Vehicle headlight

• US 7,150,552 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2002
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Daimler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Original Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG (Mercedes-Benz Group AG)
• Inventors: Weidel, Edgar
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Guiyoung
• Application Number:
  US10/176,181
• Publication Number:
  US 20020196639A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,643 Days
• Field of Search: 362/521, 362/268, 362/545, 362/331, 362/800, 362/555, 362/464, 362/553, 362/544, 362/276
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/085 due to special conditions, e.g. adverse weather, type of road, badly illuminated road signs or potential dangers B60Q1/10, B60Q1/12, B60Q1/1423 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/10 due to vehicle inclination, e.g. due to load distribution
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/14 having dimming means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/054 Variable non-standard intensity, i.e. emission of various beam intensities different from standard intensities, e.g. continuous or stepped transitions of intensity
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/132 Pitch
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/136 Roll
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/13 Ultraviolet light; Infrared light
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/143 the main emission direction of the LED being parallel to the optical axis of the illuminating device
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/151 arranged in one or more lines
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/275 Lens surfaces, e.g. coatings or surface structures
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/28 Cover glass
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/663 by switching light sources by switching incandescent light sources F21S41/162
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 5/002 using microoptical elements for redirecting or diffusing light
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2105/10 comprising a two-dimensional array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/30 Semiconductor lasers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

The invention concerns a vehicle headlight, comprising a two-dimensional array (2) of a plurality of electronic light emitter elements (4), which are arranged for emitting a plurality of parallel light beams (6), a collection lens (8), which is provided one focal length away essentially parallel to the two-dimensional array and positioned for receiving the light emitted by the array, and a control electronic for the light emitter elements operatively associated for energizing the light emitter elements (4) individually or in groups. This results in a headlight with variable light emission characteristics, which is mechanically particularly simple to construct, is operationally reliable, and is rapid to react.

Claims

1. A dynamic adjustable vehicle headlight, comprising:

(a) a two-dimensional array (2) of a plurality of electronic light emitter elements (4) selected from the group consisting of surface emitting lasers and tightly packed individual LEDs, which are arranged for emitting a plurality of parallel light beams (6),

(b) a collection lens (8), provided one focal length away and essentially parallel to the two-dimensional array and positioned for receiving the light emitted by the array, and

(c) a control electronic (3) for the light emitter elements operatively associated for energizing the light emitter elements (4) in groups.

2. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the light emitters (4) emit infrared light.

3. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the light emitters (4) emit visible light.

4. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the light emitters (4) are laser diodes.

5. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the light emitters (4) are LEDs.

6. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein a diffuser (10) is positioned in the path of the light beams (6) of one or more of the light emitters (4).

7. The vehicle headlight according to claim 6, wherein the light diffuser (10) is positioned in close proximity to the collection lens (8).

8. The vehicle headlight according to claim 6, wherein the light diffuser (10) is integrated in the collection lens (8).

9. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the control electronics is designed for selectively energizing light elements (4) in response to data received from sensors (5) regarding the traffic or environmental conditions.

10. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the control electronics is designed to produce in some or all of the light emitters (4) light intensities, which is enhanced or reduced than the normal light intensity of the light emitters.

11. The vehicle headlight according to claim 1, wherein the headlight is a front headlight.