Motor Vehicle Headlamp Merging LED and Laser Light Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modern vehicle headlight design faces challenges in achieving both compactness and functionality, particularly in adjusting laser and LED light sources to meet varying illuminance and distance requirements while ensuring efficient light distribution and safety standards.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a combination of primary LED light sources and a secondary laser light source, utilizing paraboloidal and hyperboloidal reflectors, along with a collimator lens, to generate both short-range and long-range high beam light distributions, with adjustable components for precise alignment and modular design for easy installation and maintenance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If laser and LED light sources are combined to achieve both short-range and long-range light distributions, then functionality and efficiency are improved, but device complexity and adjustment difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution functionalityVSAvoidadjustment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines LED light sources for short-range distribution and laser light sources for long-range distribution into a single lighting device. The LED unit and laser unit are integrated within the same housing structure, allowing both light distribution types to be generated simultaneously or alternately from one device, thereby improving functionality while managing complexity through unified design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting device is designed to perform multiple functions: generating both short-range high beam distribution (via LED) and long-range high beam distribution (via laser). The single device structure accommodates different light sources with different optical characteristics, enabling it to adapt to various driving conditions and replace multiple separate lighting components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Illumination intensity

If laser light sources are used to achieve long-range light distribution, then illuminance and distance requirements are met, but adjustment precision and parallelism alignment become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelong-range illuminanceVSAvoidoptical axis parallelism
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical converter (phosphor layer) as an intermediary between the laser light source and the output beam. The laser diode emits light that is converted by the phosphor material into the desired wavelength and distribution pattern. This intermediary element helps in achieving precise optical characteristics and simplifies the alignment process by providing a stable reference point for optical axis adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes the optical properties of phosphor materials to convert laser light parameters. By selecting specific phosphor materials with particular emission characteristics, the system achieves the desired long-range illuminance and beam pattern. The phosphor layer acts as a parameter transformation medium, converting the laser's coherent light into incoherent light with specific spatial and spectral properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Volume of moving object

If compact design is emphasized to reduce installation space, then vehicle integration is improved, but adjustment range and alignment flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadlight volumeVSAvoidadjustment flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a nested structure where the laser unit is positioned within or adjacent to the LED unit housing. The optical components, reflectors, and lenses are arranged in a compact nested configuration that minimizes the overall volume while maintaining functional independence of each light source. This nesting approach allows the system to occupy minimal space while preserving adjustment capabilities through modular mounting interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enables efficient generation of light distributions that meet statutory standards, offering improved range and safety while minimizing installation space and reducing angular errors, thus enhancing the compactness and functionality of vehicle headlights.

Implementation Method 1

at least one primary reflector (PR1, PR2), each reflector (PR1, PR2) being assigned to exactly one primary light source (PLQ1, PLQ2)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the light produced by a light source arranged at the focal point of a paraboloid reflector spreads out as a beam of light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 3

the optical imaging system has at least one hyperboloid reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 4

the at least one secondary light source is arranged in a real focal point of the hyperboloid reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 5

a collimator lens is positioned in front of the hyperboloid reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 6

one of its focal points coincides with the virtual focal point of the hyperboloid reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFocusing: Focusing

Implementation Method 7

at least one secondary light source (SLQ1), which is located in a real focal point of the hyperboloid reflector and with which the extensions of the light rays form a virtual focal point

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Data Source

PatentEP3457024B1Motor vehicle headlamp for transmitting a long distance light distribution pattern
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3457024B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3457024B1 patent drawingFigure 2~2b
  • EP3457024B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a lighting device for a motor vehicle headlight for emitting light to form a light distribution in an area in front of the lighting device, wherein the lighting device comprises a light module, a support frame (TR), a main support (HT), and an additional support (ZT), wherein the light module comprises two or more primary light sources (PLQ1, PLQ2) that generate light to form a main light distribution (HLV), and at least one secondary light source (SLQ1) that generates light to form an additional light distribution (ZLV), wherein the additional light distribution is superimposed on the main light distribution to form an overall light distribution, wherein at least one primary reflector (PR1, PR2) is associated with the primary light sources (PLQ1, PLQ2) and is configured to focus the light emitted by the primary light sources (PLQ1, PLQ2) and direct it into an area in front of the light module in the form of the main light distribution (HLV).wherein the at least one secondary light source (SLQ1) is assigned an optical imaging system (AS) and is configured to image the light emitted by the at least one secondary light source (SLQ1) into an area in front of the light module in the form of the auxiliary light distribution (ZLV), wherein the main light distribution (HLV) is configured as a short-range light distribution, the auxiliary light distribution (ZLV) is configured as a long-range light distribution, and the overall light distribution (LFL) is configured as a long-range light distribution, wherein the support frame (TR) is configured to accommodate the main support (HT) and the auxiliary support (ZT), the main support (HT) is configured to accommodate the primary light sources (PLQ1, PLQ2) and the at least one primary reflector (PR1, PR2), and the auxiliary support (ZT) is configured to accommodate the at least one secondary light source (SLQ1) and the optical imaging system (AS).