Appearance Light Module Without Primary Optics for Homogeneous Output
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing appearance light modules for motor vehicle headlamps are costly, complex to install, and often fail to provide a homogeneous lighting effect, with visible light sources and requiring multiple optical components.
Innovation Solution
An appearance light module design that omits primary optical elements, using a secondary optical element with an intake and emission geometry separated by an air gap, allowing direct light emission from an LED source, reducing material and component count, and enhancing homogeneity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If multiple optical components (primary optical element, secondary optical element with projection lens, reflectors) are used in appearance light modules, then the appearance function and light distribution can be achieved, but the device complexity increases and production costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the primary optical element from the appearance light module, keeping only the secondary optical element with projection lens. This extraction of the primary optical element reduces the number of components and simplifies the structure while maintaining the appearance function through the secondary optical element alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary optical element with projection lens is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both the appearance light generator and the light distribution element. By making the secondary optical element multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate primary optical elements and reflectors, reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of operation
If multiple optical components are used to generate appearance light, then the light distribution can be controlled, but the installation and adjustment processes become more complicated and demand greater precision
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the primary optical element and reflectors from the appearance light module, the patent reduces the number of components that require installation and adjustment. This extraction directly simplifies the installation process and reduces the precision requirements compared to systems with multiple optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of the primary optical element and secondary optical element into a single integrated secondary optical element with projection lens. This merging reduces the number of alignment operations required during installation and reduces the overall precision demands of the system.
3Illumination intensity
If conventional optical concepts are used in appearance light modules, then light focusing can be achieved, but homogeneous lighting of the projection lens is not possible and the light sources appear as punctiform
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing the secondary optical element with specific zone-based functions: the first zone generates appearance light with homogeneous illumination, while the second zone provides light distribution. This local differentiation of functionality within the single optical element achieves homogeneous lighting without requiring complex multi-component systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary optical element is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides appearance light generation with homogeneous lighting and light distribution functions. This universality eliminates the need for separate optical components that would be required to achieve the same effect, simplifying the overall system while maintaining homogeneous illumination.
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 design reduces production costs, simplifies installation, and achieves a robust, homogeneous lighting effect resembling that of a main light module, while contributing to active photometry functions.
Implementation Method 1
a secondary optical element (3), which has an intake geometry (4) with an entry surface (10) for the light generated by the at least one light source (1), and an emission geometry (5) with an exit surface (13) for the light passing through the entry surface of the intake geometry (4)
Data Source
AI summary
An appearance light module for motor vehicle headlamp comprises at least one light source and one secondary optical element. The secondary optical element has an intake geometry with an entry surface for the light generated by the at least one light source, and an emission geometry with an exit surface for the light passing through the entry surface of the intake geometry. The exit surface of the emission geometry can be seen from outside the motor vehicle when the headlamp is installed in the motor vehicle. The appearance light module is not suitable for generating a low beam light distribution or a high beam light distribution. The appearance light module has no primary optical element, and the light from the at least one light source reaches the entry surface of the secondary optical element without being reflected and without passing through a refractive or diffractive optical element.