Headlamp Sub-Matrix Optics for Homogeneous Beam Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle headlights with diode matrices face challenges in producing a homogeneous light beam due to spacing between diodes, leading to increased manufacturing costs and fragility, and require a high number of light sources for improved resolution, which is costly and complex to produce.
Innovation Solution
The optical module uses a set of sub-matrices with primary light sources and converging optics to form virtual images that are larger than the sub-arrays, allowing for a homogeneous light distribution and reducing the need for a monolithic matrix, thereby lowering production costs and increasing compactness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a diode matrix is used to control light beam dimensions, then the light beam can be controlled, but gaps appear between light beams due to diode spacing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the light source into multiple sub-matrices, each sub-matrix being further divided into multiple light emission zones. This segmentation allows for finer control of light beam dimensions while reducing the impact of spacing between individual light sources, as each sub-matrix collectively contributes to a portion of the beam.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements individual addressing of light emission zones within each sub-matrix, allowing different regions of the light beam to have different control characteristics. This enables precise local control of beam dimensions while maintaining overall homogeneity through coordinated activation of zones.
2Measurement precision
If the number of light sources is increased to improve beam resolution, then beam resolution improves, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
By organizing light sources into sub-matrices with multiple addressable emission zones, the invention achieves high beam resolution without requiring an excessive number of independently controlled light sources. The segmentation allows efficient use of each light source's output across multiple zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Each light emission zone within a sub-matrix can serve multiple functions depending on activation patterns, allowing the same physical light source structure to achieve different beam resolutions and configurations without adding more light sources.
3Measurement precision
If a large number of light sources are used, then beam resolution improves, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The modular sub-matrix structure with addressable zones allows for standardized manufacturing units that can be produced more efficiently than fully custom high-resolution light source arrays, reducing overall manufacturing cost while maintaining beam resolution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a diode matrix is used to control light beam dimensions, then the light beam can be controlled, but the system becomes more fragile
Solution Approach 1:
By dividing the light source into multiple sub-matrices with addressable zones, the invention creates a more robust system where individual zone failures do not compromise the entire beam control function. The segmented structure provides redundancy and fault tolerance.
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 solution achieves a homogeneous light distribution with reduced manufacturing costs and increased compactness by using sub-matrices to form virtual images that minimize the interval between light beams, making the system less sensitive to production defects and easier to handle.
Implementation Method 1
each converging optic being configured to form the virtual image of a sub-matrix in a plane, the virtual images being formed upstream of the sub-matrices of primary sources, so that the dimensions of the virtual images are larger than the dimensions of the sub-matrices
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an optical device for projecting a light beam, in particular for a motor vehicle, characterized in that it comprises, upstream according to the direction of propagation of the light rays, a set of at least two sub-matrices (20) associated each provided with primary light sources (8) capable of emitting light rays, and downstream a primary optical system (4) provided with a plurality of convergent optics, at least one convergent optics being associated with each sub-matrix ( 20) and arranged downstream thereof, the spacing between the optical axes of two adjacent convergent optics corresponds respectively to the spacing between the centers of the corresponding adjacent sub-matrices. The invention also relates to an optical module comprising said device and a motor vehicle headlamp.