Asymmetrical Light Deflection Areas in Motor Vehicle Headlight Modules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle headlight light modules require a large installation depth and feature sharp-edged separations between light exit surfaces, making them difficult to implement using standard tools.

Innovation Solution

The light module design incorporates asymmetrical light deflection areas within the attachment optics, with varying curvatures and inclinations to deflect light in different directions, eliminating the need for strong tilting or sharp edges at light exit surfaces, allowing for a flatter primary optics configuration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If the light deflection region uses rotationally symmetrical design with strong tilting of light exit surface, then light deflection in desired directions is achieved, but the installation depth increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight deflection capabilityVSAvoidinstallation depth
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by dividing the light deflection region into first and second sub-regions with different curvatures and inclinations. The first sub-region has a first curvature/inclination for deflecting light in a first direction, while the second sub-region has a second curvature/inclination for deflecting light in a second direction. This asymmetric design eliminates the need for strong tilting of the light exit surface, thereby reducing installation depth while achieving the desired light deflection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the light deflection region into multiple sub-regions (first sub-region and second sub-region), each with distinct optical characteristics. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each sub-region's curvature and inclination to achieve specific light deflection directions without requiring overall strong tilting, thus reducing installation depth while maintaining effective light control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Shape

If sharp-edged separations are used between light exit surfaces of individual attachment lenses, then distinct light control zones are created, but manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight control zone separationVSAvoidtooling implementation
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating distinct optical characteristics in different sub-regions through varying curvatures and inclinations rather than using sharp-edged separations. Each sub-region has locally optimized surface properties that provide the necessary light control, avoiding the manufacturing complexity of sharp edges while maintaining functional separation of light control zones.

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 design achieves effective light deflection without sharp edges, improving the production process and reducing glare for oncoming traffic while maintaining compliance with legal light distributions.

Implementation Method 1

a light deflection region, which comprises a first sub-region and a second sub-region... such that a direction of a first optical axis of the first sub-area differs from a direction of a second optical axis of the second sub-area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

The light deflection region of a respective auxiliary optics comprises a first sub-region and a second sub-region... with varying curvatures and inclinations to deflect light in different directions

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOptical refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4273440B1Light module with multiple auxiliary optics
Publication Date: 2024.11.20 MARELLI GERMANY GMBH
  • EP4273440B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4273440B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4273440B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~4c

AI summary

Light module (20) for a motor vehicle headlight (10) with semiconductor light sources (22; 72), and a primary optics unit (24), wherein the primary optics unit (24) comprises auxiliary optics (26; 70). It is provided that light deflection areas (36, 74) of the auxiliary optics (26; 70) each comprise first sub-areas (38; 76) and second sub-areas (40; 78), wherein a curvature and/or an inclination of the sub-area (38; 76, 40; 78) is configured differently, such that a direction of optical axes (46) of the first sub-areas (38; 76) differs from a direction of optical axes (48) of the second sub-areas (40; 78).