Headlight Submatrix Optics for Uniform Light Beam Projection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle headlights with diode matrices struggle to produce a uniform light beam due to gaps between light sources, requiring high numbers of expensive and fragile diodes, leading to increased production costs and fragility issues.
Innovation Solution
The use of submatrices with primary light sources and convergent optics that form virtual images upstream of the sources, allowing for a larger matrix size without the need for a single-piece monolithic matrix, reducing production costs and enhancing compactness while minimizing gaps between light beams.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a high number of diodes are used to increase beam resolution, then the beam uniformity improves, but the production cost increases and fragility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the light source matrix into multiple submatrices, each with fewer diodes. This segmentation reduces the total number of diodes needed while maintaining beam resolution through the optical combining effect. Each submatrix is processed by dedicated convergent optics, allowing parallel processing that achieves high-resolution uniform beams without requiring hundreds of individual diodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces convergent optics as an intermediary element between the submatrices and the final beam projection. These optics combine the light from multiple submatrices, creating a unified high-resolution beam pattern. The convergent optics act as a mediator that transforms the output from multiple low-resolution submatrices into a single high-resolution uniform beam, reducing the need for an excessively large number of diodes.
2Illumination intensity
If a single-piece monolithic matrix is used, then the beam uniformity improves, but the production cost increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of manufacturing one large monolithic matrix, the patent segments the light source array into multiple smaller submatrices. These submatrices can be manufactured separately using standard, cost-effective processes, then assembled into the final configuration. This approach avoids the high costs and manufacturing complexity associated with producing large monolithic matrices while achieving similar beam uniformity through the optical combining system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the optical output from multiple separate submatrices using convergent optics to create a unified beam pattern. This merging of light paths from independently manufactured submatrices achieves the beam uniformity of a monolithic matrix while retaining the manufacturing advantages of modular, cost-effective production of smaller components.
3Adaptability or versatility
If diodes are spaced apart to form a matrix, then the beam dimensions can be controlled, but gaps appear between light beams reducing uniformity
Solution Approach 1:
The convergent optics serve as an intermediary that bridges the gaps between spaced-apart diodes in each submatrix. These optics converge the light rays from individual diodes and adjacent submatrices, overlapping the beams to eliminate visible gaps. The result is a continuous, uniform light distribution that maintains beam dimension control while resolving the uniformity issue caused by diode spacing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent addresses the spacing gap issue by introducing the optical dimension through convergent optics. Instead of trying to reduce the physical spacing between diodes in the spatial domain, the solution operates in the optical domain by refracting and converging light rays to overlap beams from spaced diodes, effectively filling gaps through optical path manipulation rather than physical proximity.
4Measurement precision
If more light sources are used to increase resolution, then the beam precision improves, but the device fragility increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the high-resolution light source array into multiple submatrices, each containing fewer diodes. This segmentation reduces the fragility associated with large matrices while maintaining high beam resolution. The modular submatrix structure means that if one diode or small group fails, the overall system remains functional, and the smaller submatrices are less prone to manufacturing defects and handling damage compared to a single large matrix.
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 configuration results in a more cost-effective, robust, and uniform light beam projection system with improved compactness and reduced production defects, achieving better light distribution and reduced fragility.
Implementation Method 1
convergent optics, at least one convergent optic being associated with each submatrix and arranged downstream thereof, the separation between the optical axes of two adjacent convergent optics corresponds respectively to the separation between the centers of the corresponding adjacent submatrices
Data Source
AI summary
An optical light beam projection device, notably for a motor vehicle, includes upstream in the direction of propagation of the light rays, a set of at least two associated submatrices each provided with primary light sources capable of emitting light rays. Downstream, a primary optical system is provided with a plurality of convergent optics, at least one convergent optic being associated with each submatrix and arranged downstream thereof, the separation between the optical axes of two adjacent convergent optics corresponds respectively to the separation between the centers of the corresponding adjacent submatrices. Another subject of the invention is an optical module comprising the device and a motor vehicle headlight.