Vehicle Headlamp High-Beam Module With Off-State Secondary Optic Glow

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting devices for vehicles struggle to maintain the aesthetic appearance of high-beam modules by illuminating the secondary optical system when the high-beam module is deactivated, which is desirable for design reasons.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating an additional light source and an optical transparent light guide body that can be controlled independently to illuminate the secondary optical system when the high-beam module is off, using total internal reflection and decoupling structures to achieve uniform illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the high-beam module is deactivated to save energy or when low-beam mode is active, then energy consumption is reduced, but the secondary optical system appears dark which is aesthetically undesirable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidappearance illumination
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the illumination function into two independent systems: the high-beam light source for actual high-beam illumination, and the additional light source for aesthetic illumination of the secondary optical system. This segmentation allows the aesthetic illumination to operate independently when the high-beam module is deactivated, resolving the contradiction between energy saving and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The additional light source acts as an intermediary element that illuminates the secondary optical system without requiring the high-beam light source to be active. This intermediary solution provides the desired aesthetic appearance while maintaining energy efficiency by using a separate, lower-power illumination source.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If an additional light source is added to illuminate the secondary optical system when high-beam is off, then aesthetic appearance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveappearance illuminationVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The additional light source is integrated into the existing high-beam module structure and serves multiple functions: illuminating the secondary optical system for aesthetic purposes, working in conjunction with the light guide body, and being controllable independently. This multi-functionality approach minimizes the need for entirely separate systems, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the additional light source and light guide body into the existing high-beam module housing, combining multiple functions (aesthetic illumination, light guiding, structural support) into a single integrated assembly. This merging reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Illumination intensity

If the additional light source is positioned close to the secondary optical system for effective illumination, then illumination effectiveness is improved, but risk of direct light interference with the optical path increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination effectivenessVSAvoidlight interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide body serves as an intermediary between the additional light source and the secondary optical system. It transfers light from the light source to the optical system through total internal reflection, allowing the light source to be positioned away from the direct optical path while still achieving effective illumination of the secondary optical system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The light guide body extends in a direction that is offset from the main optical axis, utilizing a different spatial dimension for light transmission. This dimensional offset allows the light source to be positioned close to the secondary optical system for effective illumination without the light path interfering with the primary optical function.

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

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 secondary optical system is illuminated evenly and completely when the high-beam module is deactivated, enhancing the aesthetic appeal while maintaining functionality.

Implementation Method 1

using total internal reflection and decoupling structures to achieve uniform illumination

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTotal internal reflection: Total Internal Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an optical transparent light guide body which is configured to emit at least part of the light coupled into the optically transparent light guide body onto the inner boundary surface of the secondary optical system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4682426A1Lighting device with a high-beam module for a vehicle headlamp
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP4682426A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4682426A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4682426A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to lighting device (1) for a vehicle with at least one high-beam lighting module (10), wherein a high-beam lighting module (10) comprises at least one high beam light source (101), a primary optical system (102), and a secondary optical system (103), which is arranged downstream of the primary optical system (102) in the direction of light propagation. The secondary optical system (103) comprises an inner boundary surface (103a) facing the primary optical system (102) and an outer boundary surface (103b) facing away from the primary optical system (102). Light emitted by the at least one light source (101) is coupled into the primary optical system (101), which is configured to emit the in-coupled light onto inner boundary surface (103a) of the secondary optical system (103), which secondary optical system (103) projects said light as a light distribution (HLV) into a region in front of the lighting device (1). The primary optical system (102) and the secondary optical system (103) are configured such that the light distribution (HLV) forms a part of a high-beam (HB) or adaptive driving beam, ADB, light distribution. The high-beam module (10) comprises at least one additional light source (111), and an optical transparent light guide body (112), wherein the at least one additional light source (111) can be controlled independently of the at least one light source (101), and wherein the at least one additional light source (111) is configured to couple light into the optical transparent light guide body (112), which optical transparent light guide body (112) is arranged in front of the secondary optical system (103) in the direction of light propagation, wherein the optical transparent light guide body (112) is configured to emit at least part of the light coupled into the optical transparent light guide body (112) onto the inner boundary surface (103a) of the secondary optical system (103), so that the secondary optical system (103) illuminates when viewed from an outside of the lighting device (1) when the at least one high beam light source (101) is switched off.