adjust the shape of the cut-off-line. When controlling electronically, the LED light sources are dimmed or switched on and off in order to offer the best visibility to the driver and to limit glare for other drivers.
VW: the initiator of glarefree high beam The Adaptive Frontlighting Xenon System (AFX) developed for Volkswagen cars was the first example of glarefree high beam as enhanced adaptive frontlighting functions. As early as in 2010, the series production of Volkswagen models equipped them with the AFX module. The function, called ‘masked high beam’ at VW, became a wellknown term.
Swivelling projector modules – adaptive functions using mechatronics The core element of the headlamp of the Volkswagen Touran is the centrally located 70mm AFX projector module, generating all main frontlighting functions with one D3S
Xenon bulb. The module is equipped with a stepper motor operated triple-layer shutter. Continuously adapting, the shutter creates various shapes of cut-off lines. Complementary projector modules in both headlamps are swivelled and levelled by means of integrated stepper motors. Jointly, they ensure various lighting functions including glarefree high beam. The detected traffic partners are omitted and glare for other drivers is avoided.
BMW: First swivelling LED reflectors in the market As a pioneer in projector technology since 1986 and a leader in dynamically operated projectors since 2003, BMW initiated the market introduction of dynamic reflectors for adaptive frontlighting in 2013. Automotive Lighting developed these lighting innovations, alongside the first all-LED headlamp to offer dynamic curve light through horizontally rotated reflectors.
Adaptive functions using electro-mechanical actuators Basically, each headlamp of this BMW option consists of two double reflectors and incorporates such adaptive functions as glarefree high beam, dynamic curve light and static bend light. Both reflectors of one unit are divided into two parts by design elements in the form of horizontal blinds. The reflectors are vertically adjustable by means of stepper motors. Additionally, the outboard reflector is also swivelled horizontally by another stepper motor. The two reflectors in the bottom of both units jointly provide the full high beam. In the case of oncoming or proceeding traffic, the inboard high beam reflector is switched off. From this moment on, the chambers of the glarefree high beam (outer reflectors) in both headlamps of the car take over the masked high beam distribution. They swivel horizontally by means of stepper motors and, in doing so, they omit the oncoming or proceeding cars. Using vertical stepper motor, Industry Europe 39
