Vehicle Headlamp Cylindrical Reflecting Mirror Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlamp lamp units employing multiple semiconductor light emitting elements, such as LEDs, are costly due to the high number of light sources required to achieve wide illumination areas.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating parabolic or hyperbolic cylindrical reflecting mirrors above or below the light source array, and optionally on the sides, to increase the illumination area with a reduced number of LEDs, thereby reducing production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a plurality of semiconductor light emitting elements are used to achieve wide illumination area, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parabolic cylindrical or hyperbolic cylindrical reflecting mirrors with curved surfaces to redirect light from a reduced number of LED sources. The curved geometry of these mirrors focuses and distributes light more efficiently across the illumination area, achieving wide coverage with fewer light emitting elements compared to conventional flat reflector designs
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the optical parameters by introducing specifically shaped reflecting mirrors that alter light propagation paths. The parabolic or hyperbolic geometry transforms the light distribution pattern, enabling a smaller number of high-intensity LED sources to achieve the same or better illumination coverage than would be required with conventional lighting arrangements
2Ease of manufacture
If the number of semiconductor light emitting elements is reduced to lower production cost, then the manufacturing cost is improved, but the illumination area coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
By implementing curved parabolic or hyperbolic reflecting mirrors, the system maximizes the utilization of light from each individual LED source. The reflective geometry ensures that light is directed precisely where needed, maintaining wide area coverage even with a reduced number of expensive semiconductor light emitting elements
Solution Approach 2:
The reflecting mirrors serve as intermediary optical elements that mediate between the reduced number of light sources and the required illumination area. These mirrors capture, redirect, and distribute light from the fewer LED sources to achieve comprehensive coverage, effectively decoupling the number of light sources from the illumination area achieved
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 provides a cost-effective lamp unit with enhanced illumination coverage, maintaining or exceeding the illumination range of units with more LEDs while minimizing the number of light sources, thus achieving an inexpensive yet effective lighting solution.
Implementation Method 1
by providing a reflecting mirror of parabolic cylindrical or hyperbolic cylindrical type at least above or below the light source array
Data Source
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AI summary
A lamp unit includes: a light source array including a plurality of light sources aligned into an array; a mount portion on which the light source array is to be mounted; a first reflecting mirror configured to reflect light from the light sources, wherein the first reflecting mirror is parabolic cylindrical or hyperbolic cylindrical and is provided at least either above and below the light source array; and an optical member configured to project direct light from the light sources and reflected light from the first reflecting mirror to the front.