Mitsubishi Electric has announced that it has developed a 'compact and highly luminous optical module for LED headlights using a unique system that simply combines a converging lens and projecting lens for more efficient LED headlights'.
It says that even though the new system measures only 20 millimeters high it achieves 180 percent luminous efficiency, which is equivalent to larger 40 millimeters to 60 millimeters projecting lenses. The company claims optimal light-distribution control and design flexibility enhance driving safety and ease while lowering energy consumption, 'making the module an ideal solution for next-generation smart mobility'.
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The new technology will be exhibited at the Mitsubishi Electric booth during CES Asia 2018 in Shanghai, China from June 13 to 15.
Headlight optical systems collect light projected from an LED light source to form a light beam with a cut-off line for the low beam. Conventional systems use reflectors with coated mirrors that are prone to reflection loss, low efficiency and take up space due to their large size. Mitsubishi Electric, aiming to enhance night-driving safety by achieving superior visibility for the driver and the elimination of glare for other vehicles and pedestrians, says it has developed an optical module for LED headlights that is compact, highly luminous-efficient, equipped with advanced and precise beam-control functions, and offers design flexibility.
Features
- Direct projection for compactness and high luminous efficiency
- Optical system for LED light source convergence and projection.
- Compact 20mm high design incorporates no mirror.
- ME claims 180% luminous efficacy equivalent to that of larger 40mm–60mm projectors.
- Compactness and high luminous efficacy achieve design flexibility, resulting in diverse thin-, multiple– and single–light options for motorcycles and automobiles.
The optical system incorporates only two key components – a converging lens and a projection lens. The converging lens, which suppresses diffusion and forms a beam shape with no reflection loss, sends LED light to the projection lens, where the light strikes a reflective non-vacuum metalising surface. The light is projected forward in parallel, resulting in high luminous efficiency.
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By GlobalDataObstacles that are not illuminated by low-beam headlights pose a challenge, so Mitsubishi Electric developed a function that projects a spot beam on obstacles detected by a sensor, enabling early identification of pedestrians, etc. for safer night-time driving, it is claimed.
Also, a human-system interface allows the light's colour temperature to be adjusted according to the driver's needs, thereby improving night visibility for each driver. In addition, the LED lighting control includes an ADB for passive high-beam driving to secure superior visibility.
