Vehicle Headlamp Reflector Segmentation for Centered Hot Zone

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle headlamps struggle to achieve a high-beam light distribution pattern with a hot zone at the center of the screen, which is crucial for effective illumination.

Innovation Solution

A projector type vehicle headlamp design featuring a semiconductor light source, a reflector with divided reflection surfaces, and a projection lens, where the first and second reflection surfaces are designed to converge light onto specific focal points, allowing the high-beam light distribution pattern to be centered by optimizing the light distribution patterns through the lens.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a conventional projector type headlamp uses a single reflector and light source, then the structure is simple, but the hot zone cannot be positioned at the center of the screen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehot zone positionVSAvoidreflector structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector is divided into two separate reflectors (first reflector and second reflector), each with specific focal points. The first reflector has a first focal point and the second reflector has a second focal point, allowing independent optimization of light distribution patterns to achieve a centered hot zone while maintaining manageable structural complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A movable shade is introduced as an intermediary component between the light source and the reflectors. This shade can be positioned to block or allow light paths, enabling precise control over the overlapping light distribution patterns from the two reflectors to achieve proper hot zone positioning at the screen center

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If light from a single focal point is used, then the optical system is simple, but the light distribution pattern cannot be optimized for centered hot zone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight distribution patternVSAvoidoptical system
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical system uses two separate light distribution patterns (first light distribution pattern and second light distribution pattern) from two different reflectors with different focal points. These patterns overlap on the screen to create a combined illumination pattern with the hot zone positioned at the center, achieving optimized light distribution while keeping each individual optical path relatively simple

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The movable shade provides dynamic control over the optical system by being able to move between different positions. This allows the system to switch between different light distribution configurations and optimize the overlapping patterns to achieve proper hot zone positioning at the screen center

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 design effectively creates a high-beam light distribution pattern with a hot zone at the center of the screen, enhancing illumination efficiency and overcoming the limitations of conventional projector type headlamps.

Implementation Method 1

light from the light source is reflected on the first reflector and the second reflector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the reflected light is radiated to the front as a first light distribution pattern and a second light distribution pattern through a projection lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3376093B1Vehicle headlamp
Publication Date: 2021.05.05 ICHIKOH IND LTD
  • EP3376093B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3376093B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3376093B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

A present invention is equipped with a semiconductor light source, a reflector, and a projection lens. The reflector comprises a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface. The first reflective surface comprises a first focal point and a second focal point positioned near a lens focal point. The second reflective surface comprises a first focal point and a second focal point positioned on a light-emitting surface side relative to the lens focal point. As a result, the present invention provides a high beam light distribution pattern having a hot zone in the center.