Vehicle Headlamp Beam Shaping Arrangement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting arrangements for vehicle headlamps struggle to achieve a desired illumination beam pattern efficiently from compact light sources, particularly in terms of beam width and intensity distribution.
Innovation Solution
A lighting arrangement that includes a beam shaping system with optical elements to divide light into separate beam portions in the height direction, which are then converged and directed laterally to create a wider output beam, utilizing total internal reflection and lateral reflection surfaces to achieve a broadened beam pattern suitable for automotive front lighting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If conventional optical elements (collimators, reflectors, lenses) are used to transform light from compact light sources, then the illumination beam pattern can be shaped, but the beam width and intensity distribution are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The light beam is divided into multiple beam portions (first beam portion, second beam portion, etc.) that are separated in the height direction. Each beam portion is independently guided through different beam paths within the transparent body, allowing separate control and shaping of different segments of the light distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Beam portions that are separated in the height direction are guided to converge and be directed into lateral directions. This transforms the separation dimension (height) into a lateral spread dimension, effectively widening the output beam in the lateral direction while maintaining compact vertical profile.
2Area of stationary object
If beam portions are separated in the height direction and guided through different paths, then the output beam width can be increased, but the optical system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple beam portions that have been separated and guided through different internal paths are merged back together at the light output surface. The transparent body integrates all beam portions into a single unified output beam with widened lateral dimensions, combining the functions of separation and recombination within one optical element.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent body utilizes total internal reflection at its own boundary surfaces to guide and redirect beam portions without requiring external mirrors or additional optical components. The optical element serves its own beam shaping function through its geometric design and optical properties.
3Volume of moving object
If total internal reflection is used to guide light within the transparent body, then the system remains compact, but the light distribution control becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
Different regions of the transparent body are designed with specific geometric features and boundary surface configurations that create distinct beam paths for different beam portions. The local optical properties and surface geometries are optimized to control the trajectory of each beam portion independently, enabling precise light distribution control through spatially varying structural characteristics.
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 effectively transforms the light distribution to produce a wider output beam, with a lateral width significantly greater than the input beam, enhancing the illumination pattern for vehicle headlamps while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
Portions of the light are reflected as a consequence of total reflection at boundary surfaces of the body
Implementation Method 2
a light conductor made of light transmissive material having a predetermined light refractive index
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~7
AI summary
The invention relates to a lighting arrangement, in particular a lighting arrangement which may be used in a headlamp of a vehicle. A beam shaping arrangement (10, 100, 110) comprises a light input portion (20) for receiving light emitted from a light source (12) and a light output portion (22) for emitting a shaped beam (24). The light output portion (22) is spaced from the light input portion (20) in a forward direction (18). In order to achieve a desired illumination beam pattern suited for a vehicle headlamp, in particular from a compact light source, the beam shaping arrangement (10, 100, 110) is disposed to divide light from the light input portion (20) into at least a first and a second beam portion (34, 35, 36) separated in height direction H. The first and second beam portions (34, 36) are led to converge in the height direction H towards the light output portion (22). At the light output portion (22), the second beam portion 36 is directed at a peripheral portion (44a, 44b, 44, 45) arranged laterally further outward relative to the first beam portion (34).