Lighting System Redirection Element Discontinuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems, particularly in automotive headlamps, face challenges in generating desired lighting patterns due to the restricted range of motion of micromirrors, which limits the complexity and cost of optical designs, and results in unsuitable light intensity distributions.
Innovation Solution
A lighting system incorporating a redirection element with a discontinuity in the optical path, allowing the scanning system to redirect light to spaced apart locations on a converter element, effectively increasing the range of scanning patterns that can be produced, and achieving desired light intensity profiles by mapping light patterns to appropriate regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a micromirror with restricted range of motion is used to redirect light, then the device complexity is reduced, but the range of scanning patterns that can be produced is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The redirection element is divided into multiple sections (first section and second section) separated by a discontinuity. Each section redirects light to different locations on the converter element, enabling the system to generate a broader range of scanning patterns while keeping each individual section relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The redirection element acts as an intermediary component between the micromirror and the converter element. It takes the limited angular range from the micromirror and transforms it into a broader spatial distribution on the converter element through its discontinuous structure, effectively decoupling the micromirror's motion range from the final light distribution range.
2Ease of operation
If the distance between micromirror and converter element is increased to accommodate restricted micromirror motion range, then the range of motion requirement is met, but the optical design becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of increasing distance along the optical axis to accommodate the micromirror's limited angular range, the redirection element with discontinuity transforms the problem by creating spatial separation in the transverse direction. Light rays that are close together angularly are mapped to widely separated locations on the converter element, achieving the required motion range without increasing the axial distance.
3Device complexity
If a conventional scanning system without redirection element discontinuity is used, then the optical path is simpler, but the light intensity distribution cannot achieve desired patterns with higher center intensity and lower edge intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The redirection element is designed with different sections that redirect light to different regions of the converter element. The first section redirects light to a first portion of the converter element while the second section redirects light to a second portion, allowing different regions to receive light with appropriate intensity characteristics to achieve the desired overall distribution pattern.
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 the generation of complex light patterns with higher intensity at the center and lower intensity at the edges, suitable for various applications, including automotive headlamps, by redirecting light past a discontinuity in the redirection element, thereby overcoming the limitations of micromirror motion and optical design complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a converter element, configured to receive the first light and emit second light
Implementation Method 2
a redirection element, arranged in the optical path between the scanning system and the converter element, the redirection element having a discontinuity; wherein the redirection element is arranged to direct the first light to spaced apart locations on the converter element
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system includes a light source such as a laser, a scanning system such as a micro-mechanical mirror, and a converter element such as a phosphor. A redirection element is arranged in the optical path and has a discontinuity so that light is redirected to spaced apart locations on the converter element from adjacent locations on either side of the discontinuity. The redirection element increases the light's angular range. The lighting system may have a lens to project a desired pattern of light on the converter element forwards. A controller may control the scanning system to produce the desired pattern of light. The lighting system may adapt the pattern of light. The lighting system may be used in automotive applications.