Adaptive Headlight Module With Micro-Lens Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlight systems lack adaptability in illumination patterns, typically offering only high and low beam settings, which limits their ability to tailor light distribution to various driving conditions effectively, such as city driving, highway driving, and situations requiring reduced glare for oncoming traffic.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive light module comprising an LED array, illumination and projection micro-lens arrays, collimating optics, and an aperture layer, allowing for customizable light distribution by selectively activating LED subsets and adjusting the position of optical elements to create a variety of illumination patterns with reduced glare for oncoming drivers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional headlight systems use fixed high/low beam settings, then the structure is simple and cost-effective, but the adaptability to various driving conditions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight system is segmented into multiple independently controllable LED modules, each capable of being activated or deactivated based on driving conditions. This allows the system to provide different illumination patterns (high beam, low beam, city driving, highway driving) by selectively activating specific modules, thereby achieving high adaptability without requiring a completely complex system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic control of LED module activation and optical element positioning to adapt illumination patterns in real-time based on detected driving conditions. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the headlights to transition between different beam patterns and intensity levels, providing versatility while maintaining a relatively simple underlying structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If headlight systems provide multiple illumination patterns, then adaptability improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple illumination functions are merged into a single integrated headlight assembly that uses shared optical components (reflectors, lenses, housings) across different LED modules. This merging approach allows the system to provide diverse illumination patterns while avoiding the need to manufacture separate complete headlight units for each function, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The headlight assembly is designed as a universal platform where a single structure supports multiple illumination patterns through selective activation of different LED modules. The optical components are designed to work with multiple module types, enabling one assembly to serve multiple driving conditions without requiring specialized manufacturing for each pattern type.
3Illumination intensity
If LED modules are selectively activated based on driving conditions, then illumination homogeneity improves, but control system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system is designed to automatically detect driving conditions and independently determine which LED modules to activate without requiring complex external intervention. This self-service capability allows the system to maintain illumination homogeneity by selectively activating appropriate modules while keeping the control logic relatively simple and intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor driving conditions and automatically adjust LED module activation to maintain optimal illumination homogeneity. This feedback loop enables the control system to respond dynamically to changing conditions while using straightforward control algorithms, avoiding the need for overly complex control architecture.
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
The solution provides improved illumination homogeneity, manufacturing ease, cost-effectiveness, and output efficiency, enabling tailored light distribution based on driving conditions, reducing glare for oncoming traffic while maintaining sufficient illumination for the road ahead.
Implementation Method 1
at least one collimating optic interposed between the light source and the illumination MLA, where the collimating optic is configured to collimate light generated by the LED light source prior to the light entering the illumination MLA
Implementation Method 2
an illumination micro-lens-array (MLA), where a first focal length corresponds to the illumination MLA; (iii) a projection MLA, where a second focal length corresponds to the projection MLA
Implementation Method 3
an aperture layer interposed between the projection MLA and the illumination MLA, where the aperture layer is configured to provide a cut-off in the illumination field-of-view (FoV) generated by the adaptive light module
Data Source
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AI summary
An adaptive light module (100) for incorporation into a vehicle's headlight assembly is provided, where the light module (100) may be incorporated as a single unit, or incorporated as one of a plurality of units. The light module (100), which uses an LED array (101), collimating optics (103), illumination (105) and projection (109) micro-lens-arrays (MLAs), is configured to allow tailoring of the illumination intensity distribution by selectively activating/deactivating subsets of the LED array (101).