Vehicle Light Module Laser Safety via Photoluminescent Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle headlights with laser light sources face challenges in preventing the escape of potentially dangerous laser light, which poses a safety risk to other road users, and require complex safety devices to mitigate this issue.
Innovation Solution
A compact light module design incorporating a laser light source, a primary optics device, and a one-piece secondary optics device with a light-guiding body that includes a reflective layer to redirect and absorb ultraviolet laser light, preventing its escape while generating white light for illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a laser light source is used in vehicle headlights to achieve long beam distance and high illuminance, then beam distance and illuminance are improved, but the risk of dangerous laser light escaping increases
Solution Approach 1:
A photoluminescent element is introduced as an intermediary between the laser light source and the environment. This element converts dangerous concentrated laser light into safe diffuse white light through photoluminescence, while a light guide with reflective layers manages the light transformation process. The intermediary transforms the harmful laser radiation into useful illumination without direct laser light escape.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful escaped laser light into beneficial white light through the photoluminescent conversion process. The light guide's reflective layers ensure that even light attempting to escape is redirected back through the photoluminescent element, transforming harmful radiation into useful illumination that enhances safety while maintaining lighting performance.
2Reliability
If active and passive safety devices are added to prevent laser light escape, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding complex active safety devices to prevent laser escape, the patent converts the potentially harmful laser light into safe white light through photoluminescence. The light guide structure with its reflective layers passively manages light distribution, transforming the safety problem into a lighting advantage without requiring additional active safety components.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide serves multiple functions simultaneously: it distributes white light for illumination, redirects potentially escaping laser light back through the photoluminescent element, and structures the beam pattern. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate safety devices, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining safety.
3Volume of moving object
If a compact light module design is implemented, then geometric dimensions are reduced, but the arrangement of optical components becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple optical functions into a single integrated light guide component. The light guide combines light distribution, laser light redirection, and beam patterning functions in one piece, eliminating the need for separate mounting elements and complex arrangements of multiple optical components. This integration achieves compact dimensions while simplifying the overall optical system.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide performs multiple optical functions simultaneously: distributing white light, redirecting laser light through total internal reflection, and shaping the beam pattern. This multi-functionality in a single component enables compact headlight design without requiring complex arrangements of separate optical elements.
4Temperature
If the photoluminescent element is positioned outside the light guide for better cooling, then cooling efficiency is improved, but the beam path length increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide acts as an intermediary that bridges the photoluminescent element and the final light output. By positioning the photoluminescent element outside the light guide for optimal cooling, the light guide's reflective layers and light coupling sections efficiently transfer light over the necessary distance without significant loss, maintaining beam quality while enabling thermal management.
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 effectively reduces the risk of dangerous laser light emission, enhances safety, and allows for a more compact headlight design by utilizing the reflective and absorptive properties of the light-guiding body to ensure that laser light is either reflected back or absorbed, thereby improving operational safety and reducing the need for additional safety devices.
Implementation Method 1
a photoluminescent element is arranged such that the primary beam strikes the photoluminescent element, and a secondary beam comprising white light, which may contain laser light, is generated from the incident primary beam
Implementation Method 2
the light guide comprises a light coupling section, which includes at least a partial reflective layer to allow at least a first part of the secondary light beam to enter the light guide via the light coupling section and to reflect a second part of the secondary light beam, as well as unconverted primary radiation, back onto the photoluminescent element
Implementation Method 3
The light guide comprises a reflector section to redirect light entering the light guide through the light coupling section to the light output section
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a
Figure 2b~3
AI summary
A light module (105) for a motor vehicle lighting system for emitting a light distribution (32) is described. A light guide (10) of a secondary optics system (8) comprises a light coupling section (12) arranged and configured such that at least a portion of a secondary light beam (22) enters the light guide (10) via the light coupling section (12), a light output section (14) arranged and configured to emit the light distribution (32), and a reflector section (16) arranged and configured such that light from the light entering the light guide (10) through the light coupling section (12) can be deflected to the light output section (14) via the reflector section (16).