Vehicle Headlight Expansion Optics Beam Width
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle headlight systems using Digital Light Processing (DLP) technology struggle to achieve a fully functional high beam with a wide distribution due to limitations in light source illumination, resulting in a narrow beam width and increased installation space requirements for additional modules.
Innovation Solution
The lighting device incorporates at least two expansion optics, each assigned to a light source, which expands the light bundle and overlaps partially, allowing for a larger area irradiation by the second deflection device while minimizing installation space, using a digital micromirror array for dynamic control of light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If a single light source with expansion optics is used, then the beam width is limited to +/- 10°, but if additional modules are added to expand the beam width to +/- 20°, then the installation space and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple light sources (first and second light sources) and their respective expansion optics into a single integrated lighting device. The expanded light beams from both sources overlap to create a combined illumination area that provides the required wide beam distribution (+/- 20°) without needing separate additional modules. This merging approach achieves the desired beam width while maintaining a compact structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent arranges the first and second light sources at different positions and orientations, with their expansion optics producing overlapping light beams that cover different angular ranges. By utilizing spatial arrangement and beam overlap in multiple dimensions, the system achieves extended beam width coverage without simply adding more modules in a linear fashion.
2Volume of stationary object
If the light source is positioned at the focal point of expansion optics, then the optical path is minimized, but the light beam cannot be sufficiently expanded to cover the required area
Solution Approach 1:
The expansion optics act as an intermediary between the light source and the target area. By positioning the light source between the expansion optics and its focal point (rather than exactly at the focal point), the system uses the expansion optics to mediate and expand the light beam to the required size while maintaining a compact optical path and minimal installation space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses multiple light sources positioned at different locations, each with its own expansion optics. The light sources are arranged between the expansion optics and their respective focal points, creating overlapping expanded beams that collectively cover the required irradiation area. This spatial arrangement in multiple dimensions allows sufficient beam expansion without increasing the optical path length excessively.
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 enables a wider high beam distribution and improved brightness uniformity, reducing the need for additional modules and minimizing installation space, while allowing for dynamic adjustment based on vehicle and environmental parameters.
Implementation Method 1
each light source is assigned exactly one expansion optic, which is configured to expand the light beam emitted by the light source in the direction of the first emission direction
Implementation Method 2
a variably controllable reflector surface is formed from a plurality of micromirrors and reflects light rays emitted by a first illuminant
Implementation Method 3
The mirror surfaces are designed to be movable by the action of electrostatic fields
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to an illumination apparatus (10) for a motor vehicle headlight, which illumination apparatus comprises the following: - a light source (50) for emitting a light beam in a first direction of radiation (X1), - a first deflection device (100), which is designed to deflect the light beam in a second direction of radiation (X2), and - a second deflection device (200) for deflecting the light beam deflected by the first deflection device (100) in a third direction of radiation (X3) and for generating a light distribution in front of the illumination apparatus (10), the illumination apparatus comprising at least one expanding optical system (300) with a focal point (F1), which expanding optical system (300) is associated with the at least one light source (50) and is designed to expand the light beam emitted by the light source (50) in the direction of the first direction of radiation (X1), the at least one light source (50) being arranged between the at least one expanding optical system (300) and the focal point (F1) of the expanding optical system (300) in the direction of the first direction of radiation (X1).