Adjustable Headlight Optics for Multi-Function Light Patterns
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle headlight illumination devices require numerous lighting components and complex configurations to produce multiple light functions, leading to a cumbersome structure with many parts.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a plurality of spaced light sources emitting divergent beams, an optically active region with scattering elements, and an adjustment mechanism that changes the normal distance between the light sources and the optical device to achieve different light functions by overlapping or maintaining separate light beams, allowing for simple production of various light functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If numerous lighting components and differently configured projection lenses are used to produce several light functions, then the illumination device can achieve multiple light functions, but the structure becomes complex and the number of parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
A single optical device with an optically active region containing scattering elements performs multiple light functions by adjusting the distance between the light source surface and the optically active region. The same optical device can produce both a first light function with overlap-free luminous spots and a second light function with overlapping luminous spots, eliminating the need for multiple different projection lenses and light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination device changes the normal distance parameter between the light source surface and the optically active region to achieve different light functions. By adjusting this distance parameter, the device transitions between different operating states: first operating state with overlap-free luminous spots for one light function, and second operating state with overlapping luminous spots for another light function.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the normal distance between light sources and optical device is increased to achieve overlapping luminous spots, then a homogeneous overall light image is formed, but the individual light source positions become less distinguishable
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device dynamically adjusts the normal distance between the light source surface and the optically active region based on the desired light function. The adjustment means enables the device to switch between different distance configurations: a first normal distance for distinguishable light source positions and a second, greater normal distance for homogeneous overall illumination, allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
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
Enables the production of multiple light functions with a reduced number of components, providing a homogeneous illumination in one state and distinct source recognition in another, while increasing the service life of the optical device by minimizing heat exposure in a third state.
Implementation Method 1
the optically active region of the optical device has scattering elements, which are configured to scatter the light of the light sources around the main emission direction when passing through the optically active region
Data Source
AI summary
Illumination device, for a motor vehicle headlight, has an illuminant and an optical device associated therewith. The optical device has adjustment means to adjust operating states (OS) of the optical device. In a first OS, the optical device forms a first light function with light of the illuminant. In a second OS, the optical device forms a second light function different from the first light function with light of the illuminant. The illuminant includes light sources spaced apart from one another, and the optical device has scattering elements to scatter the light of the light sources. The adjustment means is configured to adjust the optical device such that in the first OS, the optical device has a first normal distance to the light sources and, in the second OS, has a second normal distance to the light sources, wherein the second normal distance is greater than the first normal distance.