Liquid Crystal Lighting Apparatus for Dynamic Light Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular lamps are limited in their ability to produce various light distribution patterns, leading to inefficiencies in light utilization and difficulty in adapting to different conditions such as other vehicles or pedestrians, and existing solutions often compromise on light distribution flexibility or efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A lighting apparatus utilizing a diffusion type liquid crystal element with pixel regions that can be controlled to switch between transparent and scattering states, integrated with a collimating optical system, camera, and control device to dynamically adjust light distribution patterns based on detected objects, enhancing light utilization efficiency without the need for polarizers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a liquid crystal optical element with grating part and non-grating part is used to vary horizontal width of light distribution pattern, then light distribution pattern can be adjusted, but only two fixed patterns (basic and spread) are obtainable and various other patterns cannot be realized
Solution Approach 1:
The liquid crystal display element is divided into multiple pixel regions (first pixel region and second pixel region) that can be independently controlled. Each pixel region can be set to different light transmission states, enabling the creation of various light distribution patterns by combining different transmission states across regions, thus achieving pattern versatility without complex optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid crystal display element provides dynamic control over light transmission in different pixel regions through independent voltage application. This dynamic control allows real-time adjustment of light distribution patterns to match various conditions (other vehicles, pedestrians, etc.), transforming a static optical system into an adaptable one.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a liquid crystal element with polarizer is used to obtain various light distribution patterns, then pattern variety is improved, but light utilization efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the polarizer from the optical system while retaining the ability to generate various light distribution patterns through independent control of pixel regions in the liquid crystal display element. This extraction eliminates the light absorption loss caused by polarizers while preserving pattern versatility through electronic control of light transmission states.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple projection optics with different focal lengths are used to obtain various light distribution patterns, then pattern variety is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
A single liquid crystal display element serves multiple functions by independently controlling different pixel regions to generate various light distribution patterns. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for multiple projection optics with different focal lengths, simplifying the optical system while maintaining pattern versatility.
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
Enables the creation of various light distribution patterns with improved light utilization efficiency by controlling light transmission and scattering in each pixel region, simplifying the optical system and reducing costs while adapting to different conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a diffusion type liquid crystal element having a plurality of pixel regions, and each pixel region forms an image having a bright state or a dark state
Implementation Method 2
controlling light transmission and scattering in each pixel region
Implementation Method 3
a collimating optical system
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
To provide a lighting apparatus (100) that is capable of obtaining various light distribution patterns and is superior in light utilization efficiency. The lighting apparatus (100) includes a light source (1), a light conversion part (2) for converting the light emitted from the light source (1) into nearly parallel beams, a light modulating part (3) having a plurality of pixel regions arranged so that the nearly parallel beams can be incident and capable of switching between a light transmitting state and a light scattering state for each of the pixel regions, and a projection lens (4) disposed on the light path of the nearly parallel beams and on the light emitting side of the light modulating part (3) and where the projection lens (4) projects an image formed by the light modulating part using the nearly parallel beams.