The future of LEDs in automotive lighting

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EBV Elektronik GmbH & Co. KG

ROHM Semiconductor GmbH

MEV Elektronik Service GmbH

OSRAM Opto Semiconductors GmbH

The laser light with tiny spot

The visible laser light installed for the first time ever in the headlights of the model BMW i8 is a completely different type of innovation. Invisible infrared laser light has already been used for some time in many automotive safety applications, such as the so-called night vision systems or occupant protection systems. Compared to other fields of application, laser light within a headlamp operates on a different basic principle: Here, the laser beam strikes a fluorescent material, causing it to light up.

The extremely high luminance of laser light enables a tiny spot to be produced on the converter. Laser-based headlamps with a diameter of just 30 mm can hence produce a high beam with a luminous intensity of around 100,000 candelas. To match this luminous intensity, a conventional halogen headlamp would have to be almost seven times larger, with a diameter of around 220 mm. As a result, extremely compact headlights with a much narrower light beam for long distances can be produced, creating completely new design options.

The following innovation represents another positive development in terms of headlight design. It involves an LED prototype recently unveiled by Osram Opto Semiconductors. At 200 megacandelas per m², this LED has three times the luminance of existing versions for these applications and loses less than 10 percent of its intensity even at high operating temperatures of 85 °C. A dipped beam unit measuring only 30 mm x 50 mm generating 1400 lumens from a single LED chip as its light source could be reality in only a few years time.

The high brightness values of this prototype were measured in the laboratory but they should be achieved soon also by series production LEDs. The results of research and development work will be gradually flowing into product development at Osram Opto Semiconductors next year. Together with the use of laser technology which produces very high luminance, a future series LED could lead to extremely compact headlight solutions – with every lighting function smaller than a box of matches. It is conceivable, for example, that headlights will become ultra-compact, comprising a laser high beam and LED dipped beam, and that other automotive applications such as interior lighting and new types of head-up display will follow.

These displays will project important information directly onto the windshield, such as videos of the area directly in front of the car, or navigation instructions, and will be much more vivid and graphic than is the case with existing systems. They will therefore be classed as “augmented reality” displays because they enrich the viewing experience with additional information and therefore create a fresh impression of reality.

Germany plays in the top LED league

These examples show that Germany and in particular Osram lead the field in terms of innovative automotive lighting by a huge distance. Osram Opto Semiconductor is one of the two leading players in the automotive sector, infrared consumer applications, projection and industrial lighting. Each of these markets has its own characteristics which have to be taken into account when developing products.

The lessons learned by Osram in one sector can often be transferred to another sector. In such cases, the problems are often viewed from a different angle, with the result that solutions can be found more quickly. Many ideas for innovations come from direct talks with customers because they only purchase what they really want and need. If a company is aware of this it can conduct research with this aim in mind and develop an innovative product that will be successful. Innovations consequently abound in the automotive lighting sector.

The starting point is often an agreement with partners to work together on a research project. Before an innovation can actually be marketed, however, the ideas of the car manufacturers and setmakers must be reconciled with the functionality of the light source and the statutory regulations. And customer requirements must be respected. If all this is taken into consideration the path will be clear for the next idea.

* Peter Knittl is the director responsible for global LED components for automotive applications at Osram Opto Semiconductors in Regensburg.

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