Recent developments in the automobile market have led to a demand for new vertically elongated headlamps. In current headlamps using parabola or complex shapes, the minimal horizontal aperture for the low beam is limited by performance requirements regarding flux and range. This limitation (5 inch or 120 mm) involves restrictions in vehicle styling.
Thanks to the new Complex Shape called “SCV” (“Surfaces Complexes Verticalisées” in French) presented in this paper, it is now possible to reduce headlamp width to a significant extent, without having to use Ellipsoid technology.
The average dimensions developed in this project are 80 mm wide × 150 mm high for the low beam (instead of 150 × 80 in current complex shape reflectors) and 80 mm wide × 120 mm high for the high beam.
New specific complex shapes have been developed incorporating special solutions for range (ECE and US beam pattern) and other solutions giving increased width. This procures a beam with light distribution comparable with current Complex Shape reflectors while performances are typically the same as those of a “horizontal” clear lens complex shape of the same dimensions (400 Lm for the current aperture described here).
In addition, these solutions allow new opportunities and flexibility with regard to location (the headlamp has a natural inclination). New bulb access points and reduced depth leaves more space for the engine compartment. The new form of the vertical complex shapes allows fresh approaches to headlamp styling (with many different combinations) and of course new bodywork designs and vehicles effects. These effects can be enhanced by using linear technology for rear lamps, as described in the paper “Signal Lamp System - Vertical Linear Technology”