Vehicle Lamp Beam Limiter Reflects Light to Boost Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle lamps have limited efficiency and are bulky and expensive due to the need for multiple reflector/lamp combinations and rotatable parts to achieve adaptive frontlighting systems, which are not compliant with regulatory requirements for varying lighting conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lamp with a solid-state light source, a collimating reflector, an adjustable beam limiter, and a controllable optical device using an electrowetting element or anisotropic liquid crystal device, allowing for precise adjustment of the light beam to improve efficiency and comply with adaptive frontlighting system regulations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple reflector/lamp combinations and rotatable lamp-reflector combinations are used to create different beam settings, then adaptability to different lighting conditions is improved, but device complexity and bulkiness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable beam limiter that can be dynamically adjusted to different positions to create various beam patterns (dipped beam, full beam, fog lamp). This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows a single static reflector/lamp combination to produce multiple beam settings, eliminating the need for multiple physical reflector/lamp assemblies and rotatable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The single reflector/lamp combination is designed to perform multiple functions by combining it with an adjustable beam limiter. The same optical assembly can produce dipped beams, full beams, and fog lamp patterns depending on the beam limiter position, making the system universal and multi-functional rather than requiring separate dedicated assemblies for each beam type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If LCD matrices or pivotable shading members are used to control light absorption, then beam shaping capability is improved, but light efficiency deteriorates due to absorption losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces absorptive beam control mechanisms (LCD matrices, shading members) with a reflective beam control mechanism. Instead of absorbing unwanted light, the beam limiter reflects it back into the beam path, substituting a mechanical reflection-based system for the previous optical absorption-based system, thereby eliminating energy loss through absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts what would normally be wasted or harmful reflected light into a beneficial resource by directing it back into the main beam path. The beam limiter reflects light that would otherwise be lost or absorbed, converting this potentially harmful stray light into useful illumination, thereby improving overall light efficiency while maintaining beam shaping capability.
3Loss of energy
If a movable beam limiter is used to reflect light back into the beam, then light efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam limiter function with the existing reflector structure. The beam limiter is integrated into the optical path in a way that combines its beam-shaping function with the reflector's existing role, creating a unified optical assembly rather than adding a completely separate complex mechanism. This merging approach achieves improved light efficiency while minimizing the increase in overall device complexity.
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 light beam efficiency, reduces bulkiness, and allows for multiple lighting functionalities in a single lamp, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements while minimizing the need for multiple lamps, and enables quick and precise adjustments to maintain optimal beam alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the controllable optical device comprises an electrowetting element or an anisotropic liquid crystal device
Implementation Method 2
the controllable optical device comprises an electrowetting element or an anisotropic liquid crystal device
Implementation Method 3
the adjustable beam limiter comprises a movable reflector, that is movable with respect to the collimating reflector and is positioned to reflect light from the light source into the light beam towards the projection lens
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a lamp with adjustable beam cut-off, useful for e.g. vehicle headlamps. The lamp comprises a solid-state light source 1 and a reflector 2, as well as a movable beam limiter 3. To adjust the cut-off, the beam limiter 3 may be moved by an actuator 4. An advantage is that the beam limiter 3 reflects incident light into the emitted beam instead of absorbing it, which increases efficiency. Furthermore, because the reflector 2 and also the beam limiter 3 may be positioned very close to the light source, which may be a LED or a laser diode, they may be flat and very small. Both circumstances ensure that the beam cut-off may be adjusted very quickly.