Audi was one of the first to use LED headlights in its models, and before that - xenon, adaptive light with rotary mechanisms ... Now you will not surprise anyone with LED headlights - many manufacturers began to offer them as optional equipment. But Audi went further with the development of matrix LED headlights. The development was named "Audi Matrix LED".
The headlights contain 25 LEDs, divided into five groups of five LEDs each. Each group has a reflector with a lens and is electronically controlled. This whole design is devoid of turning mechanisms, and the redirection of the light beam is carried out by changing the focus of the light beam - the electronics individually change the brightness of the LED units or turn them off. The system comes into operation when the car reaches 60 km / h in city conditions, or after 30 km / h on the highway.
The presence of such lighting technology allows not to dazzle the drivers of the vehicles in front, to illuminate road signs and pedestrians, to "peep" around the bend.
A car with matrix headlights is equipped with a special camera that monitors the traffic situation. If the camera sees a car moving towards the meeting, it will give a signal on-board computer and he will alternately turn on and off the groups of diodes, so that the oncoming car remains in the shadow, and the rest of the road is still illuminated. The principle of the anti-glare function is shown in the left photo.
Another useful feature is the direction of the light beam in the direction of the turn. This is where the Audi Matrix LED helps navigation system, transmitting information about the nearest bends, approaching which the headlights are directed in advance in the direction of the upcoming turn.
Also, matrix headlights made friends with a night vision system, which recognizes pedestrians who are close to the roadway, reporting their coordinates to the system, and that directs the light to the pedestrian (top photo), warning him of an approaching car, blinking three times. The same thing happens with road signs: the light beam is focused on the surface of the sign, but without blinking.
And the last thing. Dynamic direction indicators are part of the Matrix LED: LEDs in the “turn signals” light up sequentially in the direction of rotation at intervals of 150 milliseconds. How it works is shown in the photo on the right.
For the first time, Audi Matrix LED technology was used on the company's flagship, which has recently been sold in Russia. In the future, the G8 will share matrix headlights with other models.
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It is currently difficult to keep track of the development of technologies in the segment of the automotive lighting market, even for experts, not to mention ordinary average car enthusiasts. Yesterday, xenon, for example, was considered the coolest, but then the auto world started talking about LED headlights and suddenly abruptly car companies switch to matrix headlights. Until the oncoming car blinded you laser optics, let's try to figure something out.
What are matrix headlights
In general, this is one of the types of headlights with a diode filling. By the way, everyone famous company Audi was one of the first to implement this solution in its models, calling it - Matrix LED. The light sources remain the same, but an important difference is the organization of the work of these sources.
Reading the characteristics of matrix headlights, the manufacturer often focuses on the number of LEDs involved. For example, each Multibeam Mercedes headlight contains 24 working diodes, and the modernized version, which has found use on the new generation E-Class, already has 28 diodes. Although it must be said that in conventional LED optics, the number of such diodes can be up to several dozen. Let's take a relatively affordable Audi model A3 - nine "LED chips" here are responsible for the low beam, and the high beam - on the conscience of ten LEDs. If we take into account the matrix headlights, then here it is necessary to pay attention not so much to the number of diodes, but rather to their quality.
Matrix headlights device
Take the "simple" LED optics - it reproduces the design that drivers know from the "Zhiguli" left over from their grandfathers. The headlamp, as before, consists of separate blocks: near, high beam, side lights - only modern LEDs have replaced outdated bulbs. At the same time, if we switch from low beam to high beam, then we are not talking about the usual choice, but about creating a dynamic light picture that constantly adjusts to road conditions (situation).
The division into near / far familiar to the driver can be found in the matrix headlight Matrix LED, but we add that you can turn off, turn on and mute here either a separate block of LEDs (by the way, of which each pair contains five pieces), or each LED separately. Therefore, it turns out that the electronics has many options for adjusting the high and low beam. An individual light option can be selected for absolutely all occasions, since the number of available ones is approaching a billion!
Price - Lack of matrix headlights
Recently, matrix headlights are increasingly appearing in equipment with a relatively available cars and the whole family can be called such an example.
To realize all the possibilities of matrix headlights, it is necessary to have: firstly, complex control electronics, and secondly, a set of devices that read information about road conditions(video cameras, sensors) and even a navigation system that will warn the computer if the car is approaching a turn, and also "tell" about the configuration of the latter. Therefore, such a newfangled thing as matrix headlights is quite expensive.
And if you see in the price list opposite the desired product (matrix headlamp) there is a relatively democratic price, then surely, if necessary, you will quickly come to mind to replace the headlamp broken in an accident at your own expense that the antediluvian halogens are not so bad ...
In conclusion, we add that in the near future we will tell you how much it can cost a driver to replace a couple of matrix headlights. As before, you can ask questions that interest you, and we will always answer them.
Matrix LED technology in Audi vehicles last generation if it did not make a revolution in the standards of road lighting (after all, the main competitors also have cool solutions), then it went to the very, very spearhead of progress. The car, equipped with LED headlights with matrix modules, is able to recognize cars on the road by itself, masterly juggling the light beam.
Let's see how the manufacturer himself describes his development:
The Audi Matrix LED technology consists in that the high beam emitted by the LEDs is divided into several distinct segments. Separate LEDs working in conjunction with lenses or reflectors provide consistent illumination High Quality and there is no need for a pivot mechanism - instead, the LEDs are individually turned on, off or muted.
From Audi press release
The Audi Matrix LED headlights receive the information they need from a camera, navigation system or other sensors. When the camera detects other vehicles, the high beam divided into several zones is blocked in certain sub-zones. Even in difficult situations, headlights can illuminate areas between multiple vehicles. The high beam actually guides the driver along the road.
From Audi press release
Audi LED headlights emit light with a temperature of 5500 Kelvin, which is almost the same as daylight. This helps your eyes to perceive the environment more contrasting at night and take the strain off them.
From Audi press release
It is difficult to disagree - the future is definitely behind LED headlights, which are more durable and more economical than their halogen and gas-discharge (xenon) counterparts. Moreover, AvtoVesti has already tested several Audi cars with matrix headlights and have personally seen their effectiveness. The illumination of the road is uniform, the light is bright, and oncoming drivers seem to be protected by an invisible hand, covering the desired area of the headlight. If earlier such systems simply turned off the high beam or opened the curtain, now it is a truly intelligent light control system.
On new Audi A6 surcharge for LED Matrix LED optics is seemingly not sky-high 128 thousand rubles. Judge for yourself - even the optional Bang & Olufsen "music" here will pull as much as 340 thousand. And add expensive leather trim - and already half a million on top.
Minimum price
Maximum price
But it is not without reason that our new permanent heading is called "They Count-Weep". Although the optics are usually not changed for no reason, and the service life of LEDs is about 20 years, we now and then see burned-out headlights and lanterns on new cars. And the possibility of getting into an accident has not been canceled. And if so, AvtoVesti decided to ask the official representative Audi brands the cost of replacing such high-tech headlights ...
After analyzing the figures obtained, you can completely do without chopping onions - here anyone will cry like cow tears. Only one LED headlight with a matrix module will cost 254,175 rubles, and two will cost 508,350 rubles. The work on replacing both headlights in the official service will cost 9,600 rubles, in total - 517,950 rubles!
Spare parts
Replacement work
The numbers are especially impressive when you consider the cost of the "conventional" bi-xenon head optics, which are present in basic equipment Audi A6, and, by the way, nobody complains about its efficiency. One headlight for gas discharge lamp costs only 63 135 rubles apiece - four times cheaper than LED!
However, it is too early to finally lose hope of the LED future. First, LEDs are truly extremely reliable. Therefore, the chance of their breakage is very low. Secondly, at first the headlights are protected by a guarantee, and then by the "kulants" program, which exactly covers the cost of defective spare parts. Thirdly, according to our calculations, the prices for modern light sources fall by 2 times every 4 years, so that by 2018 new headlights will no longer be suitable for the object of study in our research. Let's count laser!
P.S. If you think that there is nothing terribly expensive in your car, then you simply did not read our new research, stay tuned. We promise new tears every week. :)
The leading position in the field of lighting technology belongs to Audi. Since 2013, Audi has been installing Matrix LED headlights on its flagship model, the Audi A8. Matrix headlights take safety to the next level road traffic and driving comfort. The Matrix Beam pilot project is being developed by Opel.
Matrix headlight from Audi combines matrix module for high beam headlights, low beam module for headlights, daytime running lights, side lights and direction indicator, design headlamp surround, air duct with fan and control unit.
Headlamp high beam module consists of 25 LEDs, combined in groups of 5 pieces and collectively forming matrix... Each group has its own reflector and a metal radiator for cooling. About one billion different light distribution combinations are realized with the help of a matrix of LEDs.
Headlight low beam module located under the headlamp high beam module and consists of 15 LEDs, divided into several segments. At the very bottom of the headlight there is a module for daytime running lights, side lights and a direction indicator. Structurally, the module includes 30 sequential LEDs.
The arrangement of the lighting modules is emphasized by the design frame. In the matrix headlight is located and the electronic unit management. For forced cooling of the LEDs, the headlamp is equipped with an air duct with a fan.
Everything structural elements matrix headlights are housed in a plastic housing, which serves as a basis for placing the elements and protects them from external influences. From the front, the body is covered with a transparent diffuser.
Matrix headlights have electronic system control, traditionally including input devices, control unit and actuators. The input devices are a video camera and a number of sensors. The video camera provides information about other vehicles on the road. In the interests of matrix headlights, many sensors of other vehicle systems operate: steering wheel angle sensor, speed sensor, sensor ground clearance, light sensor, rain sensor.
If there is a navigation system in the car, the route data (the nature of the movement, the relief of the road, the settlements) are used in the control of the matrix headlights.
The electronic control unit processes information from input devices and, depending on the traffic situation, activates (deactivates) certain LEDs. It should be noted that matrix headlights do not use swivel mechanisms, how in xenon headlights... All operating functions are carried out using electronics and static LEDs.
Several lighting functions are implemented in matrix headlights:
- polysegmental high beam;
- high beam for the motorway;
- low beam;
- static adaptive lighting;
- lighting of intersections;
- all-weather lighting;
- highlighting of pedestrians;
- dynamic adaptive lighting;
- dynamic direction indicators.
Polysegmental high beam allows you to move with always on high beam headlights. The main beam of the headlight combines 25 individual segments (according to the number of LEDs).
When driving in the dark, the video camera detects oncoming and passing vehicles by their illumination. As soon as the vehicle is detected, the control system turns off the LEDs that direct the light to vehicle... The rest of the road is fully illuminated. In addition, to avoid dazzling other drivers, the brightness of the LEDs that are on can be dimmed. Matrix headlights can mask up to 8 vehicles at the same time.
High beam for motorway driving is realized when information is received from the navigation system that the car is moving along the motorway. The headlamp control system narrows the light cone of the high-beam headlights, which corresponds to this type road and traffic on it.
dipped headlights has a traditional asymmetric shape: the middle part is less illuminated, the roadside is more illuminated.
Static adaptive lighting is intended for better illumination of the space in front and side of the car when cornering. To do this, three LEDs are activated in each of the headlights, which turn on when you turn the steering wheel or turn on the direction indicator.
Intersection lighting function serves to better illuminate the approaching intersection. The approach of an intersection is detected by the navigation system and the LEDs for static adaptive lighting in both headlights are switched on.
When driving in bad weather conditions (snow, fog, rain), it is used all-weather lighting function... It prevents the driver from being dazzled by their headlights. By pressing the corresponding button, the dipped beam intensity is reduced and the LEDs for static adaptive lighting in both headlights are switched on.
Matrix headlights are capable of in the dark highlight pedestrians and animals located on the road or dangerously close to it. For this, the headlights are combined with a night vision system. When a pedestrian is detected, the headlights signal the high beam three times, warning both the pedestrian and the driver.
When the main beam of the headlights is on, dynamic adaptive headlights... When the steering wheel is turned, the brightness of the main beam is transferred from the center to the direction of the turn by changing the brightness of the LEDs.
Dynamic direction indicator represents the controlled movement of the lights in the direction of the turn. To implement this function, 30 consecutive LEDs are switched on in series with a frequency of 150 ms. According to the manufacturer, the dynamic direction indicator significantly increases the information content of the vehicle lighting system.
Yesterday it was believed that there is nothing cooler than xenon, then everyone started talking about LED headlights, and then abruptly switched to matrix headlights ... And until everyone was blinded by laser headlights, it makes sense to figure something out with our colleagues from AvtoVesti.
Matrix headlights - one of the design options for LED headlights (for good reason Audi company, who was one of the first to implement this solution, calls it Matrix LED). The light sources are the same, but the important difference is how these light sources work.
Matrix headlights have recently begun to appear even on relatively affordable models - one of these has recently become Audi family A4.
In the descriptions of matrix optics, the emphasis is often placed on the number of LEDs - for example, 24 diodes work in each of the Mercedes Multibeam headlights, and in the improved version, which will be presented to the public along with the new generation of the E-class, there will already be 28 of them. "LED headlights, the number of light sources can easily be several dozen. For example, on the relatively affordable Audi A3, nine "LED chips" are responsible for the low beam, and ten LEDs for the high beam. When talking about matrix headlights, you need to pay attention not so much to quantity as to quality.
“Simple” LED optics reproduce the structure known to us from our grandfather “Zhiguli”: as before, there are separate blocks of side lights, high and low beam - just outdated light bulbs have given way to diodes. During the transition, we are no longer talking about a simple choice between near and far, but about creating a dynamic light picture that constantly adjusts to the road situation. In the Matrix LED headlamp, the usual division according to the type of light exists - but you can turn on, dim or turn off not only a separate block of diodes (of which there are five in each pair), but also each individual LED. As a result, the electronics have many options for near and far. You can find your own lighting scenario for almost all occasions - after all, the number of available combinations is approaching one billion!
It is easy to guess that to implement all the possibilities of matrix headlights, firstly, complex control electronics are needed, and secondly, a system of devices that read information about the traffic situation - sensors, video cameras and even a navigation system that will warn about approaching a turn and tell about its configuration. This means that this newfangled optics is an expensive thing. And if in the price list in the corresponding column there is a relatively humane amount, then, if necessary, at your own expense, to change a headlamp broken in an accident, it may quickly come to mind that it is not so, maybe the antediluvian halogens are bad ...
