Experts in construction chemicals KREISEL

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,

the range of the beam pattern is lifted to a maximum without dazzling other drivers.

By offering mechatronically controlled adaptive reflectors, BMW once again initiated a new innovation in automotive frontlighting technology.

Audi: Electronically controlled adaptive multi-reflector system

The high-end version of the latest Audi TT (MY2015) is equipped with all-LED headlamps using a low beam projector electronic light module called an ‘e-light’, and reflectors for the adaptive light functions. The light distribution is controlled by sophisticated integrated electronics. The headlamp impresses with its linear ‘matrix’ high beam function and the progressive turn signal function.

Individually addressable LEDs in segmented reflectors

The linear ‘matrix high beam’ is realized by three segmented reflectors. Two of them use one five-chip LED each which generate the glarefree high beam distribution. The third separate reflector unit, sitting inbound close to the bend light reflector, is powered by two single LEDs. One of them is responsible for the additional spot, the other for the side illumination.

All LED chips can be individually activated: Once the camera detects oncoming or proceeding traffic, the information is transmitted to the electronic control unit which controls the relevant LED chips and switches them off in order to avoid dazzling other drivers. When the oncoming car moves closer, the first chips are modulated again. The process moves on as the other drivers pass without any risk from light glare.

Mercedes-Benz: ‘Multibeam’ double projector concept

The optimum combination of advantages of the intelligent electronic control and mechatronic actuation embodies the headlamp of Mercedes-Benz CLS (C218 facelift) using two projector modules per headlamp to overlay the light distribution. Referring to driving safety and regarding technological innovation, this headlamp sets new standards. Particular attention is paid to the glarefree high beam function which Mercedes-Benz calls ‘MULTIBEAM LED’.

Milliseconds away

The outboard module ‘LFX’ is the core element of this intelligent frontlighting system. It is powered by one four-chip LED array. Equipped with a stepper motor controlled three-dimensionally defined rotating shutter drum, it generates incrementally adjusted light distribution. This shutter drum is located in the middle of the module between the semiconductor light sources and the carefully shaped lens. This multi-function spot module generates the basic light distributions including flat cut-off line, country road light, motorway light and the ‘glarefree high beam’ function. Using an additional vertically adjusting stepper motor, it can allow drivers to increase speed and still use the high beam light without dazzling other drivers. The camera provides the information for maximum range enhancement. The integrated horizontal stepper motor is generating a dynamic curve light and supports the adjustment of the beam pattern during adverse weather conditions. This LFX-module is equipped with integrated thermo-management by integrated NTC-elements, a passive heat sink and a motor-driven active ventilator.

The inbound ‘PHB’ module complements the light distribution. This camera controlled module is equipped with a pattern of 24 single LEDs on a rigid board with integrated electronics. A complex, numerically calculated brush-like collimation optic captures the emitted light from the activated chips, bundles and re-orientates the light rays towards the secondary lens which generates the light beam pattern for the road. In a flash, the light distribution adapts precisely to each given traffic situation: The integrated control units calculate the light distribution 100 times per second and the 24 high performance LEDs of the ‘MULTIBEAM LED’ module generate 16 individually controlled high-beam segments. The camera located behind the windscreen detects other traffic and multi-beam segments can be switched off within 10 milliseconds if necessary. When the view ahead is clear, the full light beam is activated again.

Benefits of the glarefree high beam

Carmakers do their best to combine light performance with extremely precise light distribution on the road to ensure night driving is safe experience. Automotive Lighting has developed and provides all the above-mentioned systems, including the various combinations of electronic and mechatronic control concepts. n

KREISEL Technika Budowlana (KREISEL Engineering Construction) is a leading Polish manufacturer of adhesives for ceramic tiles, plasters, gypsum, insulation systems and many other products for the construction industry. Its offer includes more than 120 products. The company’s leading products are elegant facade plasters, of which it has 13 kinds in different structures, and granulations, in more than 3500 colour variations.

EXPERTS IN CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS

KREISEL has been operating on the Polish market since 1993. Its headquarters is in Poznan, the site of its first plant in Poland and its management and marketing centre. Today the company has six manufacturing plants: in Poznan, in Bedzin near Katowice, in Ujazd near Tomaszow Mazowiecki, in Kaliska Kujawskie near Lubien, in Rogowiec near Belchatow, and its latest production facility is located in Ostroleka. Since 2005, the company has also operated the EuroKrusz aggregates and sands mine in Nowe Miasto on the Pilica River. Four plants produce chemicals for the construction industry. The other two make gypsum products. The newest facility was launched in 2011 in Ostroleka. It is a modern plant for gypsum production, based on material from a nearby power plant. The Ostroleka unit produces a wide range of machine-gypsum plasters.

The company is the subsidiary of the German FIXIT GROUP, which is the European holding group for building materials companies such as Hasit, ROFIX, Fixit and Kreisel. The group is present in 19 countries with 62 plants and up to 12,000 employees. KREISEL in Poland is in nearly 90 per cent owned by the German company, while the remaining shares are in the hands of KREISEL’s President, Mr Szczepan Gawłowski. The company’s annual sales are estimated as PLN 300 million. Its daily production capacity is approximately 4000 tons.

KREISEL and its products have received the most important Polish economic and consumer distinctions, amongst them: Polish Promotional Emblem ‘Poland Now’ (two times), ‘the Market Leader’, the MTP BUDMA Gold Medals (six of them), ‘the Good, because it is Polish’ certificate , nine ‘BCC European Medals’, ‘Approved Partner’ and ‘Solid Company’ titles and many others.

Focus on the domestic market

The company’s activities are directed primarily at the construction market in Poland, and its mission is the production of high-quality