Motorcycle Headlamp Light Guide Layout for Uniform Segmented Beams
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Solution Overview
Problem
Motorcycle headlamps often have a lower number of segments in their light patterns due to limited space, resulting in wider spatial angles and visible differences in light intensity, leading to darker vertical gaps between segments.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device with a segmented light guide unit comprising light guide elements and a homogenization body, where the light guide elements are arranged in multiple columns and rows, and feature a rounded protrusion on one edge to increase the light entrance surface, allowing for partial homogenization and smooth overlap of light between segments, and a projection lens to project the light pattern, enabling independent activation of rows based on the motorcycle's bank angle.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the number of segments in the light pattern is increased to improve light distribution homogeneity, then the spatial angle of each segment decreases and vertical gaps become less visible, but the device size increases which is not feasible for motorcycles with limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide unit is divided into multiple light guide elements arranged in columns and rows, with each element corresponding to a segment in the light pattern. This segmentation allows independent control of light intensity in different regions, enabling homogeneity improvement without increasing overall device size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a rounded protrusion on one edge of each light guide element, adding a geometric feature in a different dimension (edge geometry) to increase the light entrance surface area. This allows more light to enter each segment, improving homogeneity without requiring more segments or larger device area.
2Illumination intensity
If the number of segments is increased to reduce visible vertical gaps, then light distribution homogeneity improves, but the device complexity increases due to more light guide elements and control channels
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple light guide elements are merged into a single integrated light guide unit that is created as one piece by injection molding. This combining approach reduces assembly complexity and manufacturing steps while maintaining the segmented structure needed for homogeneity control.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide unit serves multiple functions: it segments the light pattern, controls light distribution homogeneity, and integrates the homogenization body. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
3Illumination intensity
If light guide elements with larger light entrance surfaces are used to improve homogeneity, then light intensity distribution becomes more uniform, but the cross section of each element increases which may exceed available space
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded protrusion is applied locally to specific edges of the light guide elements rather than increasing the overall cross section uniformly. This localized geometric modification increases the light entrance surface area only where needed, improving homogeneity without significantly increasing the element's overall size.
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 solution provides a more homogeneous light distribution, reducing visible vertical lines and maintaining optimal road illumination while cornering, by ensuring consistent light intensity and coverage, and supporting both high and low beam light distributions effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide elements can direct the light towards the homogenization body. A light guide element has a surface for receiving light and guides the light within the light guide element by way of reflection, in particular total reflection along the side walls
Implementation Method 2
the light homogenization body extends along the main beam direction in order to allow at least partial homogenization of light received from the light guide elements
Implementation Method 3
a projection lens, which is configured to receive the light emitted from the collective light exit surface of the light homogenization body and to project the segmented light pattern
Data Source
AI summary
An illumination device for a motorcycle headlamp, which device is configured to create a segmented light pattern and includes: (i) a plurality of light sources, at least some of which are configured to be activated independently from each other, (ii) a segmented light guide unit, including a plurality of light guide elements and a light homogenization body, and (iii) a projection lens, which is configured to receive the light emitted from the collective light exit surface of the light homogenization body and to project the segmented light pattern, wherein at least some of the light guide elements are part of a first group of light guide elements, said first group having a defined geometric shape of the light entry surface, which is limited by four corners connected by four side edges (left, right, lower, and upper) wherein three of the side edges are straight, and the fourth edge has a rounded protrusion, which increases the light entrance surface, and is either the left or the right edge of the respective light guide element.