Vehicle Lighting Module Reflector Zoning for Accurate Telemetry
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of a telemetry system, particularly LIDAR, into a vehicle's lighting module results in impaired accuracy due to shared optical elements affecting both functions, leading to incomplete laser radiation reflection and compromised measurement accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A lighting module design where the light sources and detector are positioned in the same focal plane, with a reflector having specific reflection zones oriented differently for each telemetry function, ensuring complete light beam reflection onto the object and improving measurement accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a single reflector is used for both lighting and telemetry functions, then the optical element size can be increased to improve light collection, but the measurement accuracy of the telemetry function deteriorates due to incomplete laser radiation reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector surface is segmented into multiple zones with different orientations. Each zone is dedicated to reflecting light from a specific light source toward its intended target (road for lighting, object to be measured for telemetry), allowing both functions to operate independently without interference
Solution Approach 2:
Different zones of the reflector are given different local properties (orientations) optimized for their specific function. The lighting zones have orientations optimized for road illumination, while telemetry zones have orientations optimized for directing laser beams to objects to be measured, ensuring each function receives appropriate optical quality
2Measurement precision
If the reflector surface is made irregular with protruding specific reflection zones, then the telemetry function accuracy improves through complete light beam reflection, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is manufactured as an integrated piece with pre-formed zones of different orientations, eliminating the need for separate assembly of multiple reflectors while achieving the segmentation effect. This reduces assembly complexity compared to using multiple separate optical elements
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple reflector zones with different orientations are merged into a single reflector component, combining the functionality of what would otherwise require multiple separate optical elements into one manufacturable part, simplifying the overall structure
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
Enhances the accuracy of telemetry measurements by ensuring all light beams from the telemetry function are reflected onto the object, maintaining the integrity of both lighting and telemetry performance.
Implementation Method 1
a single reflector configured to reflect the light rays emitted by the at least one light source of the lighting function along a lighting direction and to return light rays coming from at least one object to be measured located on the road towards the detector
Implementation Method 2
the reflector comprises at least one specific reflection zone associated with each light source of the telemetry function, each specific zone having a specific orientation different from the orientation of the rest of the deflector and configured to return to one of the objects to be measured the light beam emitted by the associated light source of the telemetry function
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle lighting module equipped with a rangefinding function, comprising: - at least one light source of a lighting function emitting light beams along a first optical path, - at least one light source (14) of the rangefinding function emitting light beams along a second optical path, - at least one detector of the rangefinding function configured to detect light beams, - a single reflector (16) configured to perform the lighting and rangefinding functions. The various light sources and the detector are located in the same focal plane of the reflector. The reflector (16) has at least one specific reflection zone (20) associated with each light source (14) of the rangefinding function configured to reflect the entire light beam emitted by the associated light source back towards one of the objects to be measured.