Automotive Headlight Beam Segmentation via Dual Masking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems for vehicles, such as adaptive driving beams, face challenges in creating a selective beam that avoids dazzling oncoming drivers while maintaining effective road illumination, often resulting in excessive light intensity near the vehicle, which can disrupt the driver's vision and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a first and second masking surface, arranged to create lateral and lower beam cuts, respectively, forming an angle between 60 and 100 degrees, which delimits the light beam to prevent near-light intensity below the horizontal cut-off, ensuring maximum intensity is maintained above the horizon for optimal visibility without disturbing the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a selective beam with dark zones is formed to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, then the discomfort for crossed drivers is reduced, but the light intensity near the vehicle increases excessively, disrupting the driver's vision
Solution Approach 1:
The beam is segmented into distinct zones using multiple masking surfaces. The first masking surface creates a lateral cut dividing the beam horizontally, while the second masking surface creates a lower cut dividing the beam vertically. This segmentation allows different regions of the beam to serve different functions: the upper region provides long-range illumination without dazzling oncoming drivers, while the lower region is controlled to prevent excessive near-light intensity that would disrupt the driver's vision.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light beam are given different quality characteristics through selective masking. The upper portion of the beam is optimized for long-range illumination with high intensity, while the lower portion near the vehicle is controlled to have reduced intensity. This local differentiation allows the beam to simultaneously achieve long-range visibility and comfortable near-field illumination without excessive brightness.
2Length of stationary object
If the light beam is extended to reach 600 meters for long-range main beam, then the visibility range is improved, but the driver of crossed vehicles is dazzled
Solution Approach 1:
The long-range beam is segmented by the first masking surface that creates a lateral cut-off. This division separates the beam into an upper portion that extends far ahead (up to 600 meters) for long-range visibility, and a lower portion that is blocked by the mask to prevent it from reaching the eyes of oncoming drivers. The segmentation allows the system to achieve extended range without the harmful side effect of dazzling other drivers.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution moves from controlling beam intensity in one dimension to controlling it in multiple dimensions. The first masking surface introduces a horizontal dimension of control through lateral cutting, while the second masking surface adds a vertical dimension through lower cutting. This multi-dimensional control allows the beam to extend 600 meters horizontally while simultaneously preventing dazzle by blocking the lower portion that would reach oncoming drivers' eyes.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the light beam is cut vertically to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers, then the comfort for crossed drivers is improved, but the road illumination coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination area is segmented into functional zones using two masking surfaces. The first masking surface creates a lateral cut that preserves the upper portion of the beam for long-range road illumination, while the second masking surface creates a lower cut that controls the near-field region. This dual segmentation maintains extensive road coverage by preserving the upper beam portion while selectively reducing illumination in specific areas where it would cause discomfort.
Solution Approach 2:
Different areas of the beam are given different quality characteristics through localized masking. The upper and outer regions of the beam maintain high intensity and extensive coverage for road illumination, while the lower and inner regions near the vehicle are controlled to have reduced intensity. This local quality differentiation allows the system to maintain large overall illumination area while preventing discomfort in specific zones where oncoming drivers would be affected.
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 solution effectively generates a selective beam cut-off that reduces light intensity near the vehicle, preventing driver discomfort and maintaining visibility by directing light mainly above the horizon, thus enhancing safety and comfort in vehicle lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
a first reflector (6) comprising a reflection face, a light source (5), a first masking surface (12) arranged to create a first cut in the light beam generated by said light emitting device; a second masking surface (13) arranged to create a second break in the light beam generated by said light emitting device
Implementation Method 2
an optical element (2) comprising a first focal point and/or a first focal line located at the intersection of the cut-off edge of the first mask and the cut-off edge of the second mask
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6b
AI summary
The invention relates to a light emission device (1), in particular for a motor vehicle, comprising: - a first reflector (6) including a reflection face, - a light source (5), - a first masking surface (12); - a second masking surface (13); - an optical element (2) including a first focus and/or a first focal line at the intersection of the cut edge of the first mask (12) and the cut edge of the second mask (13), the reflection face of the first reflector (6), the first masking surface (8), the second masking surface (13) and the optical element (2) being arranged so as to generate a light beam delimited by a first cut and by a second cut.