Automotive Headlight Semiconductor Matrix for Glare Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current semiconductor lighting devices for automotive headlight applications face challenges in optimizing light emission profiles to prevent glare to oncoming road users, as existing optical elements may not adequately address the issue of upward light projection.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device with a semiconductor layer comprising high luminance and low luminance areas arranged according to a predefined light emission profile, where high luminance areas are electrically connected in series and low luminance areas are connected in parallel or not connected to the power source, allowing for tailored light emission patterns that reduce upward light projection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If optical elements are tailored to shape headlight beam distributions, then light emission quality is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission surface is segmented into multiple independently controllable semiconductor light emitting devices arranged in a matrix array, where each device can be individually controlled to emit or not emit light. This segmentation replaces the need for complex optical elements by using electronic control of discrete light sources to achieve the desired beam distribution pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light emission surface are assigned different luminance characteristics by selectively activating or deactivating specific semiconductor light emitting devices. High luminance areas and low luminance areas are arranged according to a predefined light emission profile, allowing local optimization of light emission quality without requiring complex optical elements throughout the entire system.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If optical elements are tailored to prevent upward light projection, then glare to oncoming road users is reduced, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The semiconductor light emitting devices are pre-arranged in a matrix array with specific spatial positions and electrical connections configured before operation. The electrical connections are designed such that groups of devices can be selectively activated or deactivated to pre-establish the desired light emission profile that prevents upward light projection, eliminating the need for expensive post-manufacturing optical tailoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive, complex optical elements with simpler, cheaper semiconductor light emitting devices that can be individually controlled. The semiconductor devices serve as the primary means of shaping the light beam, eliminating or reducing the need for costly optical components while achieving the same glare reduction effect.
3Shape
If multiple luminance images are mapped onto one another using dedicated optical elements, then beam distribution is shaped, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/optical system of mapping multiple luminance images through dedicated optical elements with an electrical control system. By selectively activating or deactivating semiconductor light emitting devices through electrical signals, the desired beam distribution shape is achieved without the complexity of optical image mapping mechanisms.
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 solution enables improved light emission profiles that effectively prevent glare by adjusting luminance levels, allowing for optimized emission characteristics even with lower quality optical elements, reducing costs and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
Lighting devices comprising semiconductor light emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) may form advantageous light sources
Implementation Method 2
the at least one semiconductor layer may be a layer, for example an epitaxial layer, formed on a suitable substrate from a suitable material to emit photons when excited
Data Source
Figure 1A~1C
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AI summary
A lighting device according to the invention comprises at least one semiconductor layer; at least one light emission surface comprising an array of high luminance areas configured to emit light at a first local luminance level and low luminance areas configured to emit no light or to emit light at a second local luminance level lower than the first local luminance level; a plurality of semiconductor light emitting devices formed in the semiconductor layer to define the plurality of high luminance areas; wherein the high luminance areas and the low luminance areas are arranged in accordance with a predefined light emission profile of the light emission surface.