Motor Vehicle Headlamp With Segmented Projection Optics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LED headlights have an undesirably large installation depth due to the focal length of their projection lenses, and reducing this depth leads to increased light distribution or reduced efficiency when trying to generate a predetermined intensity profile with a bright central spot.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple projection optics with different focal lengths, where the images from first and second image masks are superimposed to create a desired light distribution with a bright center, achieved by arranging projection lenses in specific planes and illuminating them from the same direction, allowing for a smaller installation depth while maintaining efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the focal length of the projection lens is reduced to decrease installation depth, then the installation depth is reduced, but the light distribution increases to an unacceptable degree
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single projection optic into multiple projection optics (first projection optics and second projection optics) with different focal lengths. The first projection optics have a first focal length and the second projection optics have a second focal length that is shorter than the first. This segmentation allows each projection optic to contribute differently to the overall light distribution, enabling reduced installation depth while controlling light distribution magnitude.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different focal lengths to different projection optics based on their functional requirements. The first projection optics with longer focal length are used where less magnification is needed, while the second projection optics with shorter focal length are used where more compact design is prioritized. Image masks are selectively assigned to different projection optics to achieve local optimization of both installation depth and light distribution characteristics.
2Length of moving object
If the focal length of the projection lens is reduced to decrease installation depth, then the installation depth is reduced, but the efficiency of the headlight is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the projection system into multiple projection optics with different focal lengths, allowing efficient use of luminous flux across different spatial regions. By distributing the light distribution task across multiple optics rather than relying on a single short-focal-length optic, the system maintains higher overall efficiency while achieving reduced installation depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the focal length parameter across different projection optics rather than using a uniform focal length. This parameter variation allows optimization of both installation depth and efficiency by matching focal length to the specific requirements of each projection channel, preventing the efficiency loss that would occur with uniform short focal length across all optics.
3Illumination intensity
If apertures are used to limit the light distribution, then the light distribution is controlled, but the efficiency of the headlight is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using apertures to block excess light (subtractive approach), the patent uses multiple projection optics with different focal lengths to directly generate the desired light distribution pattern (additive approach). This inversion of the control method avoids the efficiency loss associated with blocking luminous flux, as all emitted light contributes usefully to the final distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from geometric limitation (apertures) to optical parameter control (focal length variation). By adjusting the focal length parameter of different projection optics, the system achieves precise light distribution control without the energy waste inherent in aperture-based blocking methods.
4Length of moving object
If multiple projection optics with different focal lengths are used to reduce installation depth, then the installation depth is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple projection optics with different focal lengths into a single integrated headlight assembly. The first projection optics and second projection optics are combined with their respective image masks to form a unified system that achieves reduced installation depth through cooperative operation rather than through complex individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional projection system where different projection optics serve different functional roles within the same assembly. The system universally handles both the requirement for compact installation depth and the requirement for controlled light distribution by assigning different focal length optics to different functional requirements, reducing the need for additional separate components.
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 results in a more efficient headlight with a smaller installation depth and a desired intensity profile, including a bright central spot, by optimizing the magnification and illumination area of the projection optics.
Implementation Method 1
each has a first object-side focal length and which lies in an object-side focal area of the first projection lens of the respective first pair
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5
AI summary
A motor vehicle headlight (10) is presented, comprising: a light source arrangement (14) and first projection optics (16.1, 16.2, 16.3), each of which has a first pair consisting of a first image mask (18.1, 18.2, 18.3) and a first projection lens (20.1, 20.2, 20.3) with a first focal length (f1), which are illuminated through each image mask by the light source arrangement (14). The spotlight (10) further comprises second projection optics (26.1, 26.2, 26.3), each of which has a second pair consisting of a second image mask (28.1, 28.2, 28.3) and a second projection lens (30.1, 30.2, 30.3) with a second focal length (f2), which is illuminated by the light source arrangement (14) through each second image mask. The second focal length (f2) is greater than the first focal length (f1).A part of the first image mask illuminated by the light source arrangement (14) has a shape of at least a first part of an overall light distribution of the spotlight, and a part of the second image mask illuminated by the light source arrangement (14) has a shape of a central.