"It caused admiration and respect for others, and evenly. It would seem that everything is already invented and developed by automotive optics anymore, however, the creators of laser headlights do not think so ...
Light diode headlights As, however, any other revolutionary headlights for their time before the appearance of laser headlamps were considered the most efficient source of lighting, which to this day actively use automakers in their cars. By the way, the serial release may today can afford not all autohygigants, as a rule, such headlights are equipped with a premium segment cars.
Laser headlights are still more difficult and confused, these headlights are achievement. high technologies, and to create them is necessary special conditions and many different electronics, which actually creates laser ray. In this area, leading manufacturers of automotive light optics are actively working such as: Osram, Philips, Valeo, Bosch and Hella.
In addition to leading manufacturers of lighting sources by laser headlights, automakers are very interested. So in 2011, the laser headlights were represented by BMW, which demonstrated its own achievements in this area on its concept under the code name I8. The one who follows the events in BMW remembers, as a few years, the concept has become a full-fledged serial supercar.
Laser headlights BMW i8 video
After a few more years, such headlights began to appear on other "BMW" models. The BMW laser module was developed by OSRAM engineers. Despite the high cost of the technology itself, as well as the cost of components and developments, laser headlights We received the approval of the leadership, which did not even confuse the fact that the presence of laser headlamps would significantly affect the total value of the entire car. More important for developers and project managers was the championship in the art, as well as the advantage of which the buyer will receive after the purchase of their brainchild.
The second cargoge of Audi - no less actively works in the "laser direction". For the first time, laser headlights received Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro, as well as the concept of Audi Sport Quattro Laserlight. The characteristic difference in laser headlamp production "Audi" is that the activation of laser modules occurs at a speed of 60 km / h and above. Before this marks, the road lights "ordinary".
Laser headlamp The production of Audi consists of four powerful laser diodes, their body diameter of the glow is equal to 300 micrometers. These diodes are able to generate a light beam. of blue color With a wavelength of about 450 nm. Thanks to a special fluorescent converter, a blue glow turns into a white (color temperature of 5500 K). Such a light according to manufacturers is most pleasant for the eyes and practically does not cause fatigue. The length of the light beam itself is about 500 meters.
Unlike the light sources familiar to us (incandescent lamps, gas discharge lamps, LEDs) Laser headlamps have many "pluses". It all begins with the fact that the laser radiation is monochrome and coherently, in other words of the waves are constantly the same length with a constant phase difference.
List the advantages of laser headlights
- This allows you to form a beam of light, which is very close in essence to the parallel, (makes it possible to illuminate a specific zone).
- Laser ray of ten is stronger than halogen, as well. The length of the laser beam reaches a mark of 600 meters, despite the fact that ordinary far lights boast only 200-300 meters (and the closest and worse than only 60-85 meters).
- Laser headlights do not blind as xenon, since the beam of light is directed strictly to the point that should reflow. In the event of a living being in the area of \u200b\u200billumination, for example, a person part of the diodes will immediately turn off and will highlight everything except the area in which the living object is located.
- Laser headlights They have a 30% less power consumption rather than the classic counterparts.
- Compactness Another "plus" in favor of laser headlamps, they can rightfully be bolded to call the most compact of all existing. The lighting area of \u200b\u200bthe laser diode is a hundred times less compared to the usual LED, in this connection, with the same light-length, the laser headlight requires a reflector size of only 30 mm in diameter (for comparison with xenon - 70 mm, in halogen in general - 120 mm). Such abilities of laser headlamps allowed engineers to significantly reduce the size of the headlights without losing and on the contrary, adding the lighting efficiency.
A few words about how it works
Working laser headlight will be in close interaction with the computer, which guided by the data from the sensors will ensure that countercourses and pedestrians do not blind. Each laser headlight contains three diodes of radiating light beam with a capacity of about 1 W. The rays through the mirror system are redirected to the fluorescent element after the absorption of the energy last, the white glow is released, which is formed into the light beam.
In the process of developing laser headlamps, another new technology called Dynamic Light Spot. (Translation from English. - Dynamic point lighting). This development allows you to detect pedestrians, as well as another obstacle to the car through the infrared chamber. After the system detects the barrier, it is automatically highlighted by more intense light so that the driver can pay attention to it and overcome it safely. What is characteristic, the tip for the driver appears with some advance, that is, before the object is highlighted by the rays of the near light. This is necessary in order to secure the driver and give it the opportunity to prepare for those or other maneuvers and actions.
Laser headlights Audi video
In the light recent publications (Volvo Technologies, Mercedes Technologies), Habra Readers asked to tell more detailed information About technological innovations of automotive industry. It seems to me that one of the most interesting and promising developments At the moment - Laser headlights from BMW.
In September 2011, BMW introduced new technology car fleecebased on the use of blue lasers. This technology is first applied to bMW car i8, which was shown on Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009. In the spotlight, not one, but at once three lasers, in total in the car 12 - 3 in each of the 2 headlight sections. To understand how this technology works, look at the diagram.
Three lasers (a) are installed on a triangular shape and shine on small mirrors (B), which redirect the beam on the lens (C). Inside the lens (c) there is a yellow phosphorus, which under the influence of a blue laser radiates a bright white light. This light emitted by phosphorus is redirected to the lens on the reflector (D), which throws away the light 180 degrees on the road in front of the car. The ingested headlights are created in a special way so that the entire created light is reflected on the surface in front of the car. At the top on the right in the photo you can see how one of 6 lasers works, even though its ray and blocks the card. Note that such a configuration is only one of the possible and can be made to the headlights of almost any size and shape.
In this photo you can see how the headlights work on full power. BMW declares that these headlights are 1000 times brighter than the diode headlights that are used now, but use only half the brightness to reduce electricity consumption by car. Also, representatives of the company claim that the service life of at least 10,000 hours, the same as LED headlights. What is important, the ability to change the size of the headlight will allow designers to more freely create headlights and their size.
Of course, the first thing we know about lasers is that they are not necessary to direct anyone in the eyes not to damage the retina. With these headlights it is simply impossible, BMW asks not to worry. The laser is dangerous in that its light is very concentrated and focused. The light produced by yellow phosphorus is not like that, and in order to prove the engineer of BMW looked directly into the beam of the light created by the headlights and invited journalists to do the same. Despite the fact that the headlight light is very bright, neither the author of the text nor anyone else suffered from this demonstration.
It is also eliminated that the headlight light may set fire to the objects in front of the car (despite the fact that the engineer set fire to an aromatic wand from one of the car lasers to demonstrate its power) for the same reason. The light created by the header is not a laser beam based on another nature of the very light of light. If you are afraid of lasers, which will fly out of the headlight with an accident and start to destroy everything around - do not worry, BMW took care of it, in case of accident, as well as with xenon headlights - immediately turns off the supply of electricity to the headlights.
BMW also did not miss the opportunity to present the new Dynamic Lightspot System technology, which highlights pedestrians that are on your way. On the technical modelThat we showed these spotlights were built into the installation location of the fog and are driven by a system of similar adaptive turning of turns. The system uses the same technologies that are used in the BMW night vision system, which uses infrared sensors and cameras to recognize the human temperature and silhouette.
If the night vision camera denotes a pedestrian on the display of the entertainment system, the LightSpot system is more active and highlights the pedestrian one beam from the place of fog. Since there are two fog in the car, the car can follow two pedestrians immediately, as well as it can lead the light after a pedestrian, turning the road in the dark in front of you.
In order not to be distracted by pedestrians that do not interfer the movement of the car, the system has a fairly narrow field of view. The computer monitors all the pedestrians that are in front of the car, but the system will only highlight those that will intersect with the car's trajectory or there will be a threat to the intersection of this trajectory. BMW declares that the system can move the beam faster than anyone can run, so you will not run away from the beam. True, in BMW it is said that the system is still experiencing difficulties on serpentine, where the car constantly changes the trajectory of movement. That is why it is still a prototype. And yet, the company says that this system greatly simplifies drivers life and allows you to see pedestrians on average 34 meters earlier than without it. The oncoming drivers will also be delighted from any blinding, because BMW has an Active High Beam system that follows the oncoming traffic and will not allow to blind drivers.
So far, both systems are prototypes. Dynamic LightSpot will reach the consumer of the first, at least BMW and does not say when. But perhaps the time will come soon when laser headlights will also be as common as halogen or xenon headlights Completed today.
Another company that develops new system Lighting and installs it in its own models - Audi. The first cars with laser lighting of steel R18 E-TRON Quattro and Sport Quattro Laserlight concept car with the appropriate name. First audi model New headlights have already been available since 2011. Its illites are activated only at speeds above 60 kilometers per hour. Such a device is needed in order not to blind other drivers and pedestrians in the city - headlights will work only on the highway or outside the city. The rest of the time the road will be covered by ordinary lED lanterns. Each laser headlight is equipped with four powerful diodes with a width of the light flux of 300 micrometers. The system creates a blue beam of a wavelength of 450 nanometers, which is converted to white light with a color temperature of 5,500 Kelvin. Such a stream is most similar to natural sunny, so it does not cause his eyes to get tired on the road. The range of the glow is 500 meters.
For the first time laser headlights on Audi were tested in practice. racing Boll R18 E-TRON Quattro. The car participates in endurance races. The laser system was created by OSRAM - a Special Lightning Division division. Audi did not bother that expensive lighting added a solid amount for the cost of R18 E-Tron Quattro - at the time of 2016 the car is available for purchase. Manufacturers decided that the benefits that not only the driver would receive, but also other participants in the movement are worth these funds. At the same time, the car is equipped with laser headlights only from behind (the initial feature of the model).
In addition, in 2014, Audi came out under the name R8 LMX. This is a limited sport-compartment line, released in the number of 99 cars.
The first serial car for everyday use to which laser headlights is installed, BMW i8 has become. At the time of 2016, the cost of this model is more than 10 million rubles. The company argues that this technology gives a ray of light about 600 meters long, and its energy efficiency is 30% higher than that of LED systems.
Recently confirmed rumors that BMW will produce motorcycles with laser lighting installations. They will be produced since 2011. The first motorcycle with such equipment was the luxury K1600GLT CES. The last abbreviation in the title means Consumer Electronics Show - this is an exhibition electronic technologywhere the model was presented.
BMW believe that laser optics technology is the future of the automotive industry. The company's engineers prepared several prototypes based on powerful lighting systems.
Device and principle of operation of laser headlights
For the first time on the car, such a lighting system was established in 2011. This machine is BMW i8. Sporter is equipped with twelve blue laser rays - three in each of the headlights.
The basis of the technology is based on the principle of dispersion, which, in turn, is achieved through the use of a special chemical substance - they are filled with the headlight cavity - yellow phosphorus. Technically, the laser is used only as a light source - if it were the basis of the system and did not dissipate, the illuminator would give the concentrated beam. It is due to the distribution of the wave, the device can be used as lighting. Such headlights with a laser generator do not blind other participants in the movement and pedestrians, and perfectly perform their function. For example, in technology from BMW, it is noticeable that the sources create a blue beam passing through a cubic element that is filled with phosphorus. Almost instantly, the light turns into a bright scattered radiation of white light - such headlights are several times more intense than the remaining energy with equal energy consumption. Efficiency is achieved due to a reflector with a special design that concentrates approximately 99.95% of the flow in the desired direction - on the road in front of the car.
Lasers are known for a peculiarity of people or even damage to various surfaces with their directed beam - this causes a large number of disputes and doubts about such technology when used in headlights. But such lighting does not harm, since the concentrated stream is used only for "ignition" - only the stream scattered through the yellow phosphorus is falling on the road. Thus, laser headlights are completely safe and harmless. They do not provoke injuries, blinding or harm. In case, if the car falls into an accident, and its optical devices will be destroyed, the laser system will automatically turn off - there is no chance that the rays will shine unprotected, which means that the installation will not harm anyone.
The head optics. All the same BMW i8 works in this way: two headlights consist of two elements of three lasers each, and the rays, in turn, fall into small mirrors, and then redirected to the lens. Under the influence of yellow phosphorus, the blue stream turns into white with a temperature of about 5,500 Kelvin - this is the most closest result that engineers managed to achieve. Such a color temperature allows laser headlights to strain the driver's eyes and other participants with their light. After reflection, the light is redirected to 180 degrees relative to the source and falls on the road in the scattered form. This configuration is only one of the many permissible, so that the options for the laser headlights are actually a lot. Also almost not limited and permissible form of optics elements - designers and engineers can constitute configurations of almost any size and type.
The total power of these headlights is such that the maximum possible emitted light is a thousand times more intense that produces a diode system. But laser sources are used only in prisons - it is necessary to save energy, as electricity consumption is very high. At the same time, the stated service life of the new generation headlights is the same as LED - 10,000 hours.
Advantages of laser lighting sources in cars
Comparing this modern technology With already known - incandescent lamps, halogen, xenon and LED (diode), - can be distinguished by a number of differences. Laser automotive illites have several advantages that leak from the properties of the system: coherence, monochromicity, radiation intensity and others. Pros before "ordinary" lamps:
- The laser source forms a concentrated beam of light, which almost does not expand (not dissipated) - it allows you to control the beam and illuminate specific zones.
- The power of the light of such a beam is 10 times more than halogen, xenon and diode sources. The radiation range of laser optics is approximately 600 meters, while "ordinary" - no more than 300, and more often and 200 meters at all. At the same time, on short distances (on which the Middle Light is 60-85 meters in front of the machine), the system does not blind - the rays are strictly aimed and the lighting near the person appears near the machine. The "necessary" elements are deactivated, in the zone of which the object is located.
- Laser installation consumes 30% less energy, producing a similar amount of light.
- These headlights are the most compact from all available at the time of 2016. The radiating the surface of the beam is 100 times less than an ordinary diode. If the laser is similar, the laser requires a reflector with a diameter of 30 millimeters, while xenon and halogen - 70 and 120, respectively. This feature allows you to make modern headlights compact, while not losing efficiency. At the BMW i8, the reflector decreased from 9 to less than 3 centimeters - so far designers and engineers are not going to make size even less, but there is such an opportunity.
Thus, the head laser light always works in aggregate with complex and functional electronic system. The device allows you to turn off part of the headlight emission depending on whether the object is in its "field of view", as far and where it is located. The laser system makes the light safer and comfortable for all participants in motion and pedestrians.
Can I buy and install laser headlights on your car
Despite the high cost of production, and therefore sales, such an optics system caused interest in many car enthusiasts. Unfortunately, in 2016 laser optics (head or for overall lights) not for sale. Despite the fact that in the sphere for several years there are some global companies, it is possible to get such a system only when buying one of several cars, which are completed with such lighting that have been published at the moment.
Machines with laser headlights
At the moment there are only 6 cars with such a lighting system. At the same time, most of the prototypes or has a limited circulation.
This model is the first hybrid supercar from the company, as well as the first car with laser headlights, launched in mass production and sale. Serial version It was presented in the fall of 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. At the same time, the concept of I8 was shown to motorists back in 2009. BMW argue that this supercar is a revolutionary model in the automotive industry: immediately for the company, this class of machines and spheres of optics for machines. BMW first They put a car with laser headlights to flow, which took place in the history of the industry. The model costs more than 10,000,000 rubles.
The design I8 is very unusual - futuristic appearance, which got a real model from the concept, highlights the car even among Odnoklassniki. The body has smooth bends and lines. Like all BMW models, I8 have practical and ergonomic appearance and interior. Coefficient aerodynamic resistance Body - 0.26.
The hybrid car system consists of 1,5-liter gasoline and two electric (one only only for start) engines with a total capacity of 362 liters. from. Maximum speed - 120 km / h only on electricity and 250 km / h in mixed mode. Acceleration up to hundreds takes 4.4 seconds. I8 has robotic gearbox With 6 steps.
This racing model - Continuation of the classic Audi line, which was launched in 1980, and the next generation for R15 TDI. Compared to the last model R18 E-Tron has a number of features. First of all, it is a laser optics from behind. Headlights are filled with yellow phosphorus and work along the same system as on other cars. The head optics R18 E-Tron Quattro still consists of LED sources.
The engine in a new model - V6 TDI with electrical turbine, which also received improved battery and heat processing systems in energy for the machine. In the process of developing R18, engineers abandoned the second such device, as it did not increase efficiency.
Aerodynamicity new audi significantly increased. The reason for this was the reduced to 10 centimeters in the width of the case. Monocokes of the car were even more durable with an additional material. The suspension for wheels and protection in case of collision were also added.
As for the laser headlights, Audi stated that this system is a new milestone in the development of Le Man's arrival. Thus, the company is confident that these headlights will make the conditions of racing better.
Quattro line - racing and road cars that produce German. The first model of the series appeared in 1980 - it was produced until 1991. The idea for the line was given in 1977 by the company's engineer.
The concept of Audi Quattro Sport is the predecessor of the LaserLight variation, which is based on this version - came out in 2013 and was presented in Frankfurt in honor of the 30th anniversary of the line. The model received new ribs of rigidity, as well as square headlights with diode light sources. In addition, Quattro Sport is equipped with a spoiler under the glass of the rear view, rectangular lights on the "tail" machine, 21-inch discs and ceramic-carbon brakes. In the laserlight predecessor cabin you can find a multifunctional sports steering wheel, 2 three-dimensional display and air conditioning. The wings and doors of the car are made of aluminum, and the roof and the rest of the housing is made of polymer.
The front axle Quattro Sport has 5 supporting elements on each wheel, and the rear is equipped with a controlled link in the form of a trapezium. The model is equipped with a 4-liter fuel Engine and an electric motor with a capacity of 552 and 148 horsepower, respectively. The car accelerates to a hundred in 3.7 seconds and has a limit of 305 km / h.
The LaserLight version, which is based on the "normal" Quattro Sport, is distinguished by a special front headlight device. At the same time, the Middle Light is provided by diodes.
This model is a BMW response to the launch of a car with laser headlights into mass production. Audi R18 E-Tron Quattro and Quattro Sport Laserlight are racing prototypes, and R8 LMX went out into circulation (though, just 99 copies). The car is called up to carry light into the masses, and in the literal sense, because its lighting system is one of the most interesting features of the model.
It was Audi that the first began to think and work on to equip the car with laser headlights. They began to create them to BMW, which, it is worth noting, the first to have released this optics in shared access. Laser headlamps R8 LMX are made of the following items: running lights, main diodes (near light), lateral lighting, auxiliary sources far Light, small laser generator and LED strip of overall lights. The LMX headlight device is the same as in I8, but Audi's elements are 1 more for each sector - 4 against 3 at BMW. Anyway, the light of all sources is reduced into a common beam and is supplied to a special plane, which redirects blue light and "paints" it in a lighter, close to white shade.
The laser turns on when a speed set and is activated after 60 kilometers per hour. The light beats at 500 meters forward - this distance is much further than most of the smooth cuts of the road without turns. Therefore, perhaps this lighting system is even too powerful.
The modification of the R8 with the laser is not fundamentally new model, Therefore, has the components of the predecessor. This is a 5.2-liter engine (though, forced - up to 570 liters. With 550), as well as the automatic transmission ("Mechanics" stopped installed). Externally, the car also corresponds to the predecessor and the general concept of Audi.
German coupe S. modern system Lighting, which was presented in 2015. BMW decided not to stop in terms of equipping its models of laser optics and prepares for release new version M4 (predecessor came out in 2013). The car is almost no different from the option without modern headlights.
M4 design with laser headlights matches the entire line. Sports bumpers and an enlarged track with wheels of different widths under 18 inches wheels give the car "muscular" view. At the heart of M4, light carbon is used - it is necessary to increase controllability by reducing the mass of the machine.
Like I. previous generation - BMW M3 - the fourth is equipped with a 3-liter gasoline engine with turbocharged. Engine provides power in 431 horsepower. Torque on the background of past versions grew by 25%. Similarly, a quarter decreased fuel consumption. The coupe is equipped with one of the checkpoint - mechanical on 6 steps or robotic on 7. Car chassis is configured with the participation of professional riders, and chassis complemented electronic differential and SERVOTRONIC technology for better steering.
Laser headlamps in this model are installed as a head optics. In the photographs of the concept, their radiation has a blue tint, but BMW claims that the light is close to daylight. Retaining headlights - 600 meters.
Volkswagen - the first and so far that at the time of 2016 the manufacturer, in addition to BMW and Audi, who began to work with laser headlights. This is the eighth generation of golf, for which designers create fundamentally new design. The output of the model is expected in 2017. Laser headlamps, as expected, will be installed only in the most expensive package.
It is assumed that Golf 8 will be built on the basis of the MQB platform, which is used for Skoda Octavia. And Seat Leon. Manufacturers can refuse the three-door version, as it is not popular on the generations published in recent years. The cabin will have an information system that is managed by gestures.
The appearance of the new model will have more aggressive in front of the body and sharp lines. It is planned to add diode daytime running lights to the front bumper. Announcement of the eighth generation Volkswagen Golf occurred in 2016.
Outcome
Already, the laser optics system is impressive with its compact size. These and other properties (brightness, energy consumption and the accuracy of the direction of the beam) will improve, which will make it possible to make very effective and convenient light sources. Related technologies are also developing. For example, a system that tracks objects in the action zone and is adjusted in such a way as not to shine on them and do not blind people. The laser system has advantages for both the owner of the car and other participants in the movement - drivers and pedestrians.
The car lighting system is developing a rapid pace, providing new and new levels of safety and comfort. The evolution of automotive light sources is impressive: halogen, xenon, LEDs and now, finally, lasers. Sources of light based on laser diodes are currently engaged in two automobile companies - BMW and Audi, which submitted laser headlights on their sports cars.
The laser headlight in its current form of the headlight, as such, is not, and is a laser distance module in the composition of the matrix headlight. In perspective, everything automotive optics Can go to laser light sources. The advantages of laser headlamps providing their widespread use in the future are:
- large lighting range (up to 600 m);
- clear black and white border;
- compact design;
- low energy consumption.
In addition to adaptive long beam, laser headlights can also perform other functions:
- interaction with pedestrians (help, warning);
- active road markup (dividing stripes, sidelines);
- marking light (backlit pedestrians, animals on the roadway);
- accurate darkening of the oncoming and passing cars;
- indication of the dimensions of the car in cramped conditions.
With the development of the communication system between cars, the list of functions of laser headlights will only expand.
Laser Laser Design (Laser Module matrix headlight) Includes a block of laser diodes, a mirror matrix, phosphor and lens. Laser diodes from OSRAM firm form laser rays with a length of 450 nm, which are converted (refracted) by a DMD matrix (Digital Micromirror Device, a literally digital microercal device) consisting of more than 100,000 microercals.
The matrix from Bosch is built on silicon technology and has electromechanical managementallowing each of the microserkal to rotate in the horizontal and vertical plane. This makes it possible to change the area and the intensity of high speed lighting in a wide range. Luminofor converts blue laser rays into a white glow. At the outlet of the lenses, a powerful light beam of high color temperature is obtained, commensurate with daylight.
Laser headlaire control carries out the electronic unitwhich changes the position of the microerkal based on the signals from the radar and the camcorder. For low speeds Movement light is distributed on a large area of \u200b\u200bprojection, and the road is illuminated in a wide range. On the high speeds The angle of the solution decreases, and the intensity of light increases.
We are waiting for the appearance of laser headlamps on mass cars and this is, apparently, not far from the mountain.
