Micro-patterned Reflector for Laser Headlight Beam Shaping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems, such as those used in automotive headlights, face challenges in optimally shaping and directing light beams to achieve maximum intensity in a desired direction, as the light reflected from a phosphorous element is difficult to reshape into a focused beam.
Innovation Solution
A laser-based lighting system incorporating a scanning mirror arrangement, a wavelength conversion element, and a reflector element with a micro-patterned surface featuring an array of micro-focal elements, such as microlenses or micro-reflectors, configured to converge or diverge incident light, allowing precise shaping and direction of the light beam.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a simple reflector is used behind the phosphorous element, then the amount of light in the desired direction is increased, but the light is reflected in all directions making it difficult to reshape into a focused beam
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector surface is segmented into multiple micro-focal elements (microlenses or micro-reflectors) arranged in an array. Each micro-element independently shapes and redirects light, transforming a single complex beam shaping task into multiple simpler localized operations, thereby achieving focused beam directionality while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the reflector surface are given different local optical properties through the micro-focal elements. Each micro-element is optimized to handle light from specific areas of the phosphorous element, creating locally optimized beam shaping that collectively produces a well-collimated output beam in the desired direction.
2Measurement precision
If additional beam shaping elements are added to focus light, then beam directionality is improved, but light loss increases and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The beam shaping and light redirection functions are merged into the reflector element itself through the micro-focal elements. This integration eliminates the need for separate beam shaping components, reducing the number of optical interfaces where light loss occurs and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining precise beam directionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflector element performs multiple functions simultaneously: it reflects light toward the exit aperture, shapes the beam, and directs it precisely. The micro-focal elements on the reflector surface serve themselves to accomplish beam shaping without requiring external assistance from additional optical components, thereby minimizing light loss and system complexity.
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
The system accurately shapes and directs light beams to a desired location with high precision, minimizing the need for additional beam shaping elements and reducing light loss, as the micro-focal elements effectively redirect light from the wavelength conversion element, enhancing the efficiency and flexibility of light distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a scanning mirror arrangement, arranged to be rotatable around two substantially orthogonal axes, for receiving the light radiated by the light source, and for reflecting the received light to a wavelength conversion element
Implementation Method 2
the phosphorous element acting as a secondary light source re-emits useful white light in different directions
Implementation Method 3
said micro-focal elements being configured to converge or diverge incident light from the wavelength conversion element
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system with a laser light source for radiating light; a wavelength conversion element for receiving the radiated light from the light source and for re-emitting wavelength converted white light; and a reflector element for reflecting the light received from the wavelength conversion element is disclosed. The reflector element comprises a reflective surface and a micro-patterned surface comprising an array of micro-focal elements. Each micro-focal elements is configured to converge or diverge incident light from the wavelength conversion element.