Motor Vehicle Illumination Device Micro-Optical Subdivision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current motor vehicle lighting devices have limited flexibility in modifying and adjusting the light distribution, as only the degrees of freedom of the micro entrance optics can be used, which restricts the possibilities for fine-tuning the emitted light pattern.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of at least two differently designed micro entrance optics, arranged as an NxM array, where N ≥ 2 or M ≥ 2, to pass through micro-exit optics, allowing for the formation of distinct partial areas of the light distribution, with specific designs such as plano-convex and plano-concave lenses, and free-form surfaces to enhance the light distribution's shape and focus.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only single micro entrance optics are used for each micro exit optic, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability for modifying light distribution is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The entrance optics are divided into multiple independently designable micro entrance optics (at least two) that can be selectively assigned to each micro exit optic. This segmentation allows different micro entrance optics to be optimized for different light distribution requirements, increasing adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables dynamic selection and assignment of different micro entrance optics to different micro exit optics based on specific lighting requirements. This dynamic configurability allows the same physical device to adapt to various light distribution patterns without requiring multiple complete optical systems
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple differently designed micro entrance optics are assigned to each micro exit optic, then the number of possibilities for modifying light distribution is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into multiple micro entrance optics and micro exit optics that can be independently designed and assigned. This segmentation enables combinatorial flexibility in creating different light distribution patterns while keeping individual components simple and manufacturable
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple micro entrance optics are designed to be universally compatible with the micro exit optics through a standardized assignment interface. This multi-functionality allows a single set of micro exit optics to work with different micro entrance optics, increasing adaptability without requiring completely different optical systems for each application
3Ease of operation
If conventional lenses with larger diameter and center thickness are used, then the manufacturing precision requirements are reduced, but the linear expansion and installation space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lens dimensions are scaled down to smaller diameters and center thicknesses while maintaining functional performance. This parameter change enables compact packaging and reduced installation space while the modular design compensates for the reduced size by allowing multiple lenses to be arranged in compact configurations
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 approach significantly increases the possibilities for modifying the light distribution, enabling better adjustment and alignment with legal requirements across different regions, while reducing manufacturing complexities and installation space, and improving illuminance and luminous flux efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a collimator, arranged between the at least one light source and the entry optics and for this purpose set up to collimate light beams generated by the at least one light source in order to generate collimated light beams in this way
Implementation Method 2
the entry optics having a plurality of micro entry optics formed integrally with one another, wherein a first optical axis is assigned to each micro entry optics
Implementation Method 3
the exit optics having a plurality of micro exit optics formed integrally with one another, wherein each micro exit optic is assigned a second optical axis
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle illumination device (1) for generating light distribution, comprising an optical imaging system (2) and at least one light source (3) associated with the optical imaging system, in which: the optical imaging system (2) comprises a collimator (4), an incidence optical element (5) and an emergence optical element (6); the collimator (4) is arranged between the at least one light source (3) and the incidence optical element (5) and is designed to collimate light beams produced by the at least one light source (3) in order to produce collimated light beams, and to guide the collimated light beams (7) towards the incidence optical element (5) of the optical imaging system (2); the incidence optical element (5) comprises a plurality of integrally formed incidence micro-optical elements (50 to 58), a first optical axis (50a to 58a) being associated with each incidence micro-optical element (50 to 58) and all first optical axes (50a to 58a) extending in the same direction corresponding to the direction of propagation of the collimated light beams (7); the emergence optical element (6) comprises a plurality of integrally formed emergence micro-optical elements (60), a second optical axis (60a) being associated with each emergence micro-optical element (60) and all second optical axes (60a) extending in the same direction; each incidence micro-optical element (50-58) comprises a light incidence surface (50b to 58b) facing the collimated light beams and a light emergence surface (50c to 58c) facing the emergence optical element (6), all of the light emergence surfaces (50c to 58c) forming a common, preferably flat surface (8); and at least two differently formed incidence micro-optical elements (50 to 58) are associated with each emergence micro-optical element (60) in such a way that light beams (9a to 9c) hitting the at least two differently formed incidence micro-optical elements (50 to 58) and passing through said at least two differently formed incidence micro-optical elements (50 to 58) exclusively hit the emergence micro-optical element (60) associated with the at least two differently formed incidence micro-optical elements (50 to 58) and form different sub-regions of the light distribution after having passed though the emergence micro-optical system (60).