Vehicle Headlight Laser Source Inversion for Safety

The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the laser light source to emit radiation in the opposite direction to the main beam direction. Instead of the laser emitting forward like traditional headlights, it emits backward toward the rear of the headlight assembly, where the radiation is then redirected through optical elements to achieve the desired forward illumination. This inversion ensures that even if the headlight is damaged, the laser radiation cannot escape in the forward direction toward road users.

The patent introduces intermediary optical elements between the laser light source and the road ahead to manage the light distribution. These intermediaries include reflectors that redirect the backward-emitted laser radiation forward, and potentially phosphor converters that transform the laser wavelength into visible light. The imaging optical element acts as a mediator to shape and control the light distribution pattern, simplifying the overall control mechanism while maintaining safety.

The patent employs asymmetric positioning of the laser light source relative to the optical axis, arranging it at a specific angle (between 0° and 90°) rather than symmetrically on the axis. This asymmetric arrangement provides easier control over the radiation direction by allowing the laser beam to be redirected through the imaging optical element at controlled angles. The asymmetric design is compensated by the optical system's ability to focus and redirect the light, maintaining sufficient alignment precision for functional operation.