Vehicle Lighting Assembly Modular Beam Superposition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lighting systems for motor vehicles, particularly headlamps, face challenges in implementing a 'Motorway' or 'Highway' AFS function that meets regulatory standards while ensuring ease of implementation and safety, as simple superimposition of beams often results in offset intersections and glare points, compromising comfort and performance.
Innovation Solution
A lighting device comprising multiple optical modules, where a first module generates a beam with an oblique cut-off that can be reoriented and combined with a second module emitting a beam with a flat cut-off, allowing for a 'Motorway' type beam by shifting and superimposing the beams to align cut-offs on or near the vehicle's vertical axis, enhancing visibility and comfort without creating glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a multi-function optical module with a movable cover is used to generate different beam types, then the device complexity is reduced and compactness is improved, but the manufacturing precision and tracking precision requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the optical system into separate modules: a first optical module for generating the base beam and a second optical module for generating the complementary beam. This segmentation eliminates the need for a movable cover while achieving the same functional result of creating different beam types through modular combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The first optical module is designed to be multi-functional, capable of generating both the base beam independently and serving as part of the superimposed beam system when combined with the second module. This universal design reduces the need for multiple specialized components.
2Ease of manufacture
If beams from two optical modules are simply superimposed to create a Motorway beam, then the implementation is simplified, but the beam alignment precision deteriorates resulting in offset intersections and glare points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical characteristics to different regions: the first optical module provides the base beam with specific cut-off characteristics, while the second optical module provides a complementary beam with a flat cut-off. By optimizing the local quality of each module's beam output, the superimposed Motorway beam achieves proper alignment without requiring extreme precision in the superimposition process itself.
3Ease of manufacture
If the cut-off intersection point is positioned away from the vehicle's vertical axis to simplify module design, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the harmful factors increase due to glare points and reduced driver comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The second optical module acts as an intermediary that provides a complementary beam with a flat cut-off. This intermediary beam fills in the gaps and smooths the transition between the first module's oblique cut-off and the desired Motorway beam pattern, enabling the cut-off intersection to be positioned correctly on or near the vehicle's vertical axis without creating glare points.
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 provides a 'Motorway' beam that complies with European regulations, offering improved comfort and performance by aligning cut-offs on the vertical axis, allowing for adaptable use in both right-hand and left-hand drive vehicles, with the additional module enhancing visibility without significant industrial tolerancing issues.
Implementation Method 1
shifting of the beam emitted by the first optical module in at least one direction, superimposition of the shifted beam with the beam emitted by the second optical module
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~9
AI summary
The lighting system has two modules (M1, M2), the first producing an oblique beam, and the second a flat beam. The beam from the first module can be dipped by means of a twin-filament (S1) bulb or a moving reflector (R1), and the beams from the two modules can be combined to provide additional lighting for motorway use. The system can also be arranged to provide lighting for driving on the left-hand side of the road.