Vehicle Headlamp Light Module With Spatially Separated Conversion Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle headlight systems using hybrid LED and laser light sources face issues with heat-induced conversion efficiency decrease, color stability, and inhomogeneous light emission due to direct integration of conversion devices with LED chips, leading to potential dazzling of oncoming traffic and inefficient light distribution.

Innovation Solution

The conversion device is spatially separated from the LED light source and equipped with a deflection system of independently controllable elements to dynamically adjust light beam distribution, preventing overheating and allowing precise control of light intensity and shape, including a digital micromirror array for targeted light manipulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the conversion device is directly integrated with the LED light source, then the device complexity is reduced and the structure is compact, but the heat generated by the LED chip directly affects the conversion unit causing decreased conversion efficiency and negative impact on lifespan and color stability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidconversion efficiency and color stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the lighting system into separate functional modules: the LED light source and the conversion device are positioned independently within the headlight assembly rather than being directly integrated. This spatial segmentation allows thermal management for each component while maintaining a compact overall structure, resolving the contradiction between structural compactness and conversion efficiency/stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Quantity of substance

If the laser light source and LED light source illuminate a common conversion device, then the luminous flux is increased, but the light from the two sources is only mixed after striking the fluorescent element resulting in inhomogeneous color appearance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous fluxVSAvoidcolor homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional roles to different regions of the conversion device. The conversion device includes a first conversion unit for the LED light source and a second conversion unit for the laser light source, with each unit optimized for its specific light source. This local optimization ensures homogeneous color mixing while maintaining high luminous flux output.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If hybrid LED and laser light sources are used to create high-intensity lighting, then the luminance is increased, but the light distribution can be perceived as disruptive and dazzle oncoming traffic

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveluminanceVSAvoiddazzling effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic control of the light distribution through independently controllable LED and laser light sources. The system can dynamically adjust the intensity and distribution pattern of each light source based on driving conditions, enabling adaptive high beam and low beam modes. This dynamic adjustment reduces the dazzling effect on oncoming traffic while maintaining high luminance when needed.

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

This configuration enhances light module efficiency, stability, and safety by preventing overheating, improving color consistency, and dynamically adjusting light distribution to reduce dazzling and enhance illumination where needed, while maintaining high luminance and luminous flux.

Implementation Method 1

the conversion device is configured such that the light beams striking the conversion device cause the conversion device to emit a secondary light beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWavelength conversion: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

When the emitted light strikes the wavelength converter, for example, a body made of a fluorescent phosphor, electrons in the wavelength converter are raised to a higher energy level through photon absorption. However, the electrons cannot remain at this level and therefore fall back to their original ground state almost instantaneously. In doing so, they release the absorbed energy, resulting in the emission of fluorescent light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Implementation Method 3

the light module in a beam path of the secondary light beam includes at least one deflection device with a plurality of independently controllable and movable deflection elements for the targeted reflection of at least a part of the secondary light beam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3168527B1Light module for a vehicle headlamp and motor vehicle headlamp with such a light module
Publication Date: 2018.05.02 MARELLI GERMANY GMBH
  • EP3168527B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3168527B1 patent drawingFigure 1b~2
  • EP3168527B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

The invention relates to a light module (10) for a vehicle headlight, comprising at least one LED light source (12) for emitting an LED light beam (18), at least one laser light source (14) for emitting a laser light beam (30) and a conversion device (16) which is arranged such that the LED light beam (18) in an LED light distribution (28) and the laser light beam (30) in a laser light distribution (36) strike the conversion device (16), and which is designed such that a secondary light beam (40) is emitted by the incident light beams (18, 30).It is proposed that the conversion device (16) is spatially separated and arranged separately from the at least one LED light source (12), and that the light module (10) comprises at least one deflection device (48) with a plurality of independently controllable and movable deflection elements (50) for selectively reflecting at least a part of the secondary light beam (40) and for generating a light distribution (7) of the light module (10).