Adaptive Headlamp Optics for Glare-Free Beam Shaping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing adaptive headlamps for vehicles are costly and prone to failure due to oscillating light sources, which complicates the effective reduction of glare for oncoming vehicles and pedestrians.

Innovation Solution

The adaptive-driving beam headlamp employs multiple LED matrices with toric-shaped projection lenses and a beam shaping optic, allowing independent control of LEDs to dim or turn off specific beam segments, reducing glare by shaping light patterns both horizontally and vertically.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If oscillating light sources are used in adaptive headlamps, then beam direction can be adjusted, but the system becomes costly and prone to failure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam direction adjustmentVSAvoidsystem failure rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp is divided into multiple independently controllable LED modules arranged in a matrix configuration. Each LED can be individually controlled to create different beam patterns and directions, replacing the need for mechanical oscillation while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical oscillating light source system is replaced with an electronic control system that independently activates specific LEDs within the matrix. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts, reducing complexity and improving reliability while achieving the same beam direction adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple optical components are used for light shaping, then beam precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam shaping precisionVSAvoidnumber of optical components
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple optical functions (light emission, collimation, and beam shaping) are integrated into a single LED matrix structure with precisely positioned LEDs. The matrix configuration itself serves as the light-shaping mechanism, eliminating the need for separate optical components and reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the LED matrix have LEDs that are independently controlled to create specific beam patterns. Each LED or group of LEDs can be activated or deactivated to shape the beam locally, allowing precise beam control without requiring additional optical components for each adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution provides effective glare reduction while simplifying the alignment of optics and reducing the number of components, enhancing the control over light shaping and reducing the likelihood of system failure.

Implementation Method 1

A first projection lens is oriented to receive light emitted from the first plurality of LEDs for projecting a first light output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

An optic spanning the first light output and second light output is oriented for shaping the first light output and the second light output to create a light pattern ahead of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3847055B1Adaptive headlamp for optically and electronically shaping light
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 FLEX N GATE ADVANCED PROD DEV LLC
  • EP3847055B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3847055B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3847055B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An adaptive driving beam headlamp includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) aligned in a first direction. One or more projection lenses having a toric-shape are adapted for shaping light emitted from the plurality of LEDs along the first direction. A beam shaping optic is adapted to shape light emitted from the one or more projection lenses along a second direction, different from the first direction, such that a desired beam shaping pattern is produced by the beam shaping optic in combination with the one or more projection lenses. A controller is adapted for independently controlling each of the plurality of LEDs for adaptively dimming portions of a vehicle headlamp beam of light.