Vehicle Headlight Light Module With Adjustable Beam Deflection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing motor vehicle headlight light modules face difficulties in adjusting the center of light distribution to compensate for distortions caused by lens tolerances or imaging system errors, leading to reduced optical efficiency due to 'illumination overfill' from light falling on the surface light modulator but not the mirror matrix.

Innovation Solution

A light module with an adjustment system that includes mechanical and/or electromotive elements allowing the light-deflecting element to move along a third axis perpendicular to intersecting pivot axes, enabling convergence or divergence of light beams, and featuring a curved mirror with parabolic or hyperbolic reflector surfaces for precise beam control, reducing overfill areas and enhancing optical efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the light deflection device is fixed to the area light modulator, then the structure is simple, but it becomes extremely difficult to change the position of the light center or to compensate for distortions in the light distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure simplicityVSAvoidadjustability of light center position
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an adjustment system that enables dynamic repositioning of the light deflection device relative to the area light modulator. The light deflection device can be adjusted along at least one adjustment axis, allowing the light center position to be changed and distortions to be compensated while maintaining a relatively simple fixed connection structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the entire mirror matrix of the area light modulator is contained within the illuminated image, then the illumination is complete, but it creates an overfill area that reduces optical efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination completenessVSAvoidoptical efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the position of the light deflection device to optimize the mapping between the illuminated image and the mirror matrix. By changing the position parameters of the light deflection device along adjustment axes, the system ensures that the illuminated image is precisely matched to the mirror matrix boundaries, eliminating overfill areas and improving optical efficiency while maintaining complete illumination coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 allows for reduced distortions and increased optical efficiency by adjusting the light distribution, minimizing overfill areas and improving the light module's ability to maintain or enhance optical performance.

Implementation Method 1

a light-deflecting element (40) downstream of the lighting device (2) for directing the predetermined beam path (3) onto the surface light modulator (5)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a curved mirror with parabolic orhyperbolic reflector surfaces for precise beam control

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3953640B1Light module for a motor vehicle headlight
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 ZKW GRP GMBH
  • EP3953640B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3953640B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a light module for a motor vehicle headlight comprising: a lighting apparatus (2), which generates light beams having a defined beam path (3); a light deflecting apparatus (4), which is downstream of the lighting apparatus (2) in order to deflect the defined beam path (3); and a surface light modulator (5) downstream of the light deflecting apparatus (4) in the further course of the light beams, the light deflecting apparatus (4) deflecting substantially all of the light beams incident on the light deflecting apparatus (4) onto the surface light modulator (5) in order to generate a light pattern (6) to be emitted on the surface light modulator (5); and an imaging system (7), which is designed to reproduce the light pattern (6) in the form of a light distribution in front of the light module, wherein the light deflecting apparatus (4) comprises a light deflecting element (40) and an adjusting system (41), wherein the adjusting system (41) is designed to swivel the light deflecting element (40) about at least two intersecting swivel axes (H, V) and to thereby modify the beam path (3') between the light deflecting apparatus (4) and the surface light modulator (5).