Headlamp using digital micromirror device and static reflector

Abstract

To provide a vehicle headlamp that improves nighttime driving safety of a vehicle. The headlamp (100) includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) reflector (106), a light source (102), and a projection optical system (112). The DMD reflector (106) includes a DMD (108) and static reflectors (110) disposed on multiple sides of the DMD (108). The light source (102) is positioned to illuminate the DMD reflector (106). The projection optical system (112) is configured to project light reflected by the DMD (108) and light reflected by the static reflectors (110) through the same lens system.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] Glare-free forward lighting has become a critical goal for improving nighttime driving safety of vehicles. Vehicle headlamps using patterned beams have been proposed to dynamically illuminate the field of view. In some applications, the headlamp beam pattern may be modified based on data from various sources, including forward sensors, indicators or beacons located on the road, along with position or traffic data from a GPS receiver, or even attitude sensors. Headlamp systems using dynamic beam adaptation could potentially provide a wide range of applications, including glare-free high beam, pedestrian face masking, animal spotlighting, target coloring, reflection reduction, vehicle attitude compensation, adaptive forward beam steering, and road-based projected information. This enables many applications of Summary of the Invention

[0002] In the described example, the headlamp includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) reflector, a light source, and projection optics. The DMD reflector includes a DMD and static reflectors disposed on multiple sides of the DMD. The light source is positioned to illuminate the DMD reflector. The projection optics is configured to project light reflected by the DMD and light reflected by the static reflector through the same lens system. The headlamp can be a vehicle headlamp.

[0003] In another embodiment, a headlamp includes a DMD reflector and a light source. The DMD reflector includes a DMD and a static reflector. The static reflector is disposed on multiple sides of the DMD. The static reflector includes a fixed portion, a movable portion, and an actuator. The actuator is configured to move the movable portion from a first position to a second position. The light source is disposed to illuminate the DMD reflector. The headlamp can be a vehicle headlamp.

[0004] In a further embodiment, the lamp reflector includes a DMD and a static reflector, the static reflector being disposed on multiple sides of the DMD, the static reflector including a static reflective grating, the tilt angle of the static reflective grating being at least as large as the tilt angle of the mirrors of the DMD.

[0005] In yet another embodiment, a headlamp includes a reflector module, a light source, and projection optics. The reflector module includes a spatial light modulator, a static reflector, a light source, and projection optics. The static reflectors are disposed on multiple sides of the spatial light modulator. The light source is positioned to illuminate the reflector module. The projection optics is configured to project light from the spatial light modulator and light reflected by the static reflector through the same lens system. The headlamp can be a vehicle headlamp. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle headlamp in accordance with various embodiments.

[0007] [Diagram 2] 1 illustrates a headlamp reflector including a digital micromirror device (DMD) and a static reflector according to various embodiments.

[0008] [Diagram 3] 1 shows details of a static reflector suitable for use in a headlamp reflector having a DMD according to various embodiments.

[0009] [Figure 4] 1 illustrates a headlamp reflector including a digital micromirror device (DMD) and a static reflector according to various embodiments.

[0010] [Figure 5A]1 illustrates a headlamp reflector including a DMD and a movable static reflector according to various embodiments. [Figure 5B] 1 illustrates a headlamp reflector including a DMD and a movable static reflector according to various embodiments.

[0011] [Figure 6] 1 illustrates a flow chart for a method for controlling a position of a movable part of a static reflector according to various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] In this description, the term "couple" means either an indirect or direct wired or wireless connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, the connection may be through a direct connection or an indirect connection through other devices and connections.

[0013] Some vehicle headlamps provide pixel-level control of the high beam using a matrix of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or using a digital micromirror device (DMD). The higher resolution of the DMD allows the DMD-based headlamp to provide much finer control of the high beam profile than an LED matrix. However, the DMD is a semiconductor device and is subject to the usual constraints of semiconductor technology. For example, like any semiconductor device, the DMD operates over a limited temperature range. To accommodate this constraint of the DMD, a conventional DMD-based headlamp may include a thermal control system that attempts to regulate the temperature of the DMD, or may include a backup lighting system to operate in place of the DMD if the temperature of the DMD exceeds operating specifications. Either of these options may add significant cost and complexity to the headlamp. Also, a conventional DMD-based headlamp may include a dedicated low beam and / or mid-beam lighting system in addition to the DMD high beam system, which also adds cost and complexity to the headlamp.

[0014] Exemplary embodiments include a DMD-based vehicle headlamp that can operate beyond the specified temperature range of the DMD device without complex temperature control or backup lighting systems. Embodiments also enable low beam generation without including a dedicated low beam lighting system. The headlamp described herein includes static reflectors disposed on multiple sides of the DMD. The static reflectors may include gratings fixed at an appropriate angle to reflect light in a desired pattern. In some embodiments, the static reflector is subdivided into multiple areas, each of which is illuminated by a different light source (e.g., a different LED). The light source may be modulated to provide control of the lighting pattern generated through the static reflector.

[0015] In some embodiments of the headlamp, a portion of the static reflector is movable. In a first position, the movable portion of the static reflector is located in front of the DMD. Thus, in the first position, the movable portion of the static reflector reflects light instead of the DMD (e.g., the movable portion of the static reflector provides high beam functionality). In a second position, the movable portion of the static reflector is positioned so that the DMD can reflect incident light (e.g., the DMD provides high beam functionality). Embodiments may position the movable portion of the static reflector to provide high beam functionality based on temperature, external light conditions, or other environmental factors that may affect the operation of the DMD.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a vehicle headlamp 100 according to various embodiments. The headlamp 100 includes a light source 102, a reflector 106, and projection optics 112. The light source 102 includes one or more LEDs 104 that project light onto the reflector 106. Some embodiments of the light source 102 may include a light generating device other than or in addition to the LEDs. The light source 102 may include modulation circuitry to control the output intensity of the one or more LEDs 104 by switching (e.g., pulse width modulating) a control signal to the LEDs 104 or by varying a drive current provided to the LEDs 104. For example, the modulation circuitry may provide individual control of the respective emission intensity of each of the LEDs 104.

[0017] Light generated by light source 102 is projected onto reflector 106. Reflector 106 includes DMD 108 and static reflector 110. DMD 108 is one example of a spatial light modulator suitable for use in headlamp 100. In some embodiments of headlamp 100, DMD 108 may be replaced with a liquid crystal on silicon (LCO) device, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, or other spatial light modulation technology. Thus, the embodiments described herein encompass headlamps using a variety of spatial modulation technologies, including DMD, LCOS, LCD, etc.

[0018] The inclusion of the static reflector 110 in the reflector 106 provides a number of advantages. The static reflector 110 increases the active area of ​​the reflector 106, thereby increasing the etendue without increasing the area of ​​the DMD 108. The static reflector 110 can be used to increase the size of the light source 102 (e.g., by increasing the number of LEDs 104 included in the light source 102) to provide a wider field of view and higher brightness. The static reflector 110 can be positioned proximate at least two sides of the DMD. Examples of the static reflector 110 can include a flat mirror, a curved mirror, and / or a Fresnel element that reflects light received from the light source 102.

[0019] Light reflected by the reflector 106 is directed to projection optics 112. The projection optics 112 can be any lens or lens system that captures the light reflected by the reflector 106 and projects the captured light away from the headlamp 100, e.g., onto the road. In an embodiment of the vehicle headlamp 100, a single assembly of projection optics 112 (e.g., a single lens system) receives reflected light from both the DMD 108 and the static reflector 110 and projects the reflected light away from the headlamp 100. In this manner, an embodiment uses a single set of projection optics 112 for both the DMD 108 and the static reflector 110, rather than separate projection optics for the different reflectors as is conventional.

[0020] 2 illustrates a headlamp reflector 200 including a DMD 108 and static reflectors 202, 204, and 206. The headlamp reflector 200 is an example of the reflector 106, and the static reflectors 202, 204, and 206 are examples of the static reflector 110. The areas of the static reflectors 202, 206 located on the left and right sides of the DMD 108 are approximately equal. Thus, the arrangement of the static reflectors 202 and 206 can be described as symmetrical with respect to the DMD 108. In some embodiments, the static reflectors 202, 204, and 206 can be provided as a monolithic unit. In other embodiments, the static reflectors 202, 204, and 206, and / or sub-portions thereof, can be provided as separate units.

[0021] The DMD 108 provides adaptive beam steering and shaping of the field of view by modulating the incident light through the micromirrors. Limited beam matching can be provided with the static reflectors 202, 204, and 206 by modulating the light output of the light source 102 that is directed to the static reflectors 202, 204, and / or 206. For example, an area 214 of the static reflector 202 can be illuminated by a first LED and an area 216 of the static reflector 202 can be illuminated by a second LED, where the light output of the first LED can differ in intensity and / or modulation from the light output of the second LED to provide the limited beam matching.

[0022] 2, light 212 is directed toward static reflector 202 from a first direction, light 210 is directed toward static reflector 204 and DMD 108 from a second direction, and light 208 is directed toward static reflector 206 from a third direction. The angles of reflection of static reflectors 202, 204, and 206 and DMD 108 can be selected to direct light 208, 210, and 210 toward projection optics 112.

[0023] 3 shows details of an embodiment of a static reflector 110 suitable for use in a headlamp reflector 106 having a DMD 108 according to various embodiments. The static reflector 110 includes a reflective grating 302. In some embodiments, the pitch angle (θg) of the reflective grating 302 may be approximately the same as or greater than the angle of the mirrors of the DMD 108 in the “on” state. The grating pitch (Pg) (e.g., the distance between the grating vertices) may be greater than the pitch of the mirrors in the DMD 108. In various embodiments, the pitch and angle of the reflective grating 302 may be uniform or may vary across the static reflector 110. In some embodiments of the static reflector 110, the reflective grating 302 or reflective material may be coplanar with the DMD 108 or may be disposed in a plane offset from the plane corresponding to the DMD 108. In various embodiments, the reflective grating 302 or reflective material may be disposed on either side of a glass substrate or may be embedded in the glass substrate.

[0024] When using the embodiment of the headlamp reflector 200 to implement a vehicle headlight, overlap of the left and right headlamp beams may cause the beams from the static reflectors 202, 204, and 206 to overlap the image generated by the DMD 108 at a distance from the headlamp, depending on the field of view. This overlap may reduce the effective addressable resolution on the road. FIG. 4 shows a headlamp reflector 400 that may reduce the static reflector overlap and degrade the effectiveness of the DMD 108. The headlamp reflector 400 includes the DMD 108 and static reflectors 402 and 404. The headlamp reflector 400 is an embodiment of the reflector 106, and the static reflectors 402 and 404 are an embodiment of the static reflector 110. Static reflector 402 is disposed on one side of DMD 108, and static reflector 404 is disposed below DMD 108. Reflector 400 does not have a static reflector adjacent to one side of DMD 108. Thus, the placement of static reflectors 402 and 404 may be described as asymmetric with respect to DMD 108. In some embodiments, static reflectors 402 and 404 may be provided as a monolithic unit. In other embodiments, static reflectors 402 and 404 may be provided as separate units.

[0025] DMD 108 provides adaptive beam steering and shaping of the field of view by modulating the incident light through the micromirrors. Limited beam adaptation can be provided with static reflectors 402 and 404 by modulating the light output of light source 102 that is directed towards static reflectors 402 and 404.

[0026] 5A and 5B show a headlamp reflector 500 including a movable static reflector, according to various embodiments. The headlamp reflector 500 includes a DMD 108, fixed static reflectors 502, 504, 506, a movable static reflector 508, and an actuator 510. The headlamp reflector 500 is an embodiment of the reflector 106, and the static reflectors 502, 504, 506, and 508 are an embodiment of the static reflector 110. In the illustrated embodiment of the reflector 500, a symmetrical static reflector arrangement is shown with respect to the DMD 108 in that the areas of the static reflectors 502 and 506 located on the left and right sides of the DMD 108 are approximately equal. In some embodiments, the relationship of the static reflectors to the DMD 108 may be asymmetric (e.g., as shown in FIG. 4).

[0027] The static reflector 508 is movable. In FIG. 5A, the static reflector 508 is positioned to enable use of the DMD 108 to reflect light generated by the light source 102. In FIG. 5B, the static reflector 508 is positioned to disable use of the DMD 108 and enable the static reflector 508 to reflect light generated by the light source 102. The static reflector 508 is coupled to an actuator 510. The actuator 510 may be an electromagnetic or other device that may move the static reflector 508 between at least two positions. The actuator is coupled to a movable reflector control circuitry 512. The movable reflector control circuitry 512 monitors environmental conditions, such as temperature and / or external illumination, and controls the actuator 510 based on measurements of the environmental conditions. The movable reflector control circuitry 512, or portions thereof, may be located remotely from the reflector 500 and the headlamp 100. For example, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 may include or be coupled to sensors such as a temperature sensor 514 and / or an illumination sensor 516 located on the reflector 500 and / or on the headlamp 100, while circuitry that processes the output of the sensors (e.g., a digitizer, microcontroller, etc.) is located outside the headlamp 100 (e.g., in the engine compartment, within the vehicle, etc.).

[0028] In some embodiments, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 applies a temperature sensor 514 to measure the temperature of or near the DMD 108. If the measured temperature does not exceed a predetermined temperature threshold (e.g., 105 degrees Celsius), the movable reflector control circuitry 512 may assert control to the actuator 510 to cause the actuator 510 to position the static reflector 508 as shown in FIG. 5A. If the temperature of the DMD 108 or near the DMD 108 exceeds the predetermined temperature threshold, such as may occur in high ambient temperatures such as driving in the desert, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 may assert control to the actuator 510 to cause the actuator 510 to position the static reflector 508 as shown in FIG. 5B. Similarly, if the illumination level does not exceed the predetermined illumination threshold, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 may assert control to the actuator 510 to cause the actuator 510 to position the static reflector 508 as shown in FIG. 5A. When the lighting level exceeds a predetermined lighting threshold (such as in daylight conditions exhibiting high sunlight), the movable reflector control circuitry 512 may assert control to the actuator 510 to cause the actuator 510 to position the static reflector 508 as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0029] In some embodiments of the headlamp 500, the default position of the static reflector 508 may be as shown in Figure 5B, with the static reflector 508 covering the DMD 108. For example, a spring coupled to the static reflector 508 may position the static reflector 508 to cover the DMD 108 in the absence of a force applied by the actuator 510 to move the static reflector 508 away from the DMD 108 as in Figure 5A. The DMD 108 and associated circuitry may be powered down while the static reflector 508 is positioned to cover the DMD 108.

[0030] 6 illustrates a flow chart of a method 600 for controlling a position of a movable portion of a static reflector according to various embodiments. Although shown sequentially for convenience, at least some of the actions shown may be performed in a different order and / or in parallel. Also, some implementations may perform only some of the actions shown. In some implementations, at least some of the operations of the method 600 may be implemented by the headlamp 500.

[0031] In block 602 , a temperature sensor 514 located in the headlamp 500 measures the temperature of the DMD 108 or measures the temperature of the headlamp 500 proximate to the DMD 108 .

[0032] In block 604, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 compares the output of the temperature sensor 514 to a temperature threshold value that represents a temperature at or below which the static reflector 508 may be positioned to cause the DMD 108 to reflect light. For example, at temperatures below 105° C., the static reflector 508 may be positioned to cause the DMD 108 to reflect light, while at temperatures above 105° C., the static reflector 508 may be positioned to cover the DMD 108 and reflect light instead of the DMD 108.

[0033] If, in block 604, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 514 is not below the temperature threshold, in block 606, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 asserts control to the actuator 510 to cause the actuator 510 to position the static reflector 508 over the DMD 108 as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0034] If, at block 604, the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 514 is below the temperature threshold, then, at block 608, a lighting sensor 516 located within or proximate to the headlamp 500 measures the intensity of lighting outside the headlamp 500.

[0035] In block 610, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 compares the output of the illumination sensor 516 to an illumination threshold. The illumination threshold represents an illumination level at or below which the static reflector 508 may be positioned so that the DMD 108 may reflect light. For example, at illumination levels below 100,000 lux, the static reflector 508 may be positioned so that the DMD may reflect light, while at illumination levels above 100,000 lux, the static reflector 508 may be positioned to cover the DMD 108 and reflect light instead of the DMD 108.

[0036] If, in block 610, the illumination measured by the illumination sensor 516 is not below the illumination threshold, in block 606, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 asserts control to the actuator 510 to cause the actuator 510 to position the static reflector 508 over the DMD 108 as shown in FIG. 5B.

[0037] In block 610, if the illumination measured by the illumination sensor 516 is below the illumination threshold, in block 612, the movable reflector control circuitry 512 asserts control to the actuator 510 to cause the actuator 510 to position the static reflector 508 so as not to cover the DMD 108, as shown in FIG. 5A.

[0038] Modifications may be made to the exemplary embodiments described, and other embodiments are possible, within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A headlamp, a digital micromirror device (DMD) reflector including a DMD, a fixed static reflector disposed on one side of the DMD, a movable static reflector, and an actuator configured to move the movable static reflector from a first position to a second position; a light source positioned to illuminate the DMD reflector; Including, headlamp.

2. 2. The headlamp of claim 1, A headlamp, wherein in the first position, the movable static reflector is positioned to block the DMD from light exposure, and in the second position, the movable static reflector is positioned to expose the DMD to light.

3. 2. The headlamp of claim 1, A control circuit element comprising: monitoring the temperature of the DMD; triggering the actuator to move the movable static reflector from the first position to the second position based on a temperature of the DMD being below a predetermined limit. The headlamp further comprises the control circuitry configured to:

4. 2. The headlamp of claim 1, A control circuit element comprising: monitoring light outside the headlamp; triggering the actuator to move the movable static reflector from the first position to the second position based on an intensity of light outside the headlamp being below a predetermined limit. The headlamp further comprises the control circuitry configured to:

5. 2. The headlamp of claim 1, The headlamp, wherein the fixed static reflector further includes a static reflective grating having a pitch angle at least as large as an angle of the DMD mirror in an on state.

6. 2. The headlamp of claim 1, the DMD has a left end and a right end opposite the left end, The headlamp, wherein the fixed static reflector includes a first static reflector adjacent a left end of the DMD and a second static reflector adjacent a right end of the DMD, the first static reflector and the second static reflector being symmetrical about a centerline of the DMD.

7. 2. The headlamp of claim 1, the DMD having a first end and a second end opposite the first end; The headlamp, wherein a first end of the DMD is adjacent to the fixed static reflector and a second end of the DMD is not adjacent to the fixed static reflector.

8. 2. The headlamp of claim 1, The headlamp further includes control circuitry configured to modulate an intensity of light generated by the light source that is directed toward the static reflector.

9. A lamp reflector comprising: A digital micromirror device (DMD); a static reflector disposed on multiple sides of the DMD, the static reflector including a static reflective grating, the pitch angle of the static reflective grating being at least as large as the angle of the mirror of the DMD in an on state; Including, a lamp reflector.

10. 10. A lamp reflector according to claim 9, A lamp reflector, wherein a portion of the static reflector is movable from a first position that blocks the DMD from light exposure to a second position that exposes the DMD to light.

11. 11. A lamp reflector according to claim 10, 11. A lamp reflector, further comprising: an actuator coupled to a portion of the static reflector that is movable, the actuator configured to move the portion of the static reflector that is movable from the first position to the second position.

12. A headlamp, a reflector module including a spatial light modulator and static reflectors disposed on multiple sides of the spatial light modulator, the static reflectors including movable static reflectors movable from a first position that blocks the spatial light modulator from light exposure to a second position that exposes the spatial light modulator to light; a light source arranged to direct light towards the reflector module; a projection optical system configured to project the light from the spatial light modulator and the light reflected by the static reflector through the same lens system; Including, The headlamp, wherein the movable static reflector is configured to direct the light towards the projection optics.

13. 13. The headlamp of claim 12, The headlamp, further comprising an actuator coupled to the movable static reflector, the actuator configured to move the movable static reflector from the first position to the second position.

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