Adjustable Lens Array for Dynamic Vehicle Headlight Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting systems lack the ability to dynamically adjust illumination patterns and colors in response to varying driving conditions, user input, and sensor data, limiting their adaptability and effectiveness in enhancing visibility and communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of an electrically adjustable light system comprising a light source, a light collimator, an adjustable lens array with first and second arrays of lens elements, and an electrically adjustable light modulator, allowing for individual adjustment of light modulator elements and light source settings to create desired beam patterns and colors for headlight illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional fixed lighting systems are used, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to different driving conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustability in the lighting system through an adjustable lens array that can change its configuration in response to sensor data and user input. The lens array transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic one that can alter beam patterns, color, and intensity, enabling the system to adapt to varying driving conditions while maintaining a relatively compact form factor.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple parameters simultaneously including beam pattern, color temperature, and intensity levels based on detected driving conditions. The lens array can modify these parameters by adjusting the alignment and configuration of individual lens elements, allowing versatile adaptation without requiring completely different lighting hardware for each mode.
2Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable lens array with light modulator is implemented, then illumination patterns and colors can be varied, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens array is divided into multiple individually adjustable lens elements that can be controlled independently. This segmentation allows precise control over the light distribution pattern by adjusting specific lens elements, enabling complex illumination patterns to be created from simpler individual components rather than requiring a monolithic complex lens system.
Solution Approach 2:
A light modulator is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the lens array. This modulator acts as a mediator that can dynamically adjust the light properties (intensity, color, pattern) by filtering and modifying the light before it reaches the lens array, simplifying the overall control mechanism while enabling versatile illumination patterns.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources and adjustable components are used, then the lighting system can provide diverse illumination modes, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lens array and light modulator are designed as multi-functional components that can perform multiple functions including beam shaping, color filtering, intensity regulation, and pattern generation. This universality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, simplifying manufacturing and assembly while enabling diverse lighting modes from a unified system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple lighting functions into integrated components - the lens array integrates beam shaping and focusing functions, while the light modulator combines color filtering and intensity control. By merging these functions into unified components rather than separate assemblies, the manufacturing process is simplified and the system achieves versatile illumination capabilities more efficiently.
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 adaptive illumination that can switch between high-beam and low-beam modes, steer beams, spotlight objects, and communicate with pedestrians, enhancing visibility and safety under different conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a light collimator that receives light from the light source and outputs collimated light rays
Implementation Method 2
Each of the first lens elements focuses light through a respective opening in the mask and through a corresponding one of the adjustable light modulator elements
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle may have lights such as headlights and other vehicle lights for providing vehicle illumination. The lights may be electrically adjustable so that the color and pattern of the illumination may be varied. Sensor data and/or other data may be used in determining how to adjust the lights. A light such as headlight may have a light source such as a white light source or multicolored light source, a light collimator that receives light from the light source, and an adjustable lens array that receives collimated light from the light collimator and outputs corresponding adjustable vehicle illumination. The adjustable lens array may have fixed and/or adjustable lens elements and corresponding electrically adjustable light modulator elements.