VEHICLE HEADLIGHT
A headlight assembly for a motor vehicle includes a light source and a plurality of optical elements disposed along an optical path with the light source. Each optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes a plurality of transmission-enhancing features disposed on a surface thereof. The plurality of transmission-enhancing features are configured to increase light transmission through the associated optical element and to decrease reflection therefrom.
1 . A headlight assembly for a motor vehicle, comprising:
a light source; and
a plurality of optical elements disposed along an optical path with the light source,
wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements includes a plurality of transmission-enhancing features disposed on a surface thereof and configured to increase light transmission therethrough and to decrease reflection therefrom.
2 . The headlight assembly of claim 1 , wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements defines an input surface for receiving light from the light source, and an output surface for emitting light therefrom, and wherein the plurality of transmission-enhancing features are disposed on each of the input surface and the output surface.
3 . The headlight assembly of claim 1 , wherein each optical element of the plurality of optical elements defines a surface, and wherein the plurality of transmission-enhancing features are disposed on the surface.
4 . The headlight assembly of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of transmission-enhancing features include nanostructures formed on the surface of the optical element.
5 . The headlight assembly of claim 4 , wherein the nanostructures define a regular pattern with a same distance between corresponding parts of adjacent ones of the nanostructures.
6 . The headlight assembly of claim 4 , wherein the nanostructures define an irregular pattern with different distances between corresponding parts of adjacent ones of the nanostructures.
7 . The headlight assembly of claim 4 , wherein at least some of the nanostructures contact adjacent ones of the nanostructures where they each meet the surface.
8 . The headlight assembly of claim 4 , wherein the nanostructures each have a same height in a direction perpendicular to the surface.
9 . The headlight assembly of claim 4 , wherein the nanostructures each have a refractive index that varies with a height perpendicular to the surface.
10 . The headlight assembly of claim 4 , wherein the nanostructures each have a refractive index that varies along a direction parallel to the surface.
11 . The headlight assembly of claim 10 , wherein the refractive index of each of the nanostructures varies proportional to distance along the direction parallel to the surface.
12 . The headlight assembly of claim 1 , further including a film of material disposed on the surface of each optical element, and wherein the film includes the plurality of transmission-enhancing features.
13 . The headlight assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of transmission-enhancing features are integrally formed with each optical element.
14 . The headlight assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of optical elements includes a plurality of lenses each configured to focus and direct light from the light source.
15 . The headlight assembly of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of optical elements further includes a lens cover overlying the plurality of lenses, wherein the lens cover is configured to pass light therethrough without distortion, and wherein the lens cover includes another plurality of transmission-enhancing features configured to increase light transmission through the lens cover and to decrease reflection therefrom.
16 . The headlight assembly of claim 1 , wherein the headlight assembly does not include a heat sink.