Motor Vehicle Headlamp Optic Body Light Ray Path Control

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle headlamp illumination devices often fail to meet legal requirements for low beam light distribution, particularly in terms of illumination intensity and spatial coverage on the road.

Innovation Solution

The illumination device incorporates a unique optic body with multiple light collecting elements and a projection lens system, allowing for the generation of a low beam light distribution that extends from 0° to -10° along a V-V-line. This is achieved through a combination of light-ray paths and deflection surfaces within the optic body, along with an asymmetric cut-off boundary and an inclined light exit surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If existing headlamp illumination devices are used, then the device structure is relatively simple, but the low beam light distribution does not meet legal requirements for illumination intensity and spatial coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelow beam light distributionVSAvoidoptic body structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optic body is divided into multiple functional sections: a common light input section for coupling light from multiple sources, a light output section for decoupling light, and a shell surface with multiple deflection surfaces. Each section performs a specific optical function, allowing the system to achieve complex light distribution patterns through coordinated action of segmented components rather than a single complex element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a projection lens system as an intermediary component between the optic body and the road surface. This projection lens receives light from the light output section and projects it to create the desired low beam light distribution pattern, acting as a mediator that transforms the light from the optic body into the legally required illumination pattern.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If multiple light-ray paths are implemented to achieve proper light distribution, then the illumination coverage is improved, but the optical system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespatial coverage on roadVSAvoidoptical system
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The common light input section serves multiple functions: it couples light from multiple different light sources (LEDs, lasers, or filaments) into the optic body through a single unified interface. This multi-functional design allows the same optical structure to handle various light source types and configurations, achieving broad spatial coverage without proportionally increasing system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes three-dimensional light-ray paths within the optic body, with light rays traveling through multiple dimensions via the shell surface deflection surfaces. The light can be deflected in different directions and angles, creating complex illumination patterns in three-dimensional space rather than simple two-dimensional projections, thereby achieving comprehensive road coverage.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If deflection surfaces are added to control light-ray paths, then the light distribution precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight-ray path controlVSAvoidoptic body fabrication
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple deflection surfaces are integrated into a single continuous shell surface structure rather than being separate components. The shell surface encompasses the optic body and incorporates multiple deflection surfaces that work together as a unified optical element, reducing the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations required compared to using multiple discrete mirrors or prisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The deflection surfaces are designed with specific curved geometries that follow spherical or elliptical arcs, allowing light rays to be deflected at precise angles through geometric optics principles. These curved surfaces can be manufactured using standard optical fabrication techniques and provide predictable, precise light control without requiring complex adaptive mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

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 enhanced illumination device effectively generates a low beam light distribution that meets legal requirements, providing improved illumination intensity and spatial coverage on the road, thereby enhancing safety and compliance.

Implementation Method 1

at least one light collecting element having a curved light input surface for coupling light-rays from the assigned light source into the optic body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

the first deflection surface is part of the shell surface and the light exit surface is part of the light output section, wherein light-rays following the first light-ray path are incident on the first deflection surface and are deflected to the light exit surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP4180710B1Illumination device for a motor vehicle headlamp
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP4180710B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4180710B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~4
  • EP4180710B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Illumination device (10) for a motor vehicle headlamp for generating a low beam light distribution (LB), wherein a vertical extension of the low beam light distribution extends along a V-V-line from at least 0° down to at least -10° on the V-V-line, said illumination device (10) comprises at least one light source (50), an optic body (100) comprising: - a common light input section (110) for coupling light-rays from the at least one light source (50) into the optic body (100), said common light input section (110) having at least one light collecting element (120), which is assigned to a respective light source (50), - a light output section (130) for decoupling light-rays that are coupled into the optic body (100) via the common light input section (110), out of the optic body (100) in a main direction (X) of the illumination device (10), - a projection lens system (200) configured to project the light-rays in front of the illumination device (10), wherein the at least one light collecting element (120) in combination with the optic body (100) allow at least three sets of light-ray paths (LR1, LR2, LR3), wherein the first part of the low beam light distribution (LB1) contributed by light-rays following the first and second light ray paths (LR1, LR2) and the second part of the low beam light distribution (LB2) contributed by light-rays following the third light-ray path (LR3) form the low beam light distribution (LB), wherein the vertical extension of the low beam light distribution (LB) extends along the V-V-line from at least 0° down to at least -10° on the V-V-line.