Hella shrinks taillight optics to micro dimensions
As in electronics in general, the miniaturisation trend is also unstoppable in the automotive industry in order to reduce installation space and weight and thus ultimately save energy. Vehicle components that are visible to the outside also have the task of conveying an emotional message (in marketing parlance: brand identity) and thus appealing to the customer. A new technology developed by the lighting and electronics specialist Hella for combination rear lamps is intended to fulfil this double task. FlatLight technology is intended to combine functionality and design.
This is made possible by an innovative light guide concept based on micro-optics. These are optical lenses smaller than a grain of salt. The optics, which are only a few micrometres in size, allow the diffraction properties of light to be utilised. “This will fundamentally change light signatures as we have known them up to now,” believes Frank Huber, who is the Managing Director responsible for the Lighting Division at Hella.
One advantage of the new concept is that less energy is required compared to other technologies. For example, only one watt is needed to represent all tail light functionalities. Indicator, brake and tail light can be implemented in only one optical element. Previously, individual chambers were necessary for this. In addition, multi-colour combinations, such as those required for tail light/turn signal or daytime running light/turn signal, are also possible in just one element. The shape of the individual optical elements can be freely designed. Elaborate welcome and farewell scenarios can be designed and implemented directly via the Hella software interface. In addition, fonts, logos and other graphics can be displayed.
The construction of the Hella FlatLight, which is only a few millimetres thin, offers greater freedom of design, and not only with regard to the design. The implementation with micro-optics (FlatLight µMX) is only one possibility for constructing the combination rearlight. Depending on the customer’s wishes and requirements, other technologies can also be used, such as nanoparticles. These make it possible, for example, to have three-dimensionally curved optical elements which follow the contours of a vehicle and thus also lead to a reduction in installation space and weight savings, among other things.
Hella has been active in the combination rearlight sector for decades. In 2001, the company integrated the first LED light guide rods in headlamps and combination rear lamps. With the FlatLight approach, Hella is now setting a further milestone. The company is currently in intensive talks with customers about the new technology and plans to launch it on the market within the next three years. The first FlatLight variants have already been released for series production.
More information: https://www.hella.com/hella-com/en/index.html
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