Vehicle Lighting Device With Multi-Zone Optical Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current lighting and signaling devices for vehicles require multiple modules to achieve various lighting functions, which is cumbersome and inefficient, especially with the evolving regulations such as the European Community's ECE regulation R87 for daytime running lights, necessitating the implementation of multiple powerful signaling lights during daytime traffic.
Innovation Solution
A lighting and signaling device with a single optical element featuring two zones, allowing for different beam spreading, where one zone focuses light more intensely on the axis and the other spreads vertically, enabling the production of multiple beams with varying intensities, such as an additional main beam, DRL, and town lamp beams, without the need for multiple modules.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple modules are used to achieve various lighting functions, then the lighting functions can be fulfilled according to regulations, but the device complexity increases and the system becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a single lighting module that can perform multiple lighting functions (main beam, dipped beam, fog light, DRL, town lamp) by using a single light source with variable intensity and an optical element with multiple zones. Each zone produces a different beam spreading pattern, allowing the module to adapt to various lighting requirements without needing separate modules for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control of the light source intensity and selective activation of different zones in the optical element to adapt the beam characteristics according to the required lighting function. The system can dynamically switch between concentrated and spread beam patterns by controlling which zones are active and at what intensity levels, enabling one module to replace multiple fixed-function modules.
2Reliability
If multiple powerful signaling lights are implemented for daytime running lights according to ECE regulation R87, then the regulatory requirements are met, but the device complexity and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The single lighting module with multiple zones can fulfill DRL requirements by activating appropriate zones at the required intensity levels, eliminating the need for separate DRL modules. The optical element's multiple zones provide the necessary beam spreading patterns to meet ECE R87 regulations while maintaining a compact single-module design.
3Illumination intensity
If the beam is concentrated on the optical axis, then the illumination intensity increases, but the vertical diffusion is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The optical element is divided into multiple zones, each with different optical properties. The first zone is designed to concentrate light on the optical axis for high illumination intensity, while the second zone is designed to spread light vertically for wider diffusion. By selectively activating different zones, the system can locally optimize the beam characteristics according to the specific lighting function required.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical element is segmented into distinct zones that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows the system to produce different beam patterns by activating specific zones, enabling both concentrated and spread beam modes from a single module, thus resolving the contradiction between intensity and diffusion.
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
This solution allows for a compact and efficient delivery of multiple lighting functions by adjusting light intensity and beam spread, meeting regulatory requirements while reducing the complexity of multiple modules, thus optimizing vehicle lighting systems.
Implementation Method 1
a reflector configured to form a luminous flux reflected from the primary luminous flux
Implementation Method 2
an element optic comprising an input diopter and an output diopter, the optical element being configured to allow the emission of an output light beam by the output diopter upon reception by the input diopter of the reflected light flux
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention provides a lighting and/or signalling device for motor vehicles, comprising at least one light source (4) configured to emit a primary light stream, a reflector (2) configured to form a reflected light stream from the primary light stream and an optical element comprising an input dioptre (8) and an output dioptre (9), the optical element being configured to allow an output light beam to be emitted by the output dioptre (9) when the input dioptre (8) receives the reflected light stream, characterised in that the optical element comprises first and second zones, the first zone and the second zone being configured to produce a different spread of the output beam. One preferred application is the field of lighting equipment for motor vehicles.