AUTOMOTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM AND ADAPTIVE AUTOMOTIVE HEADLIGHT SYSTEM WITH INSTANT CONTROL AND COMPENSATION

• US 20100208478A1
• Filed: 02/18/2009
• Published: 08/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology
• Original Assignee: National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology
• Inventors: Chen, Yi-Liang, Lai, Wei-Chi, Fang, Yi-Chin, Sun, Jung-Hung, Wu, Kuo-Ying
• Granted Patent: US 8,033,697 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/466
• 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 2300/112 Vehicle speed
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/12 Steering parameters
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/122 Steering angle
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/314 Ambient light
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2300/40 Indexing codes relating to other road users or special conditions
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/255 Lenses with a front view of circular or truncated circular outline
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 41/675 by moving reflectors

Abstract

An automotive headlight system and an adaptive automotive headlight system with instant compensation control are provided. The automotive headlight system includes a light source, a total internal reflection prism, a digital reflecting element, a freeform lens, and a multi-curve-reflector. The total internal reflection prism is used for redirecting and reflecting light beams from the light source. The digital reflecting element is controlled to switch to a plurality of states with regard to reflected light beams from the total internal reflection prism then compensation patterns will be promptly given during different states. The freeform lens is used for controlling directions of the light beams from the digital reflecting element. The multi-curve-reflector has a plurality of radii of curvature for reflecting the light beams from the freeform lens. As the automotive headlight system merely uses optical refractive and reflecting elements so that the number of components and cost is greatly reduced as compared with the prior art. Furthermore, the most important is that this invention proposes a new design and instant and personalized compensation solution to reduce more driver'"'"'s risks.

Claims

1. An adaptive automotive headlight system, comprising:

an image capture apparatus, for capturing visual data of a user;

a data processing apparatus, electrically connected to the image capture apparatus, for receiving and processing the visual data;

a light source, for generating light beams;

a total internal reflection prism, for redirecting and totally reflecting the light beams from the light source;

a digital reflecting element, electrically connected to the data processing apparatus, and controlled by the data processing apparatus to switch to a plurality of states so as to reflect the light beams from the total internal reflection prism into different directions and patterns during different states;

a freeform lens, for controlling directions of the light beams from the digital reflecting element; and

a multi-curve-reflector, having a plurality of radii of curvature, for reflecting the light beams from the freeform lens.

2. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, where in the image capture apparatus comprises at least one charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor.

3. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the visual data comprises a height of eyes of the user, a size of pupils of the eyes of the user, and horizontal positions of the eyes of the user.

4. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 3, wherein the visual data is recorded in a user'"'"'s license or the data processing apparatus.

5. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the user is located in a vehicle, the adaptive automotive headlight system further comprises a first sensing apparatus and a second sensing apparatus both electrically connected to the data processing apparatus, the first sensing apparatus senses brightness outside the vehicle and transmits the brightness to the data processing apparatus, and the second sensing apparatus senses a speed and a turning radius of the vehicle and transmits the speed and the turning radius to the data processing apparatus.

6. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus is a computer.

7. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the data processing apparatus is used for simulating an optimal visual effect of the user and controlling the digital reflecting element according to the optimal visual effect of the user.

8. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, further comprising a convergent mirror, a convergent lens set and a relay lens, wherein the convergent mirror surrounds the light source and is used for reflecting the light beams from the light source, such that the light beams are emitted in parallel, the convergent lens set is located between the convergent mirror and the total internal reflection prism and is used for converging the light beams from the convergent mirror, and the relay lens is used for relaying directions of the light beams from the digital reflecting element.

9. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 8, wherein the convergent mirror is a parabolic mirror with a focal point, and the light source is located at the focal point.

10. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 8, wherein the convergent lens set comprises a concave lens, a first convex lens, and a second convex lens in subsequence.

11. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, further comprising a collimator optics covering the light source.

12. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the digital reflecting element is a digital micromirror device (DMD), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel, or a complementary liquid crystal device.

13. The adaptive automotive headlight system according to claim 1, wherein the multi-curve-reflector has a first portion and a second portion, and an angle is formed between the first portion and the second portion.

14. An automotive headlight system, comprising:

a light source, for generating light beams;

a total internal reflection prism, for redirecting and totally reflecting the light beams from the light source;

a digital reflecting element, controlled to switch to a plurality of states so as to reflect the light beams from the total internal reflection prism into different directions and patterns during different states;

a freeform lens, for controlling directions of the light beams from the digital reflecting element; and

a multi-curve-reflector, having a plurality of radii of curvature, for reflecting the light beams from the freeform lens.

15. The automotive headlight system according to claim 14, further comprising a convergent mirror, a convergent lens set and a relay lens, wherein the convergent mirror surrounds the light source and is used for reflecting the light beams from the light source such that the light beams are emitted in parallel, the convergent lens set is located between the convergent mirror and the total internal reflection prism and is used for converging light beams from the convergent mirror, and the relay lens is used for relaying directions of the light beams from the digital reflecting element.

16. The automotive headlight system according to claim 15, wherein the convergent mirror is a parabolic mirror with a focal point, and the light source is located at the focal point.

17. The automotive headlight system according to claim 15, wherein the convergent lens set comprises a concave lens, a first convex lens, and a second convex lens in subsequence.

18. The automotive headlight system according to claim 14, further comprising a collimator optics covering the light source.

19. The automotive headlight system according to claim 14, wherein the digital reflecting element is a digital micromirror device (DMD), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) panel, or a complementary liquid crystal device.

20. The automotive headlight system according to claim 14, wherein the multi-curve-reflector has a first portion and a second portion, and an angle is formed between the first portion and the second portion.