Automobile Lamp Micro Lens Array Beam Pattern Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Micro lens arrays used in automobiles have a limited diffusion angle of light, restricting their application to only welcome light functions and failing to meet regulatory requirements for beam patterns in lighting functions such as low beams.
Innovation Solution
A lamp design incorporating a micro lens array module with an entrance lens array, an exit lens array, and a shield with protrusions and recesses, which aligns or misaligns optical axes to control light distribution, forming a beam pattern that satisfies regulatory standards by adjusting the light's path and intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a micro lens array is used to form beam patterns, then the welcome light function is achieved, but the diffusion angle is limited to about 15 degrees and other lighting functions cannot be performed
Solution Approach 1:
The micro lens array is divided into multiple sections (first micro lens array section, second micro lens array section, third micro lens array section) with different optical characteristics. Each section has lenses with different focal lengths or optical axes oriented at different angles, enabling the system to perform multiple lighting functions (welcome light, low beam, high beam) by selectively controlling which sections are active.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the micro lens array are designed with locally optimized properties. The first section has lenses with longer focal lengths for wide-angle welcome light, while the second and third sections have lenses with shorter focal lengths and specific angular orientations for directional beam patterns. This local differentiation enables each region to contribute to specific lighting functions.
2Reliability
If beam patterns are formed using a micro lens array, then lighting functions are achieved, but the beam patterns do not satisfy regulatory requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is divided into multiple sections (first shield section, second shield section, third shield section) corresponding to different micro lens array sections. Each shield section has specifically designed protrusions and recesses that control light blocking and passing in correspondence with the optical characteristics of the associated micro lens section, enabling regulatory-compliant beam patterns for different lighting functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield structure incorporates asymmetric protrusions and recesses with specific geometries and positions. The protrusions have varying heights and widths, and the recesses have different depths, creating asymmetric light blocking patterns that shape the beam to meet regulatory requirements for low beam and high beam functions while preventing glare to oncoming traffic.
3Illumination intensity
If the optical axes of entrance and exit lenses are aligned, then high luminous intensity is achieved in the central region, but brightness in peripheral areas cannot be reduced to prevent dazzle
Solution Approach 1:
The micro lens array is segmented into functional zones where the first section maintains aligned optical axes for high central intensity, while the second and third sections have deliberately misaligned optical axes at specific angles. This segmentation allows different regions to serve different purposes: central illumination versus peripheral light control.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of aligning all optical axes to maximize central intensity, the invention inverts the approach by deliberately misaligning the optical axes of lenses in the second and third sections at specific angles (e.g., 15-30 degrees). This misalignment redirects peripheral light away from areas that would cause dazzle, while the shield's protrusions and recesses further control the light distribution to maintain central brightness and reduce peripheral glare.
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 design enables the formation of beam patterns that meet regulatory requirements, providing a wider horizontal coverage while maintaining high luminous intensity in the central region and reducing brightness in the peripheral areas, thus preventing dazzle and enhancing visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a micro lens array (MLA) module which is provided in front of the light source and on which the light is incident
Implementation Method 2
a shield provided between the entrance lens array and the exit lens array
Data Source
AI summary
A lamp for an automobile and an automobile including the lamp. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a lamp for an automobile includes: a light source that generates and emits light; and a micro lens array (MLA) module which is provided in front of the light source and on which the light is incident. The MLA module includes: an entrance lens array; an exit lens array; and a shield provided between the entrance lens array and the exit lens array. The shield includes a protrusion area forming an upper periphery of the shield and protruding upward and a recess area recessed downward from the protrusion area. Minute protrusions each having a shape lifted upward are provided in some of the plurality of protrusion areas or the plurality of recess areas.