DMD Automotive Headlamp Pixelated Beam Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current automotive headlamps with pixel-level digital control using LED matrix technology have limited resolution, leading to noticeable changes in light output as objects move across the field of view, causing glare and distraction for drivers and oncoming traffic.
Innovation Solution
The use of a digital micromirror device (DMD) headlight module with projection optics to create a pixelated non-uniform beam profile, combining with a high beam booster module to generate high, mid, and low beam light profiles, providing higher resolution and reducing glare by segmenting light based on brightness and field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If LED matrix technology is used for pixel-level digital control, then glare free high beam control is achieved, but resolution is limited to less than one hundred segments causing stark light output changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces LED matrix technology with a digital micromirror device (DMD) projector system. The DMD uses a chip of digitally controllable micromirrors to deflect light at the pixel level, achieving much higher resolution (thousands of pixels) compared to LED matrix solutions. This substitution of the light control mechanism enables fine-grained control of the beam profile while eliminating the stark transitions and glare associated with low-resolution LED matrices.
2Illumination intensity
If high beam brightness is provided continuously, then maximum viewing range is achieved, but glare is caused to other road users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality control by using the DMD to independently control the orientation of each micromirror pixel, creating a pixelated beam profile where individual pixels can be directed to different angles. This allows the system to provide high beam brightness in the driver's field of view while simultaneously shading out specific angular regions to prevent glare for oncoming traffic and pedestrians, achieving localized optimization of illumination quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the beam profile in real-time based on detected objects and driving conditions. The DMD controller modifies the micromirror orientations frame-by-frame to adapt the high beam pattern, maintaining maximum viewing range for the driver while dynamically suppressing glare in directions where other road users are detected, enabling adaptive illumination control.
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 solution achieves a higher pixel resolution in headlamp light output, reducing glare and improving visibility for drivers while minimizing distractions, by shaping the beam profiles to provide optimal illumination without harsh transitions.
Implementation Method 1
a digital micromirror device (DMD) headlight module, the DMD headlight module including a DMD... to receive pixelated light reflected by the DMD
Implementation Method 2
illumination optics optically coupled between the DMD and the white light module to prepare the white light beam for illuminating the DMD... shape a beam profile of the white light beam
Data Source
AI summary
An automotive headlamp is provided that includes a digital micromirror device (DMD) headlight module, the DMD headlight module including a DMD, a white light module to provide a white light beam to illuminate the DMD, illumination optics optically coupled between the DMD and the white light module to prepare the white light beam for illuminating the DMD, and projection optics optically coupled to the DMD to receive pixelated light reflected by the DMD and project a pixelated light beam on road, in which at least one of the DMD, the white light module, and the illumination optics shape a beam profile of the white light beam such that the light reflected by the DMD has a pixelated non-uniform beam profile suitable for projecting a white light beam that forms a portion of a white light beam of the headlamp.