Motor Vehicle Headlamp Infrared Beam Shaping for Diagonal Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LiDAR systems in motor vehicle headlamps face challenges in detecting objects diagonally in front of the vehicle due to a weaker backscattering signal caused by the diagonal angle of incidence, leading to reduced detection precision and difficulty in identifying objects at the sides.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an optical exit-deflection element that broadens infrared radiation to form a beam with an enlarged cross section in the horizontal plane, with intensity maxima on the sides, enhancing the detection of objects diagonally in front of the vehicle by compensating for the decreasing backscattering cross section towards the edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional LiDAR systems use a focused infrared beam, then detection precision for objects in the center is improved, but detection capability for objects at the sides deteriorates due to the cos4 law reducing backscattering signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform intensity distribution in the infrared beam, with intensity maxima specifically positioned at the edges of the beam cross-section. This allows different regions of the beam to serve different functions: the edges detect objects at angles while the center maintains detection capability, thereby resolving the contradiction between center detection precision and side detection capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the infrared radiation beam is focused to a small cross section, then energy concentration is improved, but the beam coverage area deteriorates, reducing detection of diagonal objects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the intensity distribution parameter of the infrared beam from a conventional Gaussian profile to a customized profile with intensity maxima at the edges. This parameter change allows the beam to maintain its energy concentration while expanding its effective coverage area for detecting objects at diagonal angles, thus resolving the contradiction between energy concentration and beam coverage area.
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 solution improves the detection of objects diagonally in front of the vehicle, allowing for better detection of objects on both sides, comparable to those in the center, by increasing the intensity towards the edges of the beam distribution, thereby enhancing the precision and range of LiDAR systems.
Implementation Method 1
at least one radiation source (10) for emitting infrared radiation (11)
Implementation Method 2
an optical exit-deflection element (18), which directs the infrared radiation (11) emitted by the at least one radiation source (10) to the light entry surface (17)
Implementation Method 3
a light emission optics (16) that has a light entry surface (17). Visible light from the light source (7) and invisible infrared radiation (11) from the at least one radiation source (10) strike the light entry surface (17) of the light emission optics (16)
Implementation Method 4
at least one infrared radiation detector (13), which detects infrared radiation (15) emitted by at least one of the radiation sources (10) and reflected by an object (14) in front of the motor vehicle
Data Source
AI summary
A headlamp assembly for a motor vehicle comprising at least one headlamp, which has a light source for emitting visible light, a radiation source for emitting infrared radiation, and a light emission optics with a light entry surface, which visible light from the light source and infrared radiation from the radiation source strikes, and which has an optical exit-deflection element, which directs the infrared radiation from the radiation source toward the light entry surface of the light emission optics. The optical exit-deflection element comprises at least one optics, which broadens the infrared radiation emitted by the radiation source to form a radiation beam with a cross section broadened in a horizontal plane (HH), and a radiation distribution that has at least one intensity maximum disposed toward the edge in the radiation distribution, to one side of a vertical plane (VV), when viewed in a focal plane of the light emission optics.