The front optics of the car is able to change, although not its entire appearance, but by 40% at least. Many manufacturers have begun to use LED optics on their new models. Let's talk about the principle of operation and the design of matrix headlights.
The content of the article:
The leading position in the field of optics is held by Audi company. Since 2013 year Audi began to install matrix optics or better known as Matrix LED headlights on updated model A8. According to the company's engineers, they raise the level of safety and make driving easier.
Initially the base for matrix optics put Opel called Matrix Beam. Compared to conventional optics, matrix headlights are much more complicated. It consists of a low beam module and a high beam module, there are also daytime running lights, marker lights and turn block. The design solution has an air duct with a fan for cooling the mechanisms and a control unit for each headlight.
Far and near beam modules of matrix optics
Despite the complexity of the technology, matrix headlights contain a high and low beam module. Each block is unique in its own way, both in structure and in management. A set of high beam matrix headlights consists of 25 LEDs, combined in five pieces per group. Together they form a high-beam matrix. Each block of matrix headlights of five LEDs has its own separate radiator and reflector. Thanks to this engineering solution, with the help of matrices, about a billion different combinations of light distribution are implemented.
As for the low beam module, it is located under high beam. It contains 15 LEDs. Also, five LEDs per block, but weaker in power. At the very bottom of the optics are daytime running lights, dimensions and LEDs for direction indicators. In total, 30 consecutive LEDs can be counted in such a block of the matrix headlight.
How the matrix headlight works
From the induced information, it can be seen that the matrix headlight is based on LEDs and no other lighting fixtures. Indeed, such a structure will give out much more light than previously known types of optics.
For best view elements of matrix optics were emphasized by a design frame in modern style. All parts of the optics, including the control unit and forced ventilation, are placed in a plastic case, which is also the basis and protects against impact. external factors. The front part of the matrix headlight is covered with a transparent diffuser.
It becomes clear that in the presence of a control unit, the entire monitoring and control system will be electronic, traditionally including input devices and actuators. Various sensors and a video camera are considered as input devices.
The video camera provides information about the presence of other vehicles on the road. Thus, the control unit will switch the high and low beam automatically, adjust the angle and brightness of the optics. If we talk about sensors of matrix optics, then they are often used from other systems, such as the steering angle, vehicle speed sensor, road clearance sensor, light sensor and rain sensor. These sensors are responsible for comfortable ride and timely operation of various systems.
If the car has navigation system, then the control unit of the matrix headlights will use data from the route, the nature of driving the car, the relief of the road and terrain, and also take into account the passage through settlements.
The main role in the matrix headlights is played by the control unit. It processes information received from input devices and, depending on the received data, turns on or off a certain row of LEDs. An innovation worth noting is that matrix optics does not use rotary mechanisms, as was the case with xenon headlights. All functions are performed thanks to static LEDs and matrix headlight electronics.
Variety of illumination functions in matrix optics
The more complex the design of the optics, the more functions it can perform. In matrix optics, there are nine types of lighting functions:
- constant high beam;
- highway lighting;
- proximity lighting;
- adaptive lighting;
- lighting at intersections;
- lighting in any weather;
- illumination of pedestrians;
- adaptive dynamic lighting;
- dynamic turn signal.
Polysegment high beam will allow the driver to drive with the high beam constantly on. In this case, 25 individual high beam LEDs will be used. A video camera will also be used, which in dark time monitors oncoming and passing cars by their headlights for 24 hours. As soon as a car is detected, the control unit turns off some of the LEDs that are directed towards the moving car. The free space of the road will be illuminated in its original form. To reduce the blinding of drivers, the brightness of the remaining block of matrix optics will be reduced. According to the passport, the matrix headlight control unit can simultaneously recognize up to eight cars.
Highway traffic light based on information received from the navigation system. Adaptive system narrows the high-beam cone of the matrix headlights in such a way as to direct as much as possible forward and make it convenient for other drivers.
proximity lighting has a traditional shape, the middle part of the road is less illuminated, but the side part and the shoulder are more. In this case, the matrix optics is directed downward, depending on the topography of the road and the settlement.
adaptive light aims to better illuminate the machine from the front and side during cornering maneuvers. In this case, the matrix headlight system in each of the headlights activates three LEDs that turn on or off when the steering wheel is turned or corners are triggered.
Crossroad lighting designed to illuminate intersections when approaching them. In this case, the navigation system is also used for the matrix headlights, on the basis of which the intersection is determined.
All-weather lighting From the name itself, it says that when driving in bad weather conditions (fog, rain, snow), the quality of lighting will change. The control unit adjusts the LEDs of the matrix optics in such a way as to avoid blinding from their own headlights. The intensity of the matrix headlight LEDs will change depending on visibility.
Highlighting pedestrians in matrix headlights implemented on high level. If a pedestrian is detected using a camera and a night vision system, on the side of the road or dangerously close to it, the optics will signal this with a high beam three times. This alerts both the driver and the pedestrian.
Dynamic adaptive lighting this is the penultimate option in the matrix headlights. The essence of his work is aimed at lighting the road during the turn. turning steering wheel, the brightness of the light beam is redirected from the central part to the direction of rotation. That is, one part of the LEDs becomes dimmer, the other brighter.
Dynamic turn signal Matrix headlights are designed for the controlled movement of the LEDs in the direction of the turn. Thus, 30 consecutive optics LEDs are switched on in series with a frequency of 150 ms. From the outside, it not only looks beautiful, but also gives more information about this or that vehicle maneuver.
Many manufacturers are already preparing their cars for the introduction of such matrix optics technology, but no one can say yet how successful this will be. On this moment Audi is the sole owner of such technology in optics and whether it wants to share with other manufacturers remains in question.
Video about the principle of operation of matrix optics and its structure:
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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 the "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).
Familiar for the driver, the division into near / far can be found in the matrix Headlamp Matrix LED, but let's 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 individually. 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 complex 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, as well as "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, let us add that soon we will tell you how much it can cost a driver to replace a couple of matrix headlights. As before, you can ask your questions, and we will always answer them.
Matrix headlights are one of the design options for LED headlights (not for nothing that Audi, which introduced this solution one of the first, calls it Matrix LED). The light sources are still the same, but the important difference is how the work of these sources is organized.
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 an improved version that will be presented to the public along with the new generation of the E-class, there will already be 28 of them. However, in "ordinary "LED headlights, the number of light sources can easily be several dozen. For example, on a relatively affordable Audi A3, nine "LED chips" are responsible for the dipped beam, and ten LEDs are responsible 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 reproduces the structure known to us from grandfather's Zhiguli: as before, there are separate blocks parking lights, high and low beam - just outdated light bulbs have given way to diodes. The transition is no longer about a simple choice between near and far, but about creating a dynamic light pattern that constantly adjusts to the traffic situation. In the Matrix LED headlight, the usual division by 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, electronics has many options for near and far. There is a lighting scenario for almost all occasions - after all, the number of available combinations is approaching one billion!
Matrix headlights have recently begun to appear even on relatively available models- One of these recently became the Audi A4 family.
It is easy to guess that in order to realize all the capabilities of matrix headlights, firstly, complex control electronics are needed, and secondly, a system of devices that read information about the road situation - sensors, video cameras and even a navigation system that will warn you about approaching a turn and tell you about its configuration. So, 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, you can quickly change the headlight broken in an accident, it may not be so, maybe the antediluvian halogens are bad ... No wonder newfangled optics one of the first came to our heading with the telling title "Counted - shed a tear." Can you guess how much it will cost to replace a pair of headlights? Correct answer .
P.S. Over the past year and a half, we have already answered 48 simple questions(their full list) - and we don't want to stop. You can still leave your questions in the comments - and we will continue to look for answers.
Matrix LED technology in Audi vehicles latest generation if it didn’t revolutionize road lighting standards (after all, the main competitors also have cool solutions), then it has reached the very, very edge of progress. The car, equipped with LED headlights with matrix modules, is able to recognize cars on the road by itself, masterfully juggling a light beam.
Let's see how the manufacturer himself describes his development:
Audi Matrix LED technology consists in the fact that the main beam emitted by LEDs is divided into several separate segments. Separate LEDs, working simultaneously with lenses or reflectors, provide illumination invariably High Quality without the need for a rotary mechanism - instead, the LEDs are individually turned on, off or dimmed.
From an Audi press release
LED Audi headlights Matrix LED receive the necessary information from the camera, navigation system or other sensors. When the camera recognizes other vehicles, the high beam divided into several zones is blocked in certain sub-zones. Even in difficult situations, headlights can illuminate areas between several vehicles. The high beam actually guides the driver down the road.
From an Audi press release
Audi LED headlights emit light at a temperature of 5500 Kelvin, which is almost daylight. This helps your eyes at night to perceive the environment with more contrast and relieve them of stress.
From an Audi press release
It's hard to disagree - the future is definitely behind LED headlights, which are more durable and more economical than halogen and gas-discharge (xenon) counterparts. Moreover, AvtoVesti has already tested several Audi cars with matrix headlights and personally convinced of 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 section of the headlight. If earlier similar systems they just turned off the high beam or opened the curtain, now it’s really intelligent system light control.
On the new Audi A6, the surcharge for LED optics Matrix LED is not sky-high 128 thousand rubles. Judge for yourself - even the optional "music" Bang & Olufsen 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 column is called "Counted, wept." Even though the optics are usually not changed for no reason, and the service life of LEDs is about 20 years, we now and then see burnt out headlights and lanterns on new cars. And no one canceled the possibility of getting into an accident. And if so, AvtoVesti decided to ask the official representative brand Audi the cost of replacing such high-tech headlights ...
After analyzing the obtained numbers, you can completely do without chopping onions - here anyone will cry with cow's tears. Only one LED headlight with a matrix module will cost 254,175 rubles, and two will cost 508,350 rubles. The work of replacing both headlights in the official service will cost 9,600 rubles, total - 517,950 rubles!
Spare parts
Replacement work
The numbers are especially impressive when you take into account the cost of the "regular" bi-xenon head optics that are present in basic equipment Audi A6, and the efficiency of which, by the way, no one complains. One headlight for a gas discharge lamp costs only 63,135 rubles apiece - four times cheaper than LED ones!
However, it is too early to completely lose hope of the LED future. First, LEDs are indeed exceptionally reliable. Therefore, the chance of them breaking is very low. Secondly, at first the headlights are protected by a guarantee, and then by the Kulanz program, which just covers the cost of defective parts. Thirdly, according to our calculations, the prices for modern light sources fall by 2 times every 4 years, so by 2018 brand new headlights will no longer be suitable for the object of study in our studies. Let's count laser!
P.S. If you think that there is nothing so terribly expensive in your car, then you simply have not read our new research, stay tuned. We promise new tears every week. :)
Audi was one of the first to use LED headlights in its models, and before that - xenon, adaptive light with turning mechanisms ... Now you will not surprise anyone with LED headlights - many manufacturers began to offer them as optional equipment. But Audi went further by developing matrix LED headlights. The development was called "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 controlled by electronics. This whole design is devoid of rotary 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 blocks or turn them off. The system comes into operation when the car reaches 60 km/h in the city, or after 30 km/h on the highway.
The presence of such lighting technology allows you not to blind the drivers in front Vehicle, illuminate road signs and pedestrians, "look" around the turn.
A car with matrix headlights is equipped with a special camera that monitors road conditions. If the camera sees a car moving towards a meeting, it will give a signal on-board computer and he will turn on and turn off the groups of diodes in turn, so that the oncoming car remains in the shade, and the rest of the road is still illuminated. The principle of operation 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 rotation. This Audi Matrix LED helps the navigation system, which transmits information about the next bends, approaching which the headlights are directed in advance in the direction of the upcoming turn.
Also, the matrix headlights made friends with the night vision system, which recognizes pedestrians who are close to the roadway, reporting their coordinates to the system, and it directs the light at the pedestrian (top photo), warning him of an approaching car by 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. Part of the Matrix LED are dynamic direction indicators: the LEDs in the "turn signals" light up sequentially in the direction of rotation with an interval of 150 milliseconds. How it works is shown in the photo on the right.
First Audi technology Matrix LED 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.
