Hella will several new LED-based automotive lighting technologies at the Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA) in Germany (Sept. 15-25).
Hella's exhibit will feature a new LED headlamp with dynamic LED cornering lights, as well as rear-lighting technologies such as an LED light curtain and 3D light guides.
Dynamic cornering
In cooperation with Stanley, Hella has developed a prototype LED headlamp with a dynamic cornering light that does not use mechanical components. The lamp's LEDs are electronically triggered and scatter light with the aid of specially designed Cartoval plastic lenses.
The new dynamic cornering light is housed in the headlamp as a separate module in the lower part of the front bumper. Four Cartoval plastic lenses arranged next to one another are aligned in different directions. Different switch-on algorithms can be realized using electronic controls. For example, each of the four elements can be switched on or dimmed depending on speed and steering angle.
For the prototype, Hella is using both standard LEDs and LED assemblies developed in cooperation with Stanley for use in automotive applications. The LED arrays direct light onto the road with the aid of different optical systems.
Five solid plastic-lens modules arranged next to one another in the upper part of the headlamp produce the low beam. Two additional modules positioned vertically on the outside of the headlamp form the high beam. There also are two standard LEDs behind small rectangular plastic optic elements between the two high-beam modules. These, together with dimmed high-beam modules, produce a daytime running light.
The new LED headlamps being developed by Hella and Stanley are expected to provide light output equal to Xenon headlamps and will be available by 2008.
Light curtain
Hella's "light curtain," being shown for the first time as a position light in a headlamp display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, is based on advanced LED technology. Light from several concealed LEDs is guided to a plastic plate and the reflection is evenly distributed. Light-scattering elements on the plate direct the light and produce the effect of a homogenously illuminated surface.
The direction indicator with seven standard LEDs is arranged behind the light curtain to produce an individual appearance when switched on together with the position light. A variety of brand-specific and individual customer- specific designs can be achieved through different LED arrangements.
