The front optics of a car are capable of changing, although not all of its appearance, but by at least 40%. Let's talk about the principle of operation and the device of matrix headlights.
The content of the article:
- Low and high beam modules
- Optics structure
- Lighting functions
The leading position in the field of optics is held by Audi. Starting in 2013, Audi began to install matrix optics or better known as Matrix LED headlights on the updated A8 model. According to the company's engineers, they raise the level of safety and facilitate driving.
Initially, the basis for matrix optics was laid by Opel under the name Matrix Beam. Compared to conventional optics, matrix headlights are much more complex. It consists of a low beam and a high beam module, daytime running lights, side lights and a cornering unit are also available. The design solution has an air duct with a fan for cooling mechanisms and a control unit for each headlight.
Matrix Optics High and Low Beam Modules
Despite the complexity of the technology, matrix headlights contain a high and low beam module. Each block is unique in its own way, both in structure and in management. The Matrix High Beam Set consists of 25 LEDs, grouped by five. Together they form the high beam matrix. Each five-LED matrix headlight unit has its own separate radiator and reflector. Thanks to this engineering solution, with the help of matrices, about a billion different combinations of light distribution are realized.
As for the low beam module, it is located under the high beam. It includes 15 LEDs. There are also five LEDs per block, but weaker in power. At the very bottom of the optics are daytime running lights, dimensions and direction indicator LEDs. In total, such a block of matrix headlights can count 30 consecutive LEDs.
How the matrix headlight works
From the induced information, it can be seen that the matrix headlight is based on LEDs and no other lighting fixtures. Indeed, such a structure will give out much more light than previously known types of optics.
For a better look, the elements of the matrix optics were emphasized with a design frame in a modern style. All parts of the optics, including the control unit and forced ventilation, are placed in a plastic case, which is also the base and protects from external factors. The front part of the matrix headlight is covered by a transparent lens.
If the car has a navigation system, then the control unit of the matrix headlights will use data from the route, the nature of driving the car, the relief of the road and terrain, as well as take into account the passage through settlements. The main role in the matrix headlights is played by the control unit. It processes the information received from the input devices and, depending on the received data, turns on or off a certain row of LEDs. An innovation is that the matrix optics do not use rotary mechanisms, as was the case with xenon headlights. All functions are performed thanks to static LEDs and matrix headlights electronics.
A variety of lighting functions in matrix optics
The more complex the design of optics is, the more functions it can perform. There are nine types of lighting functions in matrix optics:
- constant high beam;
- highway lighting;
- near lighting;
- adaptive lighting;
- lighting at intersections;
- lighting in any weather;
- highlighting of pedestrians;
- adaptive dynamic lighting;
- dynamic direction indicator.
The list is not small, as we can see, we will consider each item separately, how the lighting principle works.
Polysegmental high beam
Highway traffic light based on the information received from the navigation system. The adaptive system narrows the high-beam cone of the matrix headlights in such a way as to direct forward as much as possible and make it more convenient for other drivers.
Near lighting has a traditional shape, the middle part of the road is less illuminated, but the side part and the shoulder are more. In this case, the matrix optics are directed downward, depending on the relief of the road and the settlement.
Adaptive light aims to provide better illumination of the machine from the front and side during the turning maneuver. In this case, the matrix headlight system in each of the headlights uses three LEDs that turn on or off when the steering wheel is turned or when corners are taken.
Intersection lighting designed to illuminate intersections when approaching them. In this case, for the matrix headlights, the navigation system is also involved, on the basis of the information of which the intersection is determined.
All weather lighting from the name itself says that when driving in bad weather conditions (fog, rain, snow), the quality of lighting will change. The control unit adjust the LEDs of the matrix optics in such a way as to avoid dazzle from its own headlights. The intensity of the matrix headlamp LEDs will vary depending on visibility.
Pedestrian lighting in matrix headlights it is implemented at a high level. If a pedestrian is detected by a camera and a night vision system, on the side of the road or dangerously close to it, the optics will signal this with a high beam three times. Thus, warn both the driver and the pedestrian.
Dynamic adaptive lighting this is the penultimate option in matrix headlights. The essence of his work is aimed at lighting the road during a turn. By turning the steering wheel, the brightness of the light beam is redirected from the center to the direction of the bend. That is, one part of the LEDs becomes dimmer, the other brighter.
Dynamic direction indicator Matrix headlights are designed for controlled movement of LEDs in the direction of rotation. Thus, 30 consecutive optics LEDs are switched on in series with a frequency of 150 ms. From the outside, it not only looks beautiful, but also gives more information about this or that car maneuver.
Many manufacturers are already preparing their cars for the introduction of such matrix optics technology, but how much this will be possible, so far no one can say. At the moment, Audi is the only copyright holder of such technology in optics and whether it wants to share with other manufacturers remains open to question.
Audi
