Deflecting Screen for Vehicle Headlamp Beam Steering

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light signaling devices for vehicles, particularly headlamps, face challenges in laterally deflecting light beams due to geometric issues with facets or rounded surfaces, which can cause demolding defects and are not compatible with all light sources, such as xenon and LED, requiring specific lenses and complicating anti-condensation varnish application.

Innovation Solution

A screen is introduced between the optical module and the glass in the headlamp, featuring reflection and/or refraction facets that deflect light beams at specific angles, allowing for flexible configuration and compliance with regulatory photometric requirements without modifying the lens, and is designed to be minimally intrusive and versatile.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If active surfaces (facets or rounded surfaces) are added to the glass to deflect light beams laterally, then the beam spreading and deflection are improved, but the demolding process generates defects and manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam spreading and deflectionVSAvoiddemolding process and manufacturing defects
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention separates the light deflection function from the glass lens by introducing a dedicated deflecting screen with reflective facets. This segmentation allows the glass to maintain its simple, demoldable shape while the screen handles the complex optical deflection requirements, resolving the contradiction between beam spreading and manufacturing ease.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A deflecting screen is introduced as an intermediary element between the light source and the glass lens. This screen with reflective facets performs the light deflection function without requiring modifications to the glass itself, thereby avoiding demolding defects while achieving the desired beam spreading.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If active surfaces are added to the glass to deflect light beams, then lateral deflection is improved, but compatibility with different light sources (xenon, LED, halogen) is reduced requiring specific lenses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral deflectionVSAvoidcompatibility with different light sources
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The deflecting screen with reflective facets serves as a universal optical component that works with all types of light sources (halogen, xenon, LED). Unlike light-source-specific lenses, the screen's geometric reflection properties are independent of the light source type, thereby improving versatility and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If active surfaces are added to the glass to deflect light beams, then lateral deflection is improved, but the application of anti-condensation varnish becomes difficult and optical properties are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelateral deflectionVSAvoidvarnish application and optical properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By separating the light deflection function into a dedicated screen component, the glass surface remains smooth and flat, allowing easy application of anti-condensation varnish without being obstructed by facets or rounded surfaces. The screen's reflective properties are maintained through its geometric structure rather than surface coatings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 screen effectively deflects light beams to meet regulatory lighting standards, providing flexibility in configuration and avoiding the need for specific lenses, while maintaining optical properties and ease of varnish application, thus enhancing the modularity and cost-effectiveness of the light signaling system.

Implementation Method 1

the screen being provided to deflect part of the light beam of said module

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

comprises means for reflection and/or refraction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP2927050B1Luminous device with deflecting shield
Publication Date: 2020.03.18 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP2927050B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2927050B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a projector 4 disposed at the front on each side of a motor vehicle, comprising: - a housing 8 with an opening; - at least one optical module 10, 12 capable of producing a light beam and housed in the housing 8; - a glass closing the opening of the housing; - a transparent or translucent screen 20 disposed between the glass and the or at least one of the optical modules 10, 12, said screen forming a diopter capable of laterally deflecting a first part of the light beam(s) of said or said optical module(s), respectively, characterized in that the screen comprises at least a first means 25 adapted to deflect the first part of the beam in a direction between 35° and 45° towards the interior of the vehicle with respect to a longitudinal axis passing through the optical module 10, 12.