Headlamp Mirror Layout for High-Output Compact Beam Bundling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current motor vehicle headlights face challenges in achieving high light output, compact design, robust operation, and cost-effectiveness, as existing light sources often fail to meet these requirements simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A motor vehicle headlight design featuring a mirror device with deflection and central mirrors, where each incident light beam is aligned normal to the main plane, and the mirrors are positioned and oriented to deflect and bundle light beams into a common main light beam bundle, allowing for customizable light distribution and a compact, cost-effective arrangement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources and reflectors are used to achieve high light output, then illumination intensity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple individual reflector units are merged into a single integrated mirror device with multiple mirrors arranged in a specific geometric configuration. The mirrors work together as a unified optical system to bundle light from multiple sources into a common main beam, reducing structural complexity while maintaining high illumination output

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The mirror device is segmented into multiple individual mirrors, each assigned to a specific light source and beam path. This segmentation allows each mirror to be optimized for its specific function while collectively achieving the desired light distribution and intensity through their coordinated arrangement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If light sources and optical components are arranged to achieve desired light distribution, then illumination quality is improved, but volume of headlight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distributionVSAvoidheadlight volume
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement of mirrors and light sources, with beam paths extending in multiple dimensions. The mirrors are positioned and oriented in 3D space to achieve precise light distribution control without requiring a larger overall headlight volume, as the light manipulation occurs through spatial configuration rather than increased component size

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Illumination intensity

If multiple mirrors are used to deflect and bundle light rays, then light output is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Each mirror in the device serves multiple functions: it reflects light from a specific source, directs it along a defined beam path, contributes to the overall light distribution pattern, and helps bundle the final main beam. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, simplifying manufacturing while achieving high light output

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

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 design achieves a high light output while maintaining a compact and robust structure, enabling efficient light distribution and simplifying production, thus overcoming the economic and technical disadvantages of prior art.

Implementation Method 1

the mirror device has at least two mirrors for each incident light ray, which are arranged in the path of the respective light ray, namely a deflecting mirror and a central mirror

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3514447B1Motor vehicle headlamp
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3514447B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3514447B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3514447B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A motor vehicle headlight with a mirror device (100) for deflecting and focusing at least two incident, collimated light rays (211-218) into a common main light beam. Each of the incident light rays (211-218) enters the mirror device (100) along an associated direction of incidence perpendicular to a principal plane (101) of the mirror device (100). The main light beam is oriented perpendicular to the principal plane (101) of the mirror device (100). The mirror device (100) has at least two mirrors for each incident light ray (211-218), which are arranged in the beam path of the respective light ray (211-218), namely a deflecting mirror and a central mirror. Each deflecting mirror has an orientation that deflects the associated incident light ray (211-218) from its respective direction of incidence to the associated central mirror.Each central mirror has an orientation that deflects the light beam (211-218) thus redirected onto it in the direction of the main light beam. The central mirrors are positioned relative to each other in an arrangement in which the paths of the light beams (211-218) lie next to each other when viewed in the direction of the main light beam.