Automotive Headlamp Actuated Rotatable Collimator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting assemblies with movable beam limiters suffer from light leakage, resulting in reduced efficiency and an inability to precisely shape the light output, which is critical for applications like automotive lighting where adaptability and safety are paramount.
Innovation Solution
A lighting assembly featuring a semiconductor light source, a support with a recess, and a movable collimator that is nested with the support, ensuring that light enters and exits through specific openings without leakage, utilizing a small actuator to adjust the collimator's position and shape the light beam effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a movable beam limiter is used to direct light output and alter bright/dark cut-off lines, then adaptability of light output is improved, but light efficiency deteriorates due to light leakage when the beam limiter is moved
Solution Approach 1:
The collimator is nested within the support structure, with the light entry opening of the collimator and the recess joined in a nested manner. This nesting ensures that light emitted by the semiconductor light source enters the collimator through its light entry opening and exits essentially only through the light exit opening, preventing light leakage while maintaining adaptability through the movable collimator design
2Adaptability or versatility
If a movable beam limiter is used to alter bright/dark cut-off lines, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements worsen due to the need to prevent light leakage
Solution Approach 1:
The nested configuration of the collimator within the support creates a controlled light path where light enters through the light entry opening and exits through the light exit opening. This nested structure inherently guides the light path with precise geometric relationships, reducing the need for additional precision mechanisms while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a two-dimensional beam limiter approach to a three-dimensional nested collimator structure. The collimator extends into the recess space, creating a volumetric light control mechanism that provides precise light path definition through its three-dimensional geometry, thereby improving manufacturing precision for light path 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
This design enhances light efficiency and precision in shaping the light pattern, minimizing light loss and allowing for adaptable bright/dark cut-off lines, particularly beneficial for automotive applications by ensuring that all light emitted by the semiconductor source is directed effectively without leakage.
Implementation Method 1
light emitted by the semiconductor light source within the recess enters the collimator through its light entry opening and exits essentially only through the light exit opening of collimator
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting assembly including a semiconductor light source, a support with a recess within which the semiconductor light source is positioned, and a collimator having light entry and light exit openings joined together by at least one side wall. The collimator is moveable relative to the support. The collimator is attached to the support such that the light entry opening of the collimator and the recess are joined in a nested manner so that light emitted by the semiconductor light source within the recess enters the collimator through the light entry opening and exits essentially only through the light exit opening of the collimator for any position of the collimator over its range of motion. The lighting assembly further includes an actuator for moving the collimator over at least part of its range of motion. An automotive headlamp arrangement includes the lighting assembly, a reflector element and a secondary optic.