Vehicle Light Module with Curved Optical Element for Brightness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Laser beam scanning using MEMS mirrors results in deteriorated brightness in the central portion of headlamps compared to the edge portion, leading to reduced luminance efficiency due to overlapping laser beams.
Innovation Solution
A light module with a Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) mirror and an optical system having a continuously curved shape to condense light at the center and diffuse it at the sides, ensuring higher brightness at the central portion during beam scanning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If laser beam scanning is performed using a MEMS mirror, then the device size is reduced and power consumption is lowered, but the brightness of the central portion deteriorates compared to the edge portion due to overlapping laser beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different optical paths for different regions of the light distribution. The optical element is designed to refract light differently depending on its position: the central region undergoes condensation to increase brightness, while the outer regions undergo spreading to reduce overlapping effects. This spatially varying optical treatment resolves the contradiction by making each region's optical path tailored to its specific brightness requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is segmented into different functional zones: a central condenser lens portion and outer diffuser lens portions. This segmentation allows independent optimization of light control for different regions, enabling the central portion to receive concentrated light while outer portions receive diffused light, thereby solving the brightness uniformity issue while maintaining MEMS mirror benefits.
2Ease of operation
If the MEMS mirror vibrates in the left-and-right direction for beam scanning, then the scanning function is achieved, but laser beams overlap in the edge portion causing deterioration in central portion brightness
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element acts as an intermediary between the MEMS mirror and the final light distribution. It receives the scanned light from the MEMS mirror and applies region-specific refraction: condensing central light rays to increase central brightness, and spreading outer light rays to reduce edge overlapping. This intermediary optical element decouples the scanning function from the brightness distribution control, allowing both objectives to be achieved simultaneously.
3Area of stationary object
If light is uniformly distributed during beam scanning, then the scanning coverage is maximized, but the central portion brightness decreases due to the scanning pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters (refraction angle, focal length) of the optical element based on the spatial position of incoming light. The condenser lens portion has different optical parameters than the diffuser lens portions, creating a non-uniform light distribution that compensates for the scanning-induced brightness loss. This parameter variation across the optical element enables simultaneous achievement of wide scanning coverage and high central brightness.
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 luminance efficiency by maintaining higher brightness at the central portion of the headlamp without separate electronic control, improving overall light distribution and intensity.
Implementation Method 1
an optical element having a continuously curved shape in a left-and-right direction for light introduced into a center of the optical element to be condensed and moved and light introduced into a side of the optical element to be diffused and moved
Data Source
AI summary
A light module for a vehicle may include a light source generating light, a variable mirror generating an image depending on the light by reflecting the light generated by the light source, and an optical receiving the light reflected by the variable mirror, the optical having a continuously curved shape in a left-and-right direction for light introduced into a center of the optical to be condensed and moved and light introduced into a side of the optical to be diffused and moved.