Optical Structure for Motor Vehicle Headlight Light Distribution
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlight designs face challenges in achieving the required light distribution patterns with minimal dazzling effect, sharp light-dark boundaries, and undesirable light effects between segments, which are not aesthetically pleasing and can cause driver fatigue.
Innovation Solution
An optical structure that modifies the entire light distribution by convolving the unmodified light distribution with a scattering function, using a multiplicity of identical structural elements distributed over a defined area, such as a lens or diffusing plate, to produce a predefinable light distribution that reduces sharpness and provides signlight without external structural modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If special facets or discrete raised portions are used to provide signlight, then the required light intensities above the HD line are achieved, but the structures are perceivable externally as bright light points and are increasingly rejected for design reasons
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the optical surface by introducing a scattering function with specific scattering angles and intensities. This transforms the light distribution to achieve signlight functionality while avoiding the creation of distinct bright points, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving required illumination intensity and maintaining aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The scattering function is applied locally at specific positions and angles relative to the HD line. By concentrating the scattering effect in specific angular regions rather than uniformly across the entire surface, the patent achieves the required light intensities above the HD line while avoiding the creation of perceptible bright points, thus resolving the contradiction between functional requirement and aesthetic appearance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the lens surface is randomly roughened to achieve softer HD boundary, then gradient softening is achieved, but dazzling of oncoming road users occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of random roughening, the patent introduces a controlled scattering function with specific parameters (scattering angles, intensities) that is deliberately designed to achieve gradient softening while preventing dazzling. The scattering function is optimized to redirect light away from oncoming drivers while still softening the HD boundary, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving softer boundary and avoiding dazzling effects.
3Stability of the object's composition
If modulation is applied to the lens surface to achieve gradient softening, then HD boundary softness is improved, but changes in lighting technology have significant and in part negative effect on the flow of light distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a scattering function with specific scattering angles and intensities that is independently optimized from the lighting technology. This allows the scattering function to provide gradient softening while being compatible with various lighting technologies (LEDs, lasers, etc.), thus resolving the contradiction between achieving softer boundary and maintaining adaptability to different lighting systems.
4Illumination intensity
If light segments are arranged to border one another directly to eliminate dark regions, then full light operation has no visible grids, but when one or more light segments are switched off, the light distribution in these regions has a sharp light-dark boundary which is annoying and leads to fatigue
Solution Approach 1:
The scattering function is applied to the optical surface to modify the light distribution from each light segment. This creates a softer transition between light segments and their surroundings, eliminating the sharp boundaries that cause driver fatigue. The scattering function ensures that even when individual segments are switched off, the remaining segments have softened boundaries, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining uniform illumination and ensuring driver comfort.
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 effectively reduces the sharpness of the light-dark boundary, provides comfortable illumination, and eliminates annoying light effects between segments, meeting legal requirements and improving driver experience.
Implementation Method 1
the modified light distribution is formed by convolution of the unmodified light distribution with a scattering function
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an optical structure (100) for a lighting device (1) of a motor vehicle headlight, which lighting device (1) is designed to radiate light, the light radiated from the lighting device (1) forming a predefined light distribution (LV1), wherein the optical structure (100) is associated with the lighting device (1) in such a way or is part of the lighting device (1) in such a way that substantially the entire flow of light from the lighting device (1) passes through the optical structure (100), and wherein the unmodified light distribution (LV1) produced by the lighting device (1) is modified by the optical structure (100) into a predefinable, modified light distribution (LV2), wherein the modified light distribution (LV2) is formed by convolution of the unmodified light distribution (LV1) with a scattering function (PSF), and wherein the optical structure (100) is designed in such a way that the unmodified light distribution (LV1) is modified according to the scattering function.