Vehicle Illumination Device Using Scanning Parallel Light
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional illumination devices struggle to form clear and variable illumination patterns on distant surfaces, such as road surfaces, due to blurring caused by the angle of incidence and beam diameter of coherent light sources, leading to complex configurations and design challenges.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle-mounted illumination device that uses a collimating optical system to shape divergent light into parallel light, which is then diffracted by a diffractive optical element, allowing for clear and adjustable illumination patterns by changing the incident angle through a light scanning mechanism, thereby simplifying the configuration and reducing blurring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple diffraction patterns are recorded in advance in a diffractive optical element to change the position, shape, and area of the illumination area, then the illumination pattern can be varied, but the design of the diffractive optical element becomes difficult and the optical system configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static pre-recorded diffraction patterns with a dynamic light scanning mechanism. Instead of recording multiple diffraction patterns in advance, the system uses a single diffraction pattern and dynamically changes the illumination area by scanning the light source across the diffractive optical element. This allows the illumination position, shape, and area to be varied in real-time through controlled light scanning, thereby achieving pattern variability without complicating the optical system configuration or diffractive element design.
2Manufacturing precision
If a highly coherent light source such as a laser is used to form clear illumination patterns, then any illumination pattern can be clearly displayed, but blurring occurs in the contour of the illumination area when the form of presentation is changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by dynamically changing the light incident angle through scanning rather than relying on multiple static diffraction patterns. The highly coherent light source maintains clear illumination patterns, while the dynamic scanning mechanism changes the presentation form by varying the incident angle to different regions of the diffractive optical element. This approach preserves pattern clarity while enabling flexible presentation form changes without contour blurring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the light incident angle as a key parameter to achieve different illumination patterns. Instead of changing the diffraction pattern structure itself, the system maintains a fixed diffraction pattern and changes the incident light parameters (angle and position) through scanning. This parameter change approach allows clear patterns to be maintained while achieving versatile presentation forms.
3Length of stationary object
If the angle between the optical axis of the illumination light and the illumination target surface is reduced to illuminate distant positions, then the illumination area can be projected to considerable distances, but the pattern of characters or figures becomes unclear
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the incident angle parameter to compensate for the reduced angle at distant positions. When illuminating distant surfaces where the optical axis angle is naturally reduced, the scanning mechanism adjusts the incident angle to optimal values, ensuring that the diffraction pattern remains clear and recognizable. This parameter adjustment maintains pattern clarity regardless of illumination distance.
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 enables the formation of clear and variable illumination patterns on distant surfaces with reduced blurring, improving visibility and information transmission to drivers and pedestrians while maintaining a simple device configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a shaping optical system configured to shape the divergent light into the parallel light
Implementation Method 2
a diffractive optical element configured to diffract the parallel light and form an illumination area by the diffracted light
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~4
Figure 5(a)~5(c)
AI summary
With a simple configuration, a clear illumination area with suppressed blurring is formed, and a form such as position, shape, and size thereof is changed. Divergent light (L110) from a point light source (110) is shaped by a collimating optical system (120) and emitted to a hologram element (130). Since the point light source (110) is arranged at a front focal position of the collimating, optical system (120), the light (L120) emitted from the collimating optical system (120) is emitted to the hologram element (130) as parallel light, and diffracted light (L130) therefrom forms an illumination area (150) at a predetermined position on an illumination target surface. A light scanning part (140) rotating about a predetermined rotation axis (r) is arranged between the point light source (110) and the collimating optical system (120), and light (L140) incident on the collimating optical system (120) is scanned. By this scanning, an incident angle of the parallel light (L120) incident on the hologram element (130) changes, and a form of the illumination area (150) changes.