IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,150,552
Granted Patent B2
US 7,150,552 · App. 10/176,181 · Granted Dec 19, 2006

Vehicle headlight

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,150,552
App. No.
10/176,181
Granted
Dec 19, 2006
Kind
B2
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 (14)

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.