Motor Vehicle Headlight Laser Beam Masking for Uniform Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle headlight technologies face challenges in achieving uniform light distribution on roadways without excessive laser power and minimizing unwanted scattered light, particularly at the splitting/folding center, where intensity distribution is inversely desired with high intensities in the middle and reduced towards the edges.
Innovation Solution
The method involves optically or electrically masking the laser beam in the region of the splitting/folding center, using a non-reflective image folding means such as a hollow cone-shaped mirror or a mirror with inclined surfaces, and adjusting the distance between the image folding means and light conversion means to prevent stray light and achieve desired light distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high laser power is installed to achieve sufficiently high intensity in the darkest area of the light distribution, then the minimum intensity requirement is met, but the average laser power utilization drops to about 13%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by blocking the laser beam at the center (division/folding center) rather than allowing it to pass through. This creates the opposite effect: instead of having maximum intensity at the edges and minimum at the center, the system achieves uniform intensity distribution across the entire light distribution area by preventing the problematic concentrated intensity at the division center that would require excessive overall power
2Area of stationary object
If the laser beam is allowed to pass through the division/folding center, then the complete light distribution area is covered, but unwanted scattered light occurs due to never completely formed edges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the problematic region (division/folding center) from the optical path by blocking it with a mask. This eliminates the source of scattered light while the rest of the light distribution area remains fully covered through the image folding mechanism, achieving both complete area coverage and elimination of harmful scattered light
Solution Approach 2:
The mask acts as an intermediary element positioned at the division/folding center to block the laser beam. This intermediary component prevents the direct interaction between the laser beam and the problematic edge regions that cause scattered light, while allowing the rest of the optical system to function normally and cover the complete light distribution area
3Device complexity
If a conventional image folding means is used without blocking the division center, then the system structure is simple, but the light distribution becomes non-uniform with excessive intensity at the center
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light distribution area by introducing a mask that divides the optical path into blocked (center) and unblocked (peripheral) regions. This segmentation allows different parts of the light distribution to be controlled independently, achieving uniform intensity distribution while maintaining relatively simple system structure through the addition of only one simple masking element
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 approach ensures a uniform light distribution on the roadway without excessive laser power and reduces unwanted scattered light, allowing for efficient use of laser power with high intensities in the middle and reduced intensity towards the edges, thereby enhancing the overall lighting performance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one light conversion means (5), in particular with a phosphor for light conversion
Implementation Method 2
the laser beam of which is directed by a beam deflection means (3) in a scanning manner onto at least one light conversion means (5)
Implementation Method 3
with a projection system (7) for projecting the illuminated image generated on the at least one light conversion means (5) as a light image (6') onto the roadway
Data Source
Figure 1~1a
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3~4d
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for generating a light distribution on a road (8) using a motor vehicle headlight, wherein at least one laser beam (2) that can be modulated in intensity is directed in at least one coordinate direction in a scanning manner to a light conversion means (5) using at least one controlled beam deflection means (3), in order to generate an illuminated image (6) on same, which illuminated image is projected as a light image (6') onto the road using a projection optic (7), wherein the image generated from the laser beam (2) using the beam deflection means (3) is distributed by deflecting the laser beam (2') by means of an image convolution means (4), and the sub-images are projected in a mirror-imaged manner in relation to a division line onto the light conversion means (5), combined to form an entire illuminated image (6). The invention also relates to a corresponding headlight for motor vehicles, wherein an image convolution means (4) is arranged between the beam deflection means (3) and the light conversion means (5).