Pivotable Laser Unit Optics for Headlight Beam Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlight laser systems face challenges in precisely directing laser beams onto phosphor converters due to manufacturing tolerances and the need for manual dexterity in adjusting optical elements, making it difficult to achieve optimal coordination of multiple laser beams during mass production.
Innovation Solution
The laser unit features pivotable optical elements, such as collimators and deflection mirrors, that can adjust along spatial axes, allowing for precise alignment after assembly, with a lever and spring mechanism for easy adjustment and permanent fixation, enabling accurate laser beam direction onto the phosphor converter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical elements are cemented in a support plate using a lens holder, then the laser beam can be directed onto the phosphor converter, but the adjustment process requires great manual dexterity and effort in mass production
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the optical elements (collimator lens and deflection mirror) pivotable about spatial axes rather than fixed in position. This allows the optical elements to be dynamically adjusted during assembly and then fixed in the optimal position, resolving the contradiction between achieving precise alignment and simplifying mass production assembly.
2Power
If multiple laser units are used to excite a phosphor converter, then the light output can be increased, but it becomes difficult to achieve optimal coordination of the individual laser beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by providing pivotable mounting for each optical element, enabling independent adjustment of each laser beam's path. This allows optimal coordination of multiple laser beams to be achieved during assembly by adjusting each beam individually, then maintaining that coordination through the pivotable fixation mechanism.
3Reliability
If the laser beam is precisely directed onto the phosphor converter, then the headlight functions safely and efficiently, but manufacturing tolerances make preadjustment impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the preliminary action principle by providing a pivotable fixation mechanism that allows adjustment to be performed before the final assembly step. The optical elements can be preliminarily positioned and fixed in the optimal alignment, and then the entire assembly is secured in the downstream mounting process, ensuring reliable laser beam direction while accommodating manufacturing tolerances.
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 simplifies the adjustment and fixation of laser units, reducing manual dexterity requirements and ensuring precise laser beam alignment, thereby enhancing the safety and efficiency of vehicle headlight operation by compensating for manufacturing tolerances and facilitating easy readjustment.
Implementation Method 1
the use of laser light sources such as semiconductor lasers
Implementation Method 2
a laser light source is used to irradiate a means of light conversion, a so-called phosphor converter, which is excited by the laser light to emit visible light
Implementation Method 3
a collimator lens of a laser unit in a corresponding support plate using a lens holder
Implementation Method 4
adjustable optics that guide the light emitted from the laser diode onto a deflection mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A laser unit (2) for a vehicle headlight with a laser diode (11) and, associated with the laser diode (11), adjustable optics with optical elements comprising at least one collimator, wherein at least one optical element selected from the group consisting of a collimator (13, 22) and a deflection mirror (20) is mounted so that it can pivot about at least one spatial axis.