Reflectors only modules for AFS functions using LEDs

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Reflectors only modules for AFS functions using LEDs

Albou, Pierre / Sanchez, Vanesa

When one considers designing full AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) headlamps today he may use either Xenon projector modules with electromechanical devices able to change the beam's shape or 'standard' dynamic bending light projector systems with additional modules for motorway, adverse weather or town lighting. For the time being, regulation only allows using bulbs for this purpose, but LEDs will soon be a better choice: several cars with AFS headlamps using Xenon projectors and LED modules with thick plastic lenses have already been publicly shown. In this paper, reflectors only solutions for LEDs are described providing the same benefits, an alternative styling, different integration options, and a significantly greater ease of manufacture. With full LEDs headlamps in view using only mirrors, these modules will allow AFS implementations with a fully coherent styling. Combining a xenon dynamic bending light module with additional systems using LEDs and mirrors (rather than lenses) is a short term opportunity to create high performances AFS headlamps providing functions beyond the already well accepted bends lighting, without adding too much to the global headlamp's complexity (especially for what concerns the manufacturing of the optical parts) and with new styling and integration options only possible with LEDs. Added cost can be minimized by favoring solutions where several if not all of the LEDs are located on the same planar circuit board. Moreover, the modules developed for XLED applications are immediately available for full LEDs headlamps AFS functions implementation (and in some cases also for main beams construction).