rye Brook, New York, USA. The phosphor converter 22 may be a substantially flat rectangular panel, but may have some other shape, such as convex or concave. In some embodiments, the phosphor converter may be as small as about 25 mm by about 50 mm, resulting in a very compact lamp design. The phosphor converter 22 may have a heat sink (not shown) for dissipating energy from one or more lasers directed to the phosphor converter.

[0045] The lamp 20 may further include at least one projection lens 24 for transmitting white light emitted from the phosphor converter 22 as a light beam B in a direction depending on the emission location from the phosphor converter. As Figure 1 shown, there are three lenses 24A, 24B, and 24C, but fewer or more lenses may be present if desired. In this first embodiment, the projection lenses are small to facilitate a compact lamp design with a large collection angle and minimal dispersion. Of course, the lenses may be larger if size is not important. The projection lens 24 should not interfere with the illumination beam from the laser at all of its designed steering angles. The projection lens should also not produce back reflections that may cause secondary excitation on the phosphor, which would generate a "ghost" illumination beam.

[0046] The lamp 20 may further include at least one high-intensity light source 26, such as a laser or a micro-LED, which is typically directed towards the center of the phosphor converter 22. In this first embodiment, the high-intensity light source is a high-intensity laser 26. The high-intensity laser 26 may have an optical power of at least 1 watt.

[0047] At least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 is provided, with one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating disposed between each high-intensity laser 26 and the phosphor converter 22 for directing the laser from at least one high-intensity laser to a selectable location on the phosphor converter. The multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating is a diffractive optical element that modulates the polarization state or Pancharatnam-Berry (PB) phase of light by spatially varying the anisotropy parameter in a periodic manner across the plane of the element. Such devices are available from various sources, including Meadowlark Optics, Frederick, Colorado, and others.

[0048] The multi - stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating has two or more stages to facilitate redirecting light from the high - intensity laser 26 in more than one direction. For example, the multi - stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating can direct the light beam horizontally across the width of the phosphor converter 22 and vertically across the height of the phosphor converter. As Figure 7 shown, the multi - stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating can redirect the light from the laser 26 to multiple discrete positions on the phosphor converter 22 (such as Figure 7 the eight discrete positions shown), and each discrete position generates a light beam or a portion of the light beam in a different direction. Figure 7 This is merely exemplary, and there can be as few as two discrete positions and as many as 16 or 32 discrete positions or more.

[0049] At least one high - intensity laser 26 can have a blue or violet wavelength, which is between approximately 400 nm and approximately 500 nm, and in some alternatives of this first embodiment, between approximately 400 nm and approximately 450 nm. In some versions of this first embodiment, at least one of the at least one high - intensity lasers 26 can be pulsed to produce a pulsed emission from the phosphor converter 22, thereby reducing the heating of the laser source and the phosphor converter. The pulse rate is advantageously at least 30 Hz so that it does not cause a flickering beam, and can be between approximately 2 kHz and approximately 1 MHz, depending on the laser driver and the voltage source for the laser.

[0050] In Figure 2 the first alternative version of the first embodiment shown, there are multiple high - intensity lasers 26 (such as Figure 2 the two shown), which have a multi - stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 for redirecting the light from each of the high - intensity lasers to selectable positions on the phosphor converter 22. Figure 4 Illustrated how four high - intensity lasers might be arranged around the phosphor converter 22 to produce up to four separate variable components of the beam B. The high - intensity lasers 26 can share the multi - stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28, or each high - intensity laser 26 can have its own multi - stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating. The first alternative version allows the beam B to have components in two different directions, and if multiple lasers are focused at or near the same position on the phosphor converter 22, the intensity of the beam B in the direction corresponding to that position can be increased.

[0051] In Figure 4In a second alternative version of the first embodiment shown, there is at least one high-intensity laser 26 that is directed to a fixed location on the phosphor converter 22 and that does not have a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28, and at least one high-intensity laser having a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for directing the laser light from its respective laser to a selectable location on the phosphor converter. The second alternative version allows for one (or more) variable portions or components of the beam B and at least one fixed portion or component of the beam B to be directed in a selectable direction, which is determined by where the light from its respective high-intensity laser 26 is directed onto the phosphor converter 22 by the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28.

[0052] In Figure 5 In a third alternative version of the first embodiment shown, the lamp 20 has a controller 30 that includes at least one microprocessor 32 that is jointly programmed to receive position data on an input 34 and to operate one or more of the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization gratings 28 via an output 36 to direct the laser light from one or more high-intensity lasers to a suitable selected location on the phosphor converter 22 to direct the beam B in a direction corresponding to the position data. This allows the lamp 20 to direct the beam B or at least a portion of the beam B to a specific location. For example, in a case where the lamp 20 is used as a headlight on a vehicle, all or a portion of the beam B can be directed to a location of interest identified by the vehicle's lidar, optical, radar, or ultrasonic imaging system, to where the vehicle is moving forward, or to a location selected by a user.

[0053] For example, the field of view captured by an imaging sensor can be mapped to the headlight protection area, for example by subdividing the field of view into regions that correspond 1:1 to the possible directions of all or a portion of the beam B, which in turn depends on the illumination of a specific location on the phosphor converter 22, such as Figure 7 one of the eight locations illustrated. Thus, the physical location and the beam direction for illuminating the specific location can be mapped to a specific set of voltages that cause the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to illuminate the corresponding location on the phosphor converter. An object of interest in the field of view of the image sensor is identified, and the unique set of corresponding voltage values causes the appropriate multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to steer the light from the high-intensity laser source to the corresponding location on the phosphor converter, which causes the beam (or a portion of the beam) to be projected in the desired direction.

[0054] A specific voltage can be determined during the manufacture of the device via a calibration process. Each device has a set of voltages defined in a LUT (look-up table) that maps to a desired sub-region of the field of view of the imaging system. The algorithm can determine whether to illuminate an object of interest based at least in part on one or more of (a) the object type (e.g., car or pedestrian); (b) the location of the object (e.g., at the curb, on the sidewalk, or in the street); and (c) visibility (whether the object can be identified). Of course, other criteria can be used in addition to or instead of these criteria. If the object is to be illuminated, a sub-region of the field of view is identified, and the appropriate multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating is operated to direct light to the identified sub-region, and the corresponding light source is activated.

[0055] In Figure 6 In a fourth alternative version of the first embodiment shown, there are a plurality of high-intensity lasers 26 and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 for each high-intensity laser, the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 being for directing light from its respective high-intensity laser to a selectable location on the phosphor converter 22. There is also a controller 30 having an input 34 and an output 36 and including at least one microprocessor 32, the microprocessor 32 being programmed jointly to selectively operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the beams of at least two of the high-intensity lasers to the same or closely adjacent locations on the phosphor converter 22. This produces a beam B of higher intensity than the beam produced by a single high-intensity laser.

[0056] According to Figure 8 In a second embodiment of the present disclosure shown, a vehicle 102 is provided with at least one headlight 104 having a fully or partially steerable beam. The headlight 104 can include the lamp 20 shown and described above, the lamp 20 having: a phosphor converter 22 that emits white light from a location struck by light from a high-intensity light (such as a laser); and at least one projection lens 24 for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a beam B in a direction depending on the emission location from the phosphor converter.

[0057] The headlight 104 further includes: at least one high-intensity light source, such as a high-intensity laser 26; and at least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 for directing the laser light from at least one high-intensity laser to a selectable location on the phosphor converter 22.

[0058] Also as described above, the headlamp 104 can further include a controller 30 that includes an input 34 and one or more outputs 36 and at least one microprocessor that is jointly programmed to receive position data from the vehicle 102 via the input 34 and to operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 via the output 36 to direct the laser light from the high-intensity laser 26 to a location on the phosphor converter 22 that will produce a light beam B in a direction toward the location corresponding to the position data provided to the controller.

[0059] In a first alternative version of this second embodiment, the headlamp 104 can include at least two high-intensity lasers 26 and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 for each high-intensity laser that is configured to direct the light from its respective high-intensity laser to a selectable location on the phosphor converter 22. Two or more high-intensity lasers 26 can share a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28, or each high-intensity laser 26 can be provided with its own multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating. The headlamp 104 further includes a controller 30 that has an input 34 and an output 36 and includes at least one microprocessor 22 that is programmed to selectively operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the light beams of at least two of the high-intensity lasers to the same location on the phosphor converter 22. This can increase the intensity of the emission from the phosphor converter and the intensity of the resulting light beam B.

[0060] In a second alternative version of the second embodiment, the headlamp 104 further includes a controller 30 that includes at least one microprocessor 32 that is jointly programmed to receive speed data from the vehicle 102 via the input 34 and to operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 via the output 36 to change the location at which the laser light from the high-intensity laser source 26 impinges on the phosphor converter 22 as the speed of the vehicle 102 changes, thereby changing the direction of the light beam B in a predetermined manner as the speed of the vehicle changes. For example, the direction of the light beam B may be elevated (to illuminate the road further ahead) as the speed of the vehicle 102 increases and lowered (to better illuminate the road closer to the vehicle) as the speed of the vehicle 102 decreases, such that an appropriate portion of the road in front of the vehicle is illuminated for a given speed of the vehicle. This is illustrated in Figure 9 where at t1, the vehicle 102 is traveling at a relatively fast speed and the light beam B of the headlamp 104 is directed more upward to project further along the road, thereby providing sufficient visualization for that speed. At t2, the vehicle 102 has slowed down to pass through an intersection and the light beam B of the headlamp 104 is adjusted more downward to project less far along the road and to better illuminate the space directly in front of the vehicle.

[0061] In a third alternative version of the second embodiment, the headlight 104 further includes a controller 30 having an input 34 and an output 36 and including at least one microprocessor 32, which is jointly programmed to receive turn signal data from the vehicle on the input 34 and to operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 via the output 36 to change the position at which the laser from the high-intensity laser 26 impinges on the phosphor converter 22 during operation of the vehicle turn signal, thereby changing the direction of all or a portion of the light beam B in a predetermined manner, such as turning in the direction of the signaled turn, thereby providing better visualization of the direction in which the vehicle 102 is about to proceed. This is illustrated in Figure 10 wherein at t1, the vehicle 102 is proceeding straight ahead, approaching an intersection, and the light beam B of the headlight 104 is projected forward. At t2, the operator of the vehicle 102 has activated the right turn signal, and the headlight 104 changes the direction of the light beam B to the right to illuminate the operator's intended direction of travel.

[0062] In a fourth alternative version of the second embodiment, the headlight 104 further includes a controller 30 having an input 34 and an output 36, including at least one microprocessor 32, which is jointly programmed to receive turn data (such as from a vehicle steering system or from GPS data) via the input 34 and to operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 via the output 36 to change the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter during a vehicle turn, thereby changing the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner, such as turning in the direction of the turn, thereby providing better visualization of the direction in which the vehicle 102 is proceeding. This is illustrated in Figure 11 wherein at t1, the vehicle 102 is proceeding straight ahead, approaching an intersection, and the light beam B of the headlight 104 is projected forward. At t2, the operator of the vehicle 102 has initiated a right turn, and the headlight 104 changes the direction of the light beam B or a portion of the light beam B to the right to illuminate the operator's direction of travel.

[0063] In a fifth alternative version of the second embodiment, the vehicle 102 has at least one of a lidar, radar, infrared, or optical imaging system 106, and the headlight 104 further includes a controller 30 having an input 34 and an output 36, including at least one microprocessor 32, which is jointly programmed 32 to receive data from the vehicle's imaging system and to operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 to change the position at which the laser from the high-intensity laser source 26 impinges on the phosphor converter 22, thereby changing the direction of the light beam B or a portion of the light beam B in a predetermined manner. For example, as Figure 12As shown, at time t1, vehicle 102 is approaching an intersection, and the light beams B from its headlights 104 are in their normal configuration. At time t2, when vehicle 102 enters the intersection, imaging system 106 detects a possible pedestrian P (or other object of potential interest), and at least one of headlights 104 responds to change the shape and / or direction of light beam B or a portion of light beam B to illuminate the possible pedestrian P.

[0064] If there are multiple headlights 104, as is common, the controller 30 for each headlight 104 among headlights 104 can be connected to coordinate the response of its corresponding headlight, or there can be a single controller for all headlights.

[0065] In each version of this second embodiment and its variations, at least one high-intensity laser 26 is blue or purple, with a wavelength between approximately 400 nanometers and approximately 500 nanometers, and optionally between approximately 400 nm and approximately 450 nm. Similarly, in each version of this second embodiment and its variations, at least one high-intensity laser can be pulsed to reduce heating of the high-intensity laser source and the phosphor converter.

[0066] In each version of this second embodiment and its variations, in addition to at least one high-intensity laser having a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating, headlight 104 can also include at least one high-intensity laser 26 that does not have a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28. This allows light beam B to have a fixed component generated by high-intensity laser 26 that does not have a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating, and one or more steerable components generated by high-intensity laser 26 that has a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28, and the one or more steerable components can respond to various situations encountered, such as increasing the intensity of light beam B, responding to a change in the speed of the vehicle, responding to a turn signal or an actual turn of the vehicle, or responding to a potential obstacle detected by an imaging system on the vehicle.

[0067] According to a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for changing the direction of a light beam or a portion of a light beam of a headlight on a vehicle is provided. The vehicle has: at least one high-intensity laser source 26; a phosphor converter 22 that emits white light from a position where it is struck by light from the laser source; and at least one projection lens 24 for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a light beam in a direction depending on the emission position from the phosphor converter. The method includes operating a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating 28 to change the position where light from at least one high-intensity laser source 26 strikes the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam or a portion of the light beam emitted through at least one projection lens.

[0068] According to one version of the third embodiment, the laser source can be pulsed to reduce the heat generated by at least one high-intensity laser source and the heat applied to the phosphor converter. According to another version of the third embodiment, in response to a change in the speed and / or direction of the vehicle, the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating changes the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam or a portion of the light beam.

[0069] The foregoing description is merely illustrative in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. The broad teachings of the disclosure can be implemented in a variety of forms. Thus, while the disclosure includes specific examples, the true scope of the disclosure should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent upon study of the drawings, the specification, and the following claims. It should be understood that one or more steps within a method can be executed in a different order (or concurrently) without altering the principles of the disclosure. Additionally, although each embodiment is described above as having certain features, any one or more of those features described with respect to any embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented in and / or combined with the features of any other embodiment, even if the combination is not explicitly described. In other words, the described embodiments are not mutually exclusive, and permutations of one or more of the embodiments with each other are still within the scope of the disclosure.

[0070] Spatial and functional relationships between elements (e.g., between modules, circuit elements, semiconductor layers, etc.) are described using various terms, including "connected," "engaged," "coupled," "adjacent," "immediately adjacent," "on," "above," "below," and "disposed." Unless explicitly described as "direct," when describing the relationship between a first and a second element in the foregoing disclosure, the relationship can be a direct relationship in which no other intervening element exists between the first and second elements, but can also be an indirect relationship in which one or more intervening elements (either spatially or functionally) exist between the first and second elements. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A, B, and C" should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C) using non-exclusive logical "or" and should not be construed to mean "at least one of A, at least one of B, and at least one of C."

[0071] In the various figures, the direction of an arrow, as indicated by the arrowhead, generally indicates the information flow (such as data or instructions) of interest for that illustration. For example, when component A and component B exchange various information, but the information transmitted from component A to component B is relevant to that illustration, the arrow can point from component A to component B. This one-way arrow does not imply that no other information is transmitted from component B to component A. Additionally, for the information sent from component A to component B, component B can send a request for that information or receive an acknowledgement to component A.

[0072] In this application, including the following definitions, the term "module" or the term "controller" can be replaced by the term "circuit". The term "module" can refer to, be part of, or include the following: application specific integrated circuit (ASIC); digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital discrete circuits; digital, analog, or mixed analog / digital integrated circuits; combinational logic circuits; field programmable gate array (FPGA); processor circuits (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that execute code; memory circuits (shared, dedicated, or grouped) that store the code executed by the processor circuits; other suitable hardware components that provide the described functionality; or a combination of some or all of the above, such as in a system on a chip.

[0073] The devices and methods described in this application can be implemented, in part or in whole, by a special purpose computer created by configuring a general purpose computer to execute one or more specific functions embodied in a computer program. The functional blocks, flowchart components, and other elements described above serve as a software specification that can be translated into a computer program by the routine work of a skilled technician or programmer.

[0074] The computer program includes processor-executable instructions stored on at least one non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium. The computer program can also include or rely on the stored data. The computer program can cover a basic input / output system (BIOS) that interacts with the hardware of the special purpose computer, device drivers that interact with specific devices of the special purpose computer, one or more operating systems, user applications, background services, background applications, etc.

Claims

1. A headlight with steerable beams combined with a vehicle, comprising: A phosphor converter that emits white light from a position struck by light from a laser; At least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a beam in a direction depending on the emission position of the phosphor converter; At least one high-intensity laser; And At least one multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for guiding the laser from the at least one high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter.

2. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the headlight further comprises a controller, the controller comprising at least one microprocessor programmed to receive position data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the laser to a position on the phosphor converter that will produce a beam in a direction corresponding to the position data.

3. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the headlight comprises a plurality of high-intensity lasers and a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for each high-intensity laser, the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating for guiding the light from its corresponding high-intensity laser to a selectable position on the phosphor converter, and further comprises a controller, the controller comprising at least one microprocessor programmed to selectively operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to direct the beams of at least two of the high-intensity lasers to the same position on the phosphor converter.

4. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the headlight further comprises a controller, the controller comprising at least one microprocessor programmed to receive speed data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter as the speed changes, thereby changing the direction of the beam in a predetermined manner as the speed changes.

5. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the headlight further comprises a controller, the controller comprising at least one microprocessor programmed to receive turn signal data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter when the vehicle turn signal is operated, thereby changing the direction of the beam in a predetermined manner.

6. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the headlight further comprises a controller, the controller comprising at least one microprocessor programmed to receive turn data and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position where the laser strikes the phosphor converter when the vehicle turns, thereby changing the direction of the beam in a predetermined manner.

7. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle has at least one of a lidar, a radar, an ultrasonic, or an optical imaging system, and wherein the headlamp further includes a controller, the controller including at least one microprocessor programmed to receive data from the imaging system and operate the multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam in a predetermined manner.

8. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the at least one high-intensity laser has a blue or violet wavelength between approximately 400 nm and approximately 450 nm.

9. The combination according to claim 1, wherein the lamp includes at least one high-intensity laser that does not have a corresponding multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating and at least one high-intensity laser that has a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating.

10. A method of changing the direction of a light beam of a headlamp on a vehicle, the vehicle having: a high-intensity laser source; a phosphor converter that emits white light from a position impinged upon by light from the laser; and at least one projection lens for transmitting the white light emitted from the phosphor converter as a light beam in a direction depending on the emission position from the phosphor converter, the method including operating a multi-stage biaxial liquid crystal polarization grating to change the position at which the laser impinges on the phosphor converter, thereby changing the direction of the light beam.

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