Abstract
Keywords
AFS, Xenon, LED, Dynamic-Brake-Signal, Modular-Concept
Abstract
The standard vehicle lighting is in the process of being replaced by more intelligent lighting systems which automatically adapt itself to ambient conditions like weather or the traffic situation.
For front lighting AFS (Adaptive Front Lighting System) has started as an EUREKA project and will finally lead to a new worldwide standard for low beam front lighting.
The full extent of these new regulations is expected for 2006 or 2007 but already part of this concept has been introduced into vehicle serial production. This is the bend lighting or curve light which has been realised both in a static and dynamic way. Hella together with Audi, Mercedes and GM/Opel has been the first to show serial applications of static, dynamic and combined bend lighting.
The realisation of these features had been executed in a modular way allowing the integration of these technologies into existing headlamps. This modular concept will also be used for the future full AFS application with a projector module capable of producing up to 5 light distributions out of one light source, which also takes care of the right / left traffic switch-over.
This modular concept allows both the use of Xenon (HID) light sources and also of Halogen bulbs which provide the static and dynamic bend lighting with lower costs compared to Xenon and never-the- less show the advantages of bend lighting.
Following the mechatronic concept will be future AFS realisations in solid state technologies, especially using LED arrays but also digital mirror devices which can provide a flexible light distribution.
Hella together with Audi has already put a first headlamp using white high power LEDs into serial production and a road map for LED applications has been defined.
At the rear of the vehicle intelligent signal lighting can improve the recognition and safety dramatically. As a first step Hella together with BMW has introduced a dynamic brake signal which indicates a higher amount of deceleration by increasing the illuminated area of the brake light.
In a Hella project called ASIGNIS the next steps will adapt the signal lights to the viewing distance, soiling of rear lamps and may also provide special emergency signals.