Lighting System Headlamp Light Guide Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional adaptive driving beam systems with few LEDs struggle to provide a homogeneous light image with strong contrasts and sharp gradients, leading to increased installation space requirements and inaccuracies in masking objects due to limited resolution and angle variations with distance.

Innovation Solution

A lighting system with an optical unit featuring a plurality of light guides connected via a common connecting portion, secured by a holding frame to a printed circuit board, ensuring precise alignment and overlapping light paths to eliminate dark regions and enhance contrast.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If modules with fewer LEDs are used, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to provide homogeneous light image with strong contrasts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of LEDsVSAvoidlight image homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the light guide into multiple segments corresponding to individual LED positions. Each light guide segment independently channels light from its associated LED, allowing precise control of light distribution patterns. This segmentation enables creation of homogeneous light images with strong contrasts using fewer total LEDs, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and light quality precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If multiple modules are used to improve light image quality, then manufacturing precision improves, but device complexity increases due to increased installation space requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight image qualityVSAvoidinstallation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple light guide functions into a single integrated light guide structure. Instead of using separate modules that occupy additional space, the light guide is designed with integrated optical elements that combine the functions of multiple modules while maintaining compact form factor. This reduces installation space requirements while preserving the ability to produce high-quality light images with strong contrasts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If modules are positioned at different distances, then adaptability improves for masking objects at various angles, but measurement precision deteriorates due to difficulty in accurately determining object position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemasking angle coverageVSAvoidobject position accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic optical system where the light guide can be positioned at variable distances from the LED module along the optical axis. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to different masking requirements and object distances. By enabling continuous adjustment of the light guide position, the system achieves versatile angle coverage while maintaining precise object position determination through controlled optical geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 simple, high-quality lighting system with improved light distribution, allowing for precise masking and reduced installation space, while maintaining high efficiency and consistency across varying temperatures.

Implementation Method 1

a plurality of light guides 22 which are respectively provided for at least one light source (6) and which respectively have an input coupling face (82)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10793057B2Lighting system and headlamp
Publication Date: 2020.10.06 PLASTIC OMNIUM LIGHTING SYST GMBH
  • US10793057B2 patent drawing
  • US10793057B2 patent drawing
  • US10793057B2 patent drawing

AI summary

In various embodiments, a lighting system is provided. The lighting system includes an optical unit having a plurality of light guides which are respectively provided for at least one light source and which respectively have an input coupling face. On the output side, the light guides are connected via a common connecting portion of the optical unit, the connecting portion having an output face, pointing away from the light guides, for the light emerging from the light guides. The lighting system further includes a holding frame for the optical unit, by means of which the optical unit is fastened to a printed circuit board, having the light sources, of the lighting system.