Vehicle Headlight Parabolic Reflector Sector Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle headlights with LED technology face inefficiencies in light beam homogeneity and lack a clear, visible commercial symbol or logo, especially at night and during the day.
Innovation Solution
A headlight design featuring a parabolic reflector with separate sectors for distinct light beams, a transparent shield, and a mask with a partially transparent window to create a homogenous light beam and illuminate a logo or symbol, using multiple LEDs to generate high, low, and position beams, ensuring the logo is visible both day and night.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If multiple LEDs are arranged in a reflective cap to generate different light beams, then the headlight can produce position light, low beam and high beam, but the light beam homogeneity is insufficient and visibility is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The parabolic reflector is divided into two separate sectors by a support partition: a first sector receiving light from a first plurality of LEDs and a second sector receiving light from a second plurality of LEDs. This segmentation allows independent optimization of light beam homogeneity for each sector while maintaining overall system functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the headlight are assigned different functions with tailored optical properties. The first and second sectors of the reflector are optimized for different beam patterns, the mask with its transparent and opaque portions creates specific illumination zones, and the window geometry is designed to produce the desired light distribution pattern.
2Loss of information
If a mask with transparent shield is used to create commercial symbol/logo, then the logo visibility is improved, but the manufacturing cost and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The commercial logo or symbol is reproduced by creating a window in the mask whose perimeter edge outlines the desired logo shape. When the third light beam illuminates this window from behind, the logo is optically copied and projected forward, providing clear visibility without requiring complex physical logo structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The mask utilizes optical properties of transparency and opacity to create the logo effect. The transparent portions of the mask allow light to pass through and illuminate the logo shape, while the opaque portions block light to define the logo boundaries, creating a visible commercial symbol through optical contrast rather than physical material differences.
3Ease of operation
If the third light beam is arranged to backlight the window, then the position light or day running light function is achieved, but the light scattering reduces illumination efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The window in the mask serves as an intermediary element between the third light beam and the external environment. It shapes and directs the backlight from the third plurality of LEDs to create the position light or day running light effect while controlling light distribution to minimize scattering losses through its specific geometric design.
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 design enhances light beam homogeneity and visibility, maintains the attractiveness of the vehicle by clearly displaying the logo or symbol, and is cost-effective to manufacture, improving both night and day visibility.
Implementation Method 1
a parabolic reflector comprising an opening, said parabolic reflector being configured to reflect and distribute a light beam in a homogenous manner, toward said opening
Implementation Method 2
a mask comprising at least a partially transparent window arranged so that said third light beam illuminates said window. The mask is arranged in front of the support partition and the third light beam is pointed toward said opening so to backlight the window
Implementation Method 3
the third light beam is pointed so to light at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the window. Thereby, the third light beam provides for at least a pair of LEDs arranged on sides opposed to each other and pointed at the edge of the window, so that the third beam produced by the latter diffuses by refraction and illuminates the window
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5C
AI summary
A headlight (1) comprising: a parabolic reflector (2) comprising an opening (2a), said parabolic reflector (2) being configured to reflect and distribute in a homogenous manner toward the opening (2a) at least a light beam (5a,5b); a transparent shield (3) to close said opening (2a); a bearing partition (4) arranged in the parabolic reflector (2), so to define a first sector of the reflector (15) and a second sector of the reflector (16) opposed to each other with respect to said bearing partition (4); at least a light source configured to generate: a first light beam (5a) pointed toward said first sector of the reflector (15); a second light beam (6a) pointed toward said second sector of the reflector (16); a third light beam (7a); a mask (8) comprising at least a partially transparent window (9) arranged so that said third light beam illuminates said window (9).