Matrix headlights or Matrix LED headlights were first used on cars from Audi, which has been a leader in the creation of advanced devices automotive lighting.
In 2013 the first matrix headlights were installed on Audi car A8.
headlight evolution
New modern technologies they do not come to this or that area of industry at once. Everything needs time. So in the automotive industry, before matrix headlights began to appear on cars, this phenomenon was preceded by the evolution of automotive optics.
Many drivers already know the past with a filament, more modern bi-xenon and which are still used on cars.
Nowadays, LED devices have made a revolution in the car lighting system, but at first they were applicable only in turn signals or in running and parking lights.
Therefore, if we give a simple definition of what matrix headlights are, then these are lighting devices that fully operate on LEDs.
Extending the value
It is worth noting that matrix headlights do not only mean head lighting units.
This is a whole system that includes matrix light modules:
- far;
- middle;
- running lights;
- side lights;
- direction indicators;
- Designer lighting.
- Electronic control unit;
- Night vision system;
- Sensors;
- Fan with air duct;
- Plastic case;
- Diffuser.
All this works in conjunction with a video camera, navigation system, night vision devices, as well as sensors: steering angle, rain, road lighting, light sensor and others.
The inclusion of the lighting system using matrix technology occurs automatically when the vehicle reaches the speed:
- In the city 60 km/h;
- Out of town 30 km/h.
high beam headlights
25 LEDs form a kind of matrix, which is divided into 5 blocks. Each block contains 5 LEDs.
Each LED block has its own cooling system, which includes a metal radiator and a reflector (reflector with a lens).
Thanks to this technology, it became possible to distribute light in one million combinations, which was not possible with other types of headlights.
dipped headlights
The common module has the same device as the high beam headlights It is located below the first one, and is also divided into LED blocks, but already smaller.
Last module
The last module includes LEDs for direction indicators, running lights and parking lights. A total of 30 LEDs are installed in the module.
All modules are beautifully designed, which gives the headlight a special appeal.
Electronic control unit
The electronic control unit consists of:
- Directly from the computer unit (the brain of the system);
- Input devices that give the original information;
- Executive elements that directly perform the necessary actions (additional electronic devices).
As noted above, the input devices include devices, thanks to which the control unit receives:
- External visual data, both day and night (video camera, night vision device);
- GPS coordinates, the presence of a turn, descent or ascent, data on the general terrain (navigator);
- Other data that is obtained through various sensors.
The control unit receives the initial information, processes it, and, depending on road conditions, gives the necessary commands to the actuators.
Actuators are not the usual levers, rods, cables, etc. that we are used to.
This electronic devices, which redirect the received electrical signal from the control unit to certain blocks of LEDs, thereby regulating the flow of light in the direction necessary for the driver.
Thanks to the introduction of matrix headlight technology, features that are difficult to implement on vehicles with other types of lighting became available.
These features include:
- Change of direction luminous flux;
- Direction indicators working in dynamic mode;
- Recognition of cars and automatic reduction of the intensity of their illumination;
- Recognition and illumination of pedestrians, animals, road signs;
- Self-adaptive cornering lighting.
The main purpose of this function is to prevent blinding of drivers who are moving both in the same direction and in the opposite direction.
As you may have guessed, she works in dark time days and the identification of the car occurs with the help of a special video camera by its light sources.
However, some cars may have a special radar in front, which also captures the location of other cars on the road.
When a vehicle is detected, the system automatically turns off those LEDs, the streams of light from which are maximally directed to the car.
The closer the car is to you, the more LEDs directed at it turn off, but the illumination of the surrounding area remains unchanged.
The system is designed to detect up to 8 cars, which is quite enough.
This feature is dependent on the vehicle's night vision system. If the car already has matrix headlights when it was purchased at a car dealership, then such a system should already be provided by the manufacturer.
Night vision system covers high angle visibility, thanks to this, the roadside space is clearly visible. When people or animals are detected, the headlights automatically flash three times in high beam mode.
When identifying road sign, the light beam is focused on it, and the problem of sign recognition at night disappears by itself.
This increases the attention of both the driver and the pedestrian, and this is safety on the road.
Self-adaptive cornering lights
This lighting is also called adaptive, as it adapts to each turn automatically, illuminating it to a greater extent.
The work of this function is directly tied to the work navigation system car.
Thanks to the received navigation data, which includes the place of the beginning of the turn, its duration, radius, and the place of its end, the system automatically begins to direct the flow of light in the desired direction even before the car begins to enter the turn.
This greatly improves the safety of driving at night.
Thanks to the matrix headlights, the information content of the direction indicators has become higher. When turning on the right or left turn, 30 LEDs with a period of 150 ms start flashing in sequence in the direction of the intended turn.
It looks not only informative, but also beautiful.
So that the matrix headlights do not fail, or rather the LEDs do not burn out, the system has a special air duct with a fan that cools them.
And the strong tight plastic case reliably protects them from external influences.
So far, the technology of matrix headlights has been introduced only in the Audi A8 model.
After all, the same technology began to be introduced, and Opel, here she received the name "Matrix Beam". As they say, "the Germans rule."
So, we are talking about fog lights in the corners front bumper, which light up one at a time depending on the turn of the steering wheel and thus illuminate the turn. It's not bad both in the parking lot and driving at night on a winding road. The tests of turning headlights did not leave an unequivocal opinion among Consumer Reports experts, so experts suggest that consumers decide whether they need such a paid option.
XENON
Xenon headlights are a sore subject for Russian consumers. Too many drivers had to deal with the so-called collective farm xenon, which blinds oncoming lane and causes a sea of negative emotions, and it shines worse than regular xenon.
HID headlights are optics that use xenon gas. Even lensed headlights are not enough to install xenon, because if the headlight was not originally designed for xenon installation, the heating parameters, size and brightness of xenon and halogen are not taken into account.
But American experts still analyzed the "correct" standard xenon. First conclusion: due to more low temperatures such lamps, but at the end of their replacement will cost much more. But in general, specialists did not see any special advantages over good halogen optics.
LEDS
The headlights, which the manufacturer calls LED, can be light-guide - when a pair of diodes in the tubes are lit, filling them with light, and LED - when the entire line is burning diodes. Light guides are mainly used in rear lights due to lower cost.
The history of automotive lighting began with acetylene torches and conventional electric lights and technology has come a long way since then.
LEDs have many advantages: they have a higher luminous efficiency, high mechanical strength and vibration resistance due to the absence of incandescent lamps, long term services, they do not require time to warm up to full brightness, they are . Therefore, in the automotive industry, they are becoming more common with the release of each new model. But not cheap.
LEDs are actively used for that very “family” optics pattern. However, completely LED headlights, aimed at lighting the road, can be both very good - S-Class, and "blinder" halogens - on Seat Leon, For example.
MATRIX LED HEADLIGHTS
Matrix LED headlights are the next step. Moreover, it is also available for the mass segment, since they already appear on golf-class cars. located in the headlight units more than a dozen LED segments that are responsible for daytime running lights, dipped and main beam and side illumination, adjusting the intensity of the light flux, directions and turning off in groups as needed, for example, so as not to blind oncoming traffic. Cameras and sensors help you navigate, “spotting” an oncoming or passing car.
matrix led light very good, but very expensive. By the way, it is banned in the USA. But xenon was not immediately legalized there.
LASER LIGHTS
Laser headlights are the latest trend, available only in premium for obscene money. In fact, such light is only offered on the BMW i8 and Audi R8 so far, new generations are on the way. Audi sedans. It is no coincidence that engineers started with sports cars - laser lights they shine forward 600 meters, which is important when moving fast.
Blue laser beams falling on special plastic, with the help of a micromirror (Bosch) are converted to white, which illuminate the path. At low speeds, the headlights illuminate the road in breadth, and at high speeds, they “beat” forward. According to manufacturers, compared to matrix LED headlights, "lasers" have greater dynamic resolution and better illuminate objects in the dark. In the US, this technology is not yet allowed by law.
If you drive on a highway with no lighting or on a poorly lit road in the city, then Audi can become indispensable assistant for safety. It is quite possible that new technology can be ideal solution to illuminate the road in complete darkness.
YouTube has posted a new animated video that explains how Matrix LED headlight technology works. At first, the new headlights will be available on cars as an option. But anyone who will buy new car Audi should consider this option, as the new LED headlights are not just some fancy new junk technology, but quite useful option which enhances vehicle safety.
First of all, matrix headlights will appear. As an option on other vehicles, the cost of new LED headlight will be 2,140 Euro (price in Germany).
Recall that for several years the Audi company as front lighting uses LEDs (including for low and high beams). Indeed, new technologies last years were not better than xenon headlights in terms of lighting quality. And now, Audi says that new LED technology has an advantage over xenon headlights due to new technologies that do not dazzle oncoming drivers and do not interfere with vehicles in front.
The innovative system allows you to improve night visibility on the road by changing the headlights and adjusting the brightness. Matrix headlights are currently available on the following vehicles: TT, A7 and A8. IN soon new LED optics will be available.
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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 motorists. Yesterday, xenon, for example, was considered the coolest, but then the auto world started talking about LED headlights and, suddenly, car companies are switching to matrix headlights. Before an oncoming car blinds you laser optics let's try to figure something out.
What are matrix headlights
In general, this is one of the types of headlight design with diode filling. By the way, everyone famous company Audi was one of the first to introduce this decision into their models, calling it - Matrix LED. The light sources remain the same, but an important difference is the organization of the work of these sources.
When reading the characteristics of matrix headlights, the manufacturer often focuses on the number of LEDs involved. For example, each Mercedes Multibeam headlight contains 24 working diodes, and the upgraded 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 reach several tens. Take a relatively affordable Audi model A3 - nine "LED chips" here are responsible for the low beam, and the far beam is on the conscience of ten LEDs. If you take into account the matrix headlights, then you need to pay attention not so much to the number of diodes, but rather to their quality.
Matrix headlight device
Take "simple" LED optics- it reproduces the design that drivers know from the Zhiguli, left over from their grandfathers. The headlight, as before, consists of separate blocks: low beam, high beam, side lights - only modern LEDs have replaced outdated bulbs. Moreover, if you switch from low beam to high beam, then we are not talking about the usual choice, but about creating a dynamic light image that constantly adjusts to road conditions (situation).
The division into near / far, which is familiar to the driver, can be found in the Matrix LED matrix headlight, but we add that you can turn off, turn on and mute here as a separate block of LEDs (by the way, each pair contains five pieces), and each LED separately. Therefore, it turns out that the electronics has many options for setting the high and low beams. An individual light option can be selected for absolutely all occasions, since the number of available is approaching a billion!
Price - lack of matrix headlights
Recently, matrix headlights are increasingly appearing in equipment relatively available cars and, such an example can be called a whole family.
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 headlight) it costs relatively democratic price, then for sure, if necessary, replace at your own expense a headlight broken during an accident, it will quickly come to your mind that antediluvian halogens are not so bad ...
In conclusion, we add that in the near future we will tell you how much it can cost the driver to replace a couple of matrix headlights. As before, you can ask your questions, and we will always answer them.
Leading position in the field of lighting technology belongs to Audi. Since 2013 year Audi installs matrix headlights (Matrix LED headlights) on its flagship model - Audi A8. Matrix headlights raise to new level safety traffic and driving comfort. A pilot project of matrix headlights (Matrix Beam) is being developed by Opel.
The matrix headlight from Audi combines the high beam matrix module, the headlight low beam module, the daytime running light module running lights, side lights and turn signal, designer headlight bezel, air duct with fan and control unit.
High Beam Module consists of 25 LEDs, combined in groups of 5 pieces and together forming matrix. Each group has its own reflector and a metal radiator for cooling. With the help of a matrix of LEDs, about one billion different combinations of light distribution are realized.
Low Beam Module located under the headlight 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, position lights and a direction indicator. Structurally, the module includes 30 serial LEDs.
The location of the lighting modules is emphasized by the design frame. In the matrix headlight is located and the electronic unit management. For forced cooling LED headlight is equipped with an air duct with a fan.
All structural elements Matrix headlights are placed in a plastic case, which serves as the basis for placing the elements and protects them from external influences. From the front, the case is covered with a transparent diffuser.
Matrix headlights have electronic system control, which traditionally includes input devices, a control unit and actuators. The input devices are a video camera and a number of sensors. The camcorder provides information about other vehicles on the road. In the interests of matrix headlights, many sensors of other vehicle systems work: steering wheel angle sensor, speed sensor, sensor ground clearance, light sensor, rain sensor .
If there is a navigation system in the car, route data (traffic pattern, road relief, settlements) are used to control the matrix headlights.
The electronic control unit processes information from input devices and, depending on traffic situation activates (deactivates) certain LEDs. It should be noted that the matrix headlights do not use rotary mechanisms, as in xenon headlights. All operating functions are performed by electronics and static LEDs.
Matrix headlights have several lighting functions:
- polysegmental high beam;
- high beam for motorway;
- passing light;
- static adaptive lighting;
- intersection lighting;
- all-weather lighting;
- illumination of pedestrians;
- dynamic adaptive lighting;
- dynamic direction indicators.
Polysegment high beam allows you to move with a constantly on high beam headlights The main beam of the headlight consists of 25 individual segments (according to the number of LEDs).
When driving at night, the video camera detects oncoming and passing cars by their illumination. As soon as a vehicle is detected, the control system turns off the LEDs that illuminate the vehicle. The rest of the road is fully illuminated. In addition, to avoid dazzling other drivers, the brightness of the on LEDs can be reduced. Matrix headlights can mask up to 8 cars at the same time.
High beam for motorway traffic implemented when receiving information from the navigation system that the car is moving on the highway. The headlight control system narrows the light cone of the high-beam headlights, which corresponds to this type road and traffic.
dipped headlights has a traditional asymmetric shape: the middle part is less illuminated, the roadside is illuminated more.
Static adaptive lighting It is designed to better illuminate the area in front and on the side of the car when making a turn. To do this, three LEDs are used in each of the headlights, which turn on when the steering wheel is turned or the direction indicator is turned on.
Crossroad lighting function serves to better illuminate the approaching intersection. The approach of an intersection is determined by the navigation system, after which the static cornering light LEDs in both headlights turn on.
When driving in bad weather conditions(snow, fog, rain) used all-weather lighting function. It avoids blinding the driver from the light of their headlights. Pressing the corresponding button dims the dipped beam headlights and turns on the static cornering light LEDs in both headlights.
Matrix headlights capable in the dark illuminate pedestrians and animals located on the road or dangerously close to it. To do this, the headlights are combined with a night vision system. When a pedestrian is detected, the headlights flash high beam three times, warning both the pedestrian and the driver.
When the high beam headlights are on, the dynamic cornering lights. When the steering wheel is turned, the brightness of the high beam light beam is transferred from the central part to the direction of the turn by changing the brightness of the LEDs.
Dynamic turn signal represents the controlled movement of the lights in the direction of the turn. To implement this function, 30 consecutive LEDs are turned on in sequence with a frequency of 150 ms. According to the manufacturer, the dynamic direction indicator significantly increases the information content of the car's lighting system.
