15.09.2009 14:42
Reutlingen, Germany. In close cooperation with Mercedes-Benz, Automotive Lighting has developed the first headlamp to be equipped with Highbeam Assistant. This system which represents a trail-blazing “thinking” safety device will be fitted in the new S-Class. The functional enhancement is realized by a camera-controlled cut-off-line and consists in a variation of the classic low beam pattern. A camera attached to the windscreen records the area ahead of the vehicle. Whenever light is detected in vehicles driving ahead or travelling in the other direction, the range of the headlamps is automatically regulated and adjusted by the integrated control electronics (AL-Box) newly developed by Automotive Lighting. This gives the driver the best possible illumination of the road at all times. As the vehicle in front or the oncoming vehicle comes closer, the system will dip the light automatically in several stages. Once the distance increases again, illumination of the road is automatically increased, without dazzling other road users. In other words, the variable light-dark boundary of the AFX module is adjusted in milliseconds depending on the situation. The range of conventional low-beam headlamps at the right-hand side of the road is approximately 110 meters. By means of the adaptive expansion, up to 200 meters will be illuminated using the new lighting device, depending on the information provided by the camera. When the road is completely empty, the system will even switch directly into the high-beam mode, enabling a range at the right-hand side of the road of some 330 meters. This represents a significant advantage for all journeys in darkness, both on country roads and on motorways. Research into night-time traffic accidents shows that every other collision is caused by a failure to detect other road users or obstacles in time. To prevent accidents, or minimize their seriousness, it is essential for the driver to be able to perceive a traffic situation or obstacle early and assess it properly, so that they can react appropriately. Highbeam Assistant is yet another innovative and active contribution to improved safety and travelling comfort at night. In addition, it enables the driver to focus solely on the road, because the manual switching of the high beam is a thing of the past.
The bi-xenon module with a diameter of 70 mm – the most powerful module available today – is installed as standard equipment in the Mercedes-Benz S-Class headlamp and forms the basis for both low and high beam. This PES module ensures an exceptional range and a homogenous illumination of the road. The turn signal light is provided by a filament lamp, while the position light is generated by a longlasting lamp.
The additional LED-Light-Package is recommended for all Mercedes-Benz S-Class drivers who want to create an attractive visual impact. These headlamps include narrow LED light strips across the whole width of the lamp. The turn signal and position light is provided by two sets of 12 double reflectors arranged in two rows one behind the other. 12 white LEDs are used for the position light, and 12 amber LEDs for the turn signal light. The position light includes two sections. During operation of the turn signal, the horizontal part of the position light is deactivated, so that only the signal light is seen. The three LEDs of the vertical position light are attached to the outer side of the headlamp and remain active during operation of the turn signal.
The Intelligent Light System (ILS) can be ordered as part of the LED-Light-Package, or it comes as standard equipment in certain models. ILS provides the adaptive bi-xenon headlamps with a steady stream of all relevant data through the vehicle electronic system. By analyzing these parameters, the system will recognize the different driving situations and weather conditions and select the best light distribution from the following five lighting options fully automatically.
The dynamic curve light permanently follows the steering angle and comes into its own on curvy country roads. Depending on the radius of the curve, the AFX projection module is swivelled horizontally. Compared with today’s standard headlamp systems, visibility around the curve is improved by up to 70%.
The cornering light of the bi-xenon headlamps provides more light when turning into roads and drives, or when driving slowly around tight bends. This light function is provided with its own reflector and arranged in the headlamp area pointing towards the radiator grill. The cornering light is now for the first time provided by two LEDs and is considered an absolute novelty.
The motorway light switches on from a speed of approximately 90 km/h. The variable light-dark boundary is changed by the actuator motors lifting the projection module successively by 0.5 %. At the same time, the output of the xenon lamp is increased from 35 to 38 Watts as speed increases. This allows the road to be illuminated further ahead, and the line-of-sight limit of the driver improves up to 200 m during driving on motorways.
The extended fog light supports the driver in adverse weather conditions. When low beam and fog lamps are switched on, the light of the left headlamp (for right-hand traffic) is guided to the outside left by 8 degrees. The asymmetry is phased out, and lateral guidance improved, giving a flat, symmetrical light distribution ahead of the vehicle. The self-glare in fog is reduced, and illumination of the left-hand edge of the road is improved.
The active infrared system allows constant driving with invisible high beam, even in dense oncoming traffic, without any dazzling. It is available as optional equipment.
The innovative infrared module has been developed from a conventional optical high beam module and a long-life H11 lamp by using an infrared interference filter with high-resistance thin layers. This infrared lamp is activated in addition to the low beam by means of a switch located in the vehicle cockpit. It is activated from a speed of 15 km/h and “illuminates” the street with invisible light. This allows the line-of-sight limit to be extended to up to 200 m, even with oncoming traffic. The heat radiator developed by Automotive Lighting detects road users, pedestrians, animals and all “cold objects” whose intrinsic temperature corresponds to that of the environment and which cannot be detected by the alternative “passive infrared systems” of other manufacturers. A multifunction display represents the previously invisible objects in shades of grey. This means that the driver can detect potential dangers like people and animals as well as obstacles such as shed loads, and react more quickly. The Night View Assistant adds significantly to active safety.
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