Vehicle Headlight Optical Component with Segmented LED Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting devices for motor vehicles lack the ability to create a highly variable light distribution with minimal adjustment effort, particularly in terms of producing a matrix light distribution with distinct vertical light/dark boundaries.
Innovation Solution
The lighting device is designed with multiple light sources, including LEDs, arranged in groups and accompanied by reflecting surfaces that allow for selective control of light emission and deflection, enabling the creation of a matrix light distribution with vertical light/dark boundaries through total internal reflection and separate optical channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple light sources are arranged side by side with selective control, then a variable light distribution with vertical light/dark boundaries can be generated, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting device is divided into multiple independently controllable light sources (at least two LEDs) arranged side by side, allowing individual control of each light source to create variable light distributions with vertical light/dark boundaries. This segmentation enables the system to generate different lighting patterns by selectively activating specific light sources.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple light sources and optical components are integrated into a single housing structure, combining the functions of light generation, light directionality, and distribution control into one unified lighting device. This merging reduces the need for separate components while maintaining the ability to create variable light distributions.
2Ease of manufacture
If a monolithic optical component is used, then the construction becomes flatter with less adjustment effort, but the ability to create complex light distributions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple optical channels, each associated with a specific light source. Each optical channel includes its own light entry surface, reflecting surfaces, and light exit surface, allowing independent optical control for each light source while maintaining an integrated monolithic structure that simplifies manufacturing.
3Illumination intensity
If light sources are arranged in groups with reflecting surfaces, then illumination intensity in the center is increased, but the device requires more precise optical alignment
Solution Approach 1:
Curved reflecting surfaces are used in the optical channels to redirect light from the light sources toward the center of the lighting device. The curved geometry of the reflecting surfaces enables precise light directionality and central concentration without requiring complex mechanical alignment, as the curvature itself guides the light paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical components are designed to automatically direct light toward the center through their geometric configuration, eliminating the need for external alignment mechanisms. The light entry surfaces, reflecting surfaces, and light exit surfaces are shaped to inherently guide light along precise paths, self-correcting for alignment tolerances.
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 design allows for a flexible and efficient generation of light distributions with minimal effort, achieving a flat construction and higher illumination intensity in the center by selectively controlling individual light sources and their associated reflecting surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the at least one reflecting surface in this case can be designed such that the light that has entered through the at least one light entry surface is reflected by total internal reflection
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle having a multiplicity of light sources from which light radiates in operation of the lighting device, an optical component that has at least one light entry surface for the light radiating from the light sources and at least one light exit surface for the light that has entered through the at least one light entry surface, as well as a secondary optical system that has at least one light entry surface for the light radiating from the at least one light exit surface of the optical component as well as at least one light exit surface for the light that has entered through the at least one light entry surface, wherein the light that has exited from the at least one light exit surface of the secondary optical system produces a light distribution outside the motor vehicle in operation of the lighting device.