Segmented SLM Illumination for Efficient Vehicle Headlight Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of spatial light modulators (SLMs) in vehicle headlights increases complexity and reduces efficiency, as they often require reflecting light away from the field of view, leading to increased cost and reduced overall efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A multi-segment illumination source optically coupled to the SLM, controlled by driver circuitry, allows individual segments to be enabled or disabled, reducing the need for SLM reflection and maintaining color temperature through pulse width modulation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a spatial light modulator is integrated into vehicle headlights, then light projection accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source is divided into multiple independently controllable segments, each corresponding to a specific region of the SLM. This segmentation allows selective illumination of only the portions of the SLM that need to actively modulate light, reducing the overall system complexity while maintaining projection accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the need for SLM reflection by directly illuminating the SLM segments that correspond to the desired field of view. This eliminates the harmful reflection path and simplifies the optical system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spatial light modulator is used in vehicle headlights, then light modification capability is improved, but overall efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Different segments of the illumination source are controlled with different illumination intensities based on the specific requirements of each field of view region. This local quality control ensures that energy is not wasted illuminating portions of the SLM that do not need to actively modulate light, thereby improving overall efficiency while maintaining light modification capability.
3Measurement precision
If the illumination source is divided into multiple segments, then control precision over light intensity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination source is segmented into multiple independently controllable regions, each with its own driver circuitry. This segmentation enables precise control of light intensity for each segment, allowing the system to illuminate only the necessary portions of the SLM with appropriate intensity levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple segments are controlled through a unified control system that coordinates the driver circuitry across all segments. This merging of control functions allows precise individual segment control while avoiding the complexity of completely independent control systems for each segment.
4Productivity
If driver circuitry controls individual illumination segments, then illumination efficiency is improved, but circuit complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The driver circuitry is designed with universal functionality to control multiple illumination segments. Each driver can selectively enable or disable specific segments based on the required field of view, improving illumination efficiency by avoiding unnecessary illumination while managing circuit complexity through standardized control mechanisms.
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 approach enhances the efficiency and reduces integration complexity of vehicle headlights by enabling precise control of light intensity and temperature across different portions of the field of view without altering the color temperature.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination source including a first illumination source segment and a second illumination source segment... the first driver configured to produce a first drive signal to instruct the first illumination source segment to produce a first light having a first illumination intensity
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes an illumination source including a first illumination source segment and a second illumination source segment. The apparatus also includes driver circuitry coupled to the illumination source, the driver circuitry including a first driver coupled to the first illumination source segment, the first driver configured to produce a first drive signal to instruct the first illumination source segment to produce a first light having a first illumination intensity. The driver circuitry also includes a second driver coupled to the second illumination source segment, the second driver configured to produce a second drive signal to instruct the second illumination source segment to produce a second light having a second illumination intensity.