Pixelated Light Module Lens for Sharp Beam Edges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing lighting and signaling devices for motor vehicles, particularly those using pixelated light sources, face challenges in achieving satisfactory sharpness and homogeneity of illumination due to spacing between emissive elements, leading to contrast issues and less clear contours, which affect glare protection and overall beam quality.

Innovation Solution

A light module with a pixelated light source and an optical device featuring a lens with a symmetrical hollow pattern profile, allowing controlled spreading and attenuation of color inhomogeneities, ensuring sharp edges and uniform illumination by optimizing the transmittance function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If emissive elements are placed close together to reduce spacing, then beam continuity improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and color inhomogeneities become more apparent

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam continuityVSAvoidelement spacing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical device with a specific microlens structure as an intermediary between the pixelated light source and the final beam projection. This intermediary component compensates for the spacing between emissive elements and corrects color inhomogeneities, allowing elements to be placed closer together without directly exposing the manufacturing precision limitations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If emissive elements are spaced apart to reduce color inhomogeneity impact, then color uniformity improves, but beam continuity deteriorates and dark junction zones appear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor uniformityVSAvoidbeam continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies optical parameters through the microlens structure, specifically the focal length, aperture, and lens spacing, to achieve optimal beam homogeneity. By adjusting these parameters, the system can maintain beam continuity while compensating for color variations from spaced emissive elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Area of stationary object

If beam spread angle is increased to improve illumination coverage, then area coverage improves, but beam edge sharpness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverage areaVSAvoidbeam edge sharpness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the beam through the microlens array structure. Each microlens is optimized to maintain sharp edges at beam boundaries while allowing appropriate spread in the interior regions, achieving both edge definition and area coverage through localized optical quality variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 enhances the sharpness of the beam's contour and achieves homogeneous illumination, reducing dark areas and color inconsistencies, thereby improving the clarity and effectiveness of the lighting function while minimizing unnecessary emissive element activation.

Implementation Method 1

an optical device for projecting light beams capable of cooperating with the pixelated light source, the device comprising a lens

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP4045841B1Light module for motor vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.08.21 VALEO VISION SA
  • EP4045841B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4045841B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4045841B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Optical device for a lighting module. The invention relates to an optical device and a lighting module comprising a light source (1) provided with a plurality of emitting elements (11) and with said optical device. One face of a lens of the device comprises an array of recessed patterns (23), each of which is organized with a specific profile so as to produce an optimized light distribution. Said profile in particular has a rotational symmetry.