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1 In 2008 the first full LED (LED = Light Emitting Diode) headlamp will arrive to the worlds markets, providing all lighting functions with semiconductor based light emitting devices, LED. The first Full LED headlamp differs in style and technology from other headlamps. Target was to find a face that fulfils the demands of the stylists and also gives the possibility to be assembled, to fulfill customer specs and legal requirements. Fulfilling this, the development showed various intermediate steps. As LED is still a evolving technology, mature and fixed technical solutions were and are not always existing. So technical solutions had to be developed under the constraints of new technology and regarding the existing mechanical and electrical environment in the car.

After about one decade HID headlamps are available on all major market areas. Since the design and manufacturing possibilities have changed in that period, the current light performance will be reviewed in the paper. The market penetration in the three major markets shows obvious differences. The penetration related to car platforms and classes will be discussed. It will be shown that HID headlamps have different penetration level in US, Japan and Europe. Additionally, the future styling development will be evaluated by the technical possiblities given today using reflector/projector type and additional illuminated areas. A future styling trend will be estimated for the three different markets. The future application of HID headlamps in adaptive lighting systems will be analyzed.

Adaptive Lighting systems generate different lighting patterns according to the environmental situation that is evaluated by electronic control units. On one side, the photometrical performance will be shown in measurements, e.g. photometric data and visibility/detection distances, reaction distances and braking distance calculation. A second approach will be the evaluation how the improved light performance is accepted by the driver when driving adaptive lighting systems. It can be assumed that the fact that during night time driving the fixation is mostly oriented in front of the car in illuminated areas, the visible change of light performance will lead to clear statements about acceptance among drivers. For this reason, a questionnaire is currently evaluated in order to find an acceptance rating for the different driving situations. The paper will address both fields of interest and describe the results in terms of traffic safety and comfort acceptance.

Adaptive Lighting Systems approach the market by showing additional value to the customer. Different possibilities are discussed like additional modules that are switched on, light sources with power controlled luminous output (‘“dimming”) or modules which are enabled to swivel parts of the light distribution or swiveling the full light distribution itself. The result can be measured in photometric parameters as luminous flux, candelas or lux or as well in geometrical parameters as range, sidespread, covered area etc. This paper will add to the usual photometric discussion of the new technologies another aspect: The way a standard driver experiences and accepts the new and rather unused technology of adaptive lighting systems.

Adaptive Frontlighting Systems (AFS) generate different lighting patterns according to the environmental situation that is evaluated by electronic control units. Especially the Motorway function will be investigated in the paper. 1 On one side, the photometrical performance will be shown in measurements, e.g photometric data and comparison to the existing driving situations with standard headlamps. 2 The improvements of an AFS motorway function are investigated in visibility/detection distances, reaction distances and braking distance calculation. The results will be presented at the lecture. 3 A new approach will be the evaluation how the improved light performance is accepted by the driver when driving adaptive lighting systems. It can be assumed that the fact that during night time driving the fixation is mostly oriented in front of the car in illuminated areas, the visible change of light performance will lead to clear statements about acceptance among drivers.

The characteristics of the semiconductor based Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is completely different to the characteristics of traditional light source used in automotive exterior front lighting systems. The characteristics include not only optical items, but also electrical, mechanical and temperature issues. These characteristics make new approaches in the field of automotive headlamp development necessary. Due to the designer's wishes, the LEDs must be mounted on a 3-dimensional surface with small tolerances to the associated optics. High power LEDs create a lot of heat, so that they have to be assembled with a cooling device. The generated heat should be used for defogging and deicing of the outer lens of the headlamp. Electrical drivers are needed to keep the current through the LED constant. All new technical challenges will lead to more stylistic freedom