Abstract:
A bifunctional LED headlamp for a vehicle is disclosed, wherein at least one of a shield, a lens, a reflector, and an LED are movable to facilitate use of the headlamp in both a low beam mode and a high beam mode.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The invention relates to a lighting module and more particularly to a bifunctional LED headlamp for a vehicle, wherein the headlamp facilitates use in both a low beam mode and a high beam mode.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Vehicle headlamps are required to include both a low beam mode and a high beam mode. Typically, the headlamp includes at least one light source and a reflector to direct light energy in a desired direction.  
         [0003]     More recently, light emitting diodes or LED&#39;s have been used as a light source in vehicle headlamps. Typically, a plurality of LED lighting modules is required to result in a desired light intensity. Thus, the headlamp may include a plurality of individual lighting modules having one or more LED light sources disposed therein. Additionally, each individual lighting module typically has a dedicated function such as beam spread, hot spot, or cut-off, for example.  
         [0004]     In prior art headlamps, to reach a desired intensity the number of LED lighting modules may approach 10 modules for the low beam mode, and 12 for the high beam mode. Each module also requires some form of thermal management. Thus, a large volume is required to package the lighting modules. As the desired requirements for headlamps continue to increase, the packaging volume requirements also increase. This results in additional space requirements in a vehicle, which is undesirable.  
         [0005]     It would be desirable to produce a headlamp for a vehicle wherein the headlamp facilitates an economic and an efficient use in both a low beam mode and a high beam mode.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     Consistent and consonant with the present invention, a headlamp for a vehicle wherein the headlamp facilitates an economic and an efficient use in both a low beam mode and a high beam mode, has surprisingly been discovered.  
         [0007]     In one embodiment, the lighting module comprises a light-emitting element adapted to be connected to a source of electricity; a reflector disposed adjacent the light-emitting element and adapted to reflect light rays emitted from the light-emitting element in a desired direction; a shield spaced from the reflector in the desired direction and adapted to reflect the light rays directed on an upper surface thereof; and a lens spaced from the reflector and the shield in the desired direction and disposed in a path of the light rays, wherein at least one of the shield and the lens are movable to change the lighting module between operation in a low beam mode and a high beam mode.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the lighting module comprises a light-emitting element adapted to be connected to a source of electricity; and a reflector disposed adjacent the light-emitting element and adapted to reflect light rays emitted from the light-emitting element in a desired direction, wherein at least one of the light-emitting element and the reflector is movable with respect to an other of the light-emitting element and the reflector to change the lighting module between operation in a low beam mode and a high beam mode.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, a headlamp for a vehicle comprises a headlamp body; and a plurality of lighting modules disposed in the headlamp body, wherein the modules including at least one of: a first lighting module comprising a light-emitting element adapted to be connected to a source of electricity; a reflector disposed adjacent the light-emitting element and adapted to reflect light rays emitted from the light-emitting element in a desired direction; a shield spaced from the reflector in the desired direction and adapted to reflect the light rays directed on an upper surface thereof; and a lens spaced from the reflector and the shield in the desired direction and disposed in a path of the light rays, wherein one of the shield and the lens are movable to change the lighting module between operation in a low beam mode and a high beam mode; and a second lighting module comprising a light-emitting element adapted to be connected to a source of electricity; and a reflector disposed adjacent the light-emitting element and adapted to reflect light rays emitted from the light-emitting element in a desired direction, wherein the light-emitting element is movable with respect to the reflector to change the lighting module between operation in a low beam mode and a high beam mode. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a lighting module of a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the invention and showing the lighting module in a low beam mode;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the lighting module of  FIG. 1  and showing the lighting module in a first high beam mode;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the lighting module of  FIG. 1  and showing the lighting module in a second high beam mode;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the lighting module of  FIG. 1  and showing the lighting module in a third high beam mode;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the lighting module of  FIG. 1  and showing the lighting module in a fourth high beam mode;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a front view showing a vehicle headlamp according to an embodiment of the invention and including a plurality of the lighting modules illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side cross-sectional view of a lighting module of a vehicle headlamp according to another embodiment of the invention and showing the lighting module in a low beam mode;  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side cross-sectional view of the lighting module of  FIG. 7  showing the lighting module in a first high beam mode;  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the lighting module of  FIGS. 7 and 8 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top view of the lighting module of  FIGS. 7-9 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 11  is a front view showing a vehicle headlamp according to another embodiment of the invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a lighting module for a high beam mode;  
         [0023]      FIG. 13  is a top view of the lighting module of  FIG. 12 ; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 14   FIG. 11  is a front view showing a vehicle headlamp according to another embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0025]     The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.  
         [0026]      FIGS. 1-4  show a lighting module  10  of a projector-reflector type according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 1  shows the lighting module  10  in a low beam mode and  FIGS. 2-4  show the lighting module  10  in a high beam mode. The module  10  includes a semiconductor light-emitting element  12  such as a light emitting diode (LED), for example. It is understood that additional light-emitting elements  12  can be used as desired. The light-emitting element  12  is connected to a source of electricity (not shown) and is disposed adjacent a reflector  14 . In the embodiment shown, the reflector  14  is an ellipsoidal type, although other reflector types may be used as desired. An inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  has a substantially ellipsoidal shape and is adapted to reflect light in a desired direction.  
         [0027]     A movable shield  18  is spaced from the light-emitting element  12  and the reflector  14  in the same direction as the reflected light. The shield  18  is movable in any direction as desired such as vertical as indicated by the arrow V illustrated in  FIG. 2  and horizontal as indicated by the arrow H illustrated in  FIG. 4 . An upper surface  20  of the shield  18  is adapted to reflect light directed thereon.  
         [0028]     A lens  22  is further spaced from the light-emitting element  12  and the reflector  14  in the direction of the reflected light. In the embodiment shown, the lens  22  is a condenser lens, although other lens types can be used as desired. A first side  24  of the lens  22  is substantially planar and a second side  26  of the lens  22  has a convex shape.  
         [0029]     In use in a low beam mode as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a first set of light rays  28  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  of the lighting module  10 . The first set of light rays  28  is reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18 . The first set of light rays  28  is reflected from the upper surface  20  of the shield  18 . Then, the first set of light rays  28  is directed to the first side  24  of the lens  22  and passes therethrough. Upon exiting the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the first set of light rays  28  is caused to be directed in a downward direction from horizontal by the lens  22 . Thus, the first set of light rays  28  forms a pattern consistent with the low beam mode.  
         [0030]     A second set of light rays  30  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  with the first set of light rays  28 . The second set of light rays  30  is reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18 . However, the second set of light rays  30  is not directed on the upper surface  20  of the shield  18 . The second set of light rays  30  bypass the shield  18 , enter the first side  24  of the lens  22 , pass through the lens  22 , and exit the second side  26  of the lens  22 . Upon exiting the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the second set of light rays  30  is directed in a downward direction from horizontal. The resulting pattern formed by the second set of light rays  30  is consistent with the low beam mode.  
         [0031]     In use in a first high beam mode as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first set of light rays  28  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  of the lighting module  10 . The first set of light rays  28  is reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18 . In the first high beam mode, the shield  18  has been caused to be moved downwardly from the position shown in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown, the shield  18  has been moved downwardly by approximately one (1) millimeter, although the shield  18  can be moved other distances and other directions as desired to result in different desired patterns formed by the first set of light rays  28 . The first set of light rays  28  is reflected from a different portion of the upper surface  20  of the shield  18  from that shown in  FIG. 1  and at a greater distance from the light-emitting element  12  and the reflector  14 . Thus, when the first set of light rays  28  is directed to the first side  24  of the lens  22 , the first set of light rays  28  impinge upon a different area of the first side  24  of the lens  22  and pass therethrough. Upon exiting the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the first set of light rays  28  is caused to be directed in an upward direction from horizontal by the lens  22 . The first set of light rays  28  form a pattern consistent with the first high beam mode.  
         [0032]     The second set of light rays  30  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  with the first set of light rays  28 . The path of the second set of light rays  30  is the same as described above for  FIG. 1 . The second set of light rays  30  is reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18 . However, the second set of light rays  30  bypass the shield  18 , enter the first side  24  of the lens  22 , pass through the lens  22 , and exit the second side  26  of the lens  22 . Upon exiting the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the second set of light rays  30  is directed in a downward direction from horizontal. The resulting pattern formed by the second set of light rays  30  is consistent with the low beam mode.  
         [0033]     In use in a second high beam mode as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first set of light rays  28  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  of the lighting module  10 . The first set of light rays  28  is reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18  and the lens  22 . In the second high beam mode, the shield  18  has been caused to be moved downwardly from the position shown in  FIG. 1  and entirely out of the path of travel of the first set of light rays  28 . The first set of light rays  28  is directed to and enters the first side  24  of the lens  22 , and pass therethrough. When the first set of light rays  28  exit the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the first set of light rays  28  is caused to be directed in an upward direction from horizontal by the lens  22 . The first set of light rays  28  form a pattern consistent with the second high beam mode.  
         [0034]     The second set of light rays  30  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  with the first set of light rays  28 . The path of the second set of light rays  30  is the same as described above for  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The second set of light rays  30  is reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18 . However, the second set of light rays  30  bypass the shield  18 , enter the first side  24  of the lens  22 , pass through the lens  22 , and exit the second side  26  of the lens  22 . Upon exiting the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the second set of light rays  30  is directed in a downward direction from horizontal. The resulting pattern formed by the second set of light rays  30  is consistent with the low beam mode.  
         [0035]     A third high beam mode is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The first set of light rays  28  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  of the lighting module  10  and reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18  and the lens  22 . In the third high beam mode, the shield  18  has been caused to be moved horizontally away from the light-emitting element  12  and the reflector  14  and towards the lens  22  from the position shown in  FIG. 1 . It is understood that the shield  18  can be moved any desired distance to result in different desired patterns formed by the first set of light rays  28 . The first set of light rays  28  is reflected from the upper surface  20  of the shield  18  and is directed to the first side  24  of the lens  22  and pass therethrough. Upon exiting the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the first set of light rays  28  is caused to be directed both in an upward direction and a downward direction from horizontal by the lens  22 . Thus, the first set of light rays  28  forms a pattern consistent with both the low beam mode and the third high beam mode.  
         [0036]     The second set of light rays  30  is emitted from the light-emitting element  12  with the first set of light rays  28 . The second set of light rays  30  is reflected from the inner surface  16  of the reflector  14  towards the shield  18 . However, the second set of light rays  30  bypass the shield  18 , enter the first side  24  of the lens  22 , pass through the lens  22 , and exit the second side  26  of the lens  22 . However, it is understood that if the reflector  14  is moved a predetermined distance, that all or a substantial portion of the light rays emitted from the light-emitting element  12  could be reflected from the surface  20  thereof. Upon exiting the second side  26  of the lens  22 , the second set of light rays  30  is directed in a downward direction from horizontal. The resulting pattern formed by the second set of light rays  30  is consistent with the low beam mode.  
         [0037]      FIG. 5  shows a lighting module  40  of a projector-reflector type according to another embodiment of the invention in a high beam mode. The module  40  has a similar structure to that illustrated in  FIG. 1  including a semiconductor light-emitting element  42  such as a light emitting diode (LED), for example. It is understood that additional light-emitting elements  42  can be used as desired. The light-emitting element  42  is connected to a source of electricity (not shown) and is disposed adjacent a reflector  44 . In the embodiment shown, the reflector  44  is an ellipsoidal type, although it is understood that other reflector types may be used as desired. An inner surface  46  of the reflector  44  has a substantially ellipsoidal shape and is adapted to reflect light in a desired direction.  
         [0038]     A shield  48  is spaced from the light-emitting element  42  and the reflector  44  in the same direction as the reflected light. An upper surface  50  of the shield  48  is adapted to reflect light directed thereon.  
         [0039]     A movable lens  52  is further spaced from the light-emitting element  42  and the reflector  44  in the direction of the reflected light. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the lens  52  is movable in the vertical direction as indicated by the arrow L. However, it is understood that the lens  52  can be moved in other directions as desired, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. In the embodiment shown, the lens  52  is a condenser lens, although other lens types can be used as desired. A first side  54  of the lens  52  is substantially planar, and a second side  56  of the lens  52  has a convex shape.  
         [0040]     In use, a first set of light rays  58  is emitted from the light-emitting element  42  of the lighting module  40 . The first set of light rays  58  is reflected from the inner surface  46  of the reflector  44  towards the shield  48 . The first set of light rays  58  is reflected from the upper surface  50  of the shield  48  and directed to the first side  54  of the lens  52 . The lens  52  illustrated in  FIG. 5  has been moved upwardly from the position shown in  FIG. 1  as indicated by the arrow L. The first set of light rays  58  is reflected from the reflector  44  to impinge upon a different part of the first side  54  of the lens  52  from that shown in  FIG. 1 . The first set of light rays  58  pass through the lens  52  and exit the second side  56  of the lens  52 . Upon exiting the second side  56  of the lens  52 , the first set of light rays  58  is caused to be directed in an upward direction from horizontal. Thus, the first set of light rays  58  forms a pattern consistent with the high beam mode.  
         [0041]     A second set of light rays  60  is emitted from the light-emitting element  42  with the first set of light rays  58 . The second set of light rays  60  is reflected from the inner surface  46  of the reflector  44  towards the shield  48 . However, the second set of light rays  60  is not directed on the upper surface  50  of the shield  48 . The second set of light rays  60  bypass the shield  48 , enter the first side  54  of the lens  52 , pass through the lens  52 , and exit the second side  56  of the lens  52 . Upon exiting the second side  56  of the lens  52 , the second set of light rays  60  is directed in an upward direction from horizontal. The resulting pattern formed by the second set of light rays  60  is consistent with the high beam mode.  
         [0042]     It is understood that the lens  52  can be moved any distance and in any direction to result in a desired pattern of the first set of light rays  58  and the second set of light rays  60 . It is further understood that the movable shield  18  of  FIGS. 1-4  can be combined with the movable lens  52  of  FIG. 5  to provide additional fine tuning and adjustment of the first set of light rays  58  and the second set of light rays  60  to result in a desired pattern.  
         [0043]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of a vehicle headlamp  70  according to an embodiment of the invention. The headlamp  70  includes a headlamp body  72 . The body  72  houses a plurality of lighting modules  10  therein. Although shown arranged in rows, it is understood that the lighting modules  10  can be otherwise arranged as desired. Alternatively, the lighting modules  40 , a combination of the lighting modules  10 ,  40 , or the light modules  10 ,  40  combined with other lighting module types can be housed in the body  72  without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0044]     In use, the headlamp  70  can be operated in a low beam mode or a high beam mode. In the low beam mode, the shield  18  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, the first set of light rays  28  and the second set of light rays  30  form a pattern consistent with the low beam mode. To operate in the high beam mode, the shield  18  is caused to be moved to a position as shown in one of  FIGS. 2-4 . Thus, the first set of light rays  28  and the second set of light rays  30  form a pattern consistent with both the low beam mode and the high beam mode. It will be understood that each of the different positions of the shield  18  shown in  FIGS. 2-4  will produce different resultant lighting patterns of the low beam mode and the high beam mode. Therefore, a desired pattern can be chosen and the shield  18  of the lighting module  10  positioned as necessary to result in the desired pattern. This permits the headlamp  70  to be adapted to a variety of driving conditions. Additional desired patterns including the low beam mode and the high beam mode can be produced by using the lighting modules  40 , combinations of the lighting modules  10 ,  40 , or the light modules  10 ,  40  with other lighting module types.  
         [0045]      FIGS. 7-8  show a lighting module  80  of a reflector type according to an embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  shows the lighting module  80  in a low beam mode and  FIG. 8  shows the lighting module  80  in a high beam mode. The module  80  includes a movable semiconductor light-emitting element  82  which is movable in any direction as desired such as horizontal as indicated by the arrow F illustrated in  FIG. 8 . The light-emitting element  82  can be any conventional type such as a light emitting diode (LED), for example. It is understood that additional light-emitting elements  82  can be used as desired, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . The light-emitting element  82  is connected to a source of electricity (not shown).  
         [0046]     A reflector  84  is disposed adjacent the light-emitting element  82 . In the embodiment shown, the reflector  84  is a trough type, although other reflector types may be used as desired. An inner surface  86  of the reflector  84  has a substantially parabolic shape and is adapted to reflect light in a desired direction. A pair of spaced apart side walls  88  is disposed on opposing sides of the inner surface  86  of the reflector  84 . As clearly shown in  FIG. 10 , the side walls  88  are curved outwardly away from each other. The resultant convex inner surface facilitates reflecting light in the desired direction and a smooth distribution of the light at both ends of the pattern.  
         [0047]     In use in a low beam mode as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a set of light rays  90  is emitted from the light-emitting element  82  of the lighting module  80 . The light rays  90  are reflected from the inner surface  86  of the reflector  84  and out of the reflector  84  in a desired direction. The light rays  90  are caused to be directed in a downward direction from horizontal by the reflector  84 . Thus, the light rays  90  form a pattern consistent with a low beam mode.  
         [0048]     In use in a high beam mode as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the light-emitting element  82  has been caused to be moved horizontally forward from the position shown in  FIG. 7 . The light rays  90  are emitted from the light-emitting element  82  of the lighting module  80  and are reflected from the inner surface  86  of the reflector  84  in the desired direction. As a result of the new position of the light-emitting element  82 , the light rays  90  are reflected from a different part of the inner surface  86  of the reflector  84  from that shown in  FIG. 7 . Therefore, the light rays  90  are caused to be directed in an upward direction from horizontal and form a pattern consistent with a high beam mode. It is understood that the reflector  84  could be movable instead of the light-emitting element  82 . The reflector  84  can be linearly movable to function in substantially the same way as described for the movable light emitting element  82 . Additionally, the reflector  84  can be rotatable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel with the light rays  90  in order to operate in the high beam mode.  
         [0049]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of a vehicle headlamp  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. The headlamp  100  includes a headlamp body  102  which houses a plurality of lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80  therein. Although shown arranged in rows, it is understood that the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80  can be otherwise arranged as desired. Alternatively, the lighting modules  10 ,  80 ; the lighting modules  40 ,  80 ; or the light modules  10 ,  40 ,  80  with other lighting module types can be housed in the body  72  without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0050]     In use, the headlamp  100  can be operated in a low beam mode or a high beam mode. In the low beam mode, the shield  18  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lens  52  is positioned as the lens  22  is positioned in  FIG. 1 , and the light-emitting element  82  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 7 . Thus, the first set of light rays  28  and the second set of light rays  30  emitted from the lighting module  10  form a pattern consistent with the low beam mode, the first set of light rays  58  and the second set of light rays  60  emitted from the lighting module  40  form a pattern consistent with the low beam mode, and the light rays  90  emitted from the lighting module  80  form a pattern consistent with the low beam mode.  
         [0051]     To operate all of the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80  in the high beam mode, the shield  18  is caused to be moved to a position as shown in one of  FIGS. 2-4 . Thus, the first set of light rays  28  and the second set of light rays  30  form a pattern consistent with both the low beam mode and the high beam mode. Additionally, the lens  52  is caused to move to the position shown in  FIG. 5  and the first set of light rays  58  and the second set of light rays  60  are caused to form a pattern consistent with the high beam mode. Also, the light-emitting element  82  is caused to move to the position shown in  FIG. 8  and the light rays  90  are caused to form a pattern consistent with the high beam mode. It will be understood that each of the different positions of the shield  18  shown in  FIGS. 2-4  will produce different resultant lighting patterns of the low beam mode and the high beam mode. Therefore, a desired pattern can be chosen and the shield  18  of the lighting module  10  positioned as necessary to result in the desired pattern. This permits the headlamp  100  to be adapted to a variety of driving conditions. Additional desired patterns including the low beam mode and the high beam mode can be produced by using different combinations of the low beam mode and the high beam mode of the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80 , using different combinations of the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80 , or using the light modules  10 ,  40 ,  80  with other lighting module types.  
         [0052]      FIGS. 12 and 13  illustrate a lighting module  110  used to produce a pattern consistent with a high beam mode. The lighting module  110  includes a semiconductor light-emitting element  112  such as a light emitting diode (LED), for example. The light-emitting element  112  is connected to a source of electricity (not shown) and is disposed adjacent a near field lens  114  having refractive inner surfaces  116  adapted to refract light and direct the light in a desired direction.  
         [0053]     In use, the lighting module  110  operates in a high beam mode. Light rays (not shown) are emitted from the light-emitting element  112  of the lighting module  110 . The light rays are refracted by the inner surfaces  116  and are caused to exit the near field lens  114  in a pattern consistent with the high beam mode.  
         [0054]      FIG. 14  shows a front view of a vehicle headlamp  120  according to an embodiment of the invention. The headlamp  120  includes a headlamp body  122  which houses a plurality of lighting modules  10 ,  80 ,  110  therein. Although shown arranged in rows, it is understood that the lighting modules  10 ,  80 ,  110  can be otherwise arranged as desired. Alternatively, the lighting modules  40 ,  80 ,  110 ; the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  110 ; the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80 ,  110 ; or the light modules  10 ,  40 ,  80 ,  110  combined with other lighting module types can be housed in the body  122  without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
         [0055]     In use, the headlamp  120  can be operated in a low beam mode or a high beam mode. In the low beam mode, the shield  18  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 1 , the light-emitting element  82  is positioned as shown in  FIG. 7 , and the lighting module  110  is switched off. Thus, the first set of light rays  28  and the second set of light rays  30  emitted from the lighting module  10  form a pattern consistent with the low beam mode, and the light rays  90  emitted from the lighting module  80  form a pattern consistent with the low beam mode.  
         [0056]     To operate the lighting modules  10 ,  80 ,  110  in the high beam mode, the shield  18  is caused to be moved to a position as shown in one of  FIGS. 2-4 . Thus, the first set of light rays  28  and the second set of light rays  30  form a pattern consistent with both the low beam mode and the high beam mode. Additionally, the light-emitting element  82  is caused to move to the position shown in  FIG. 8  and the light rays  90  are caused to form a pattern consistent with the high beam mode. In the high beam mode for headlamp  120 , the light-emitting element  112  is illuminate and the light rays emitted from the near field lens  114  to form a pattern consistent with the high beam mode.  
         [0057]     It will be understood that each of the different positions of the shield  18  shown in  FIGS. 2-4  will produce different resultant lighting patterns of the low beam mode and the high beam mode. Therefore, a desired pattern can be chosen and the shield  18  of the lighting module  10  positioned as necessary to result in the desired pattern. This permits the headlamp  120  to be adapted to a variety of driving conditions. Additional desired patterns including the low beam mode and the high beam mode can be produced by using different combinations of the low beam mode and the high beam mode of the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80 , along with the high beam mode of lighting module  110 ; using different combinations of the lighting modules  10 ,  40 ,  80 ,  110 ; or using the light modules  10 ,  40 ,  80 ,  110  with other lighting module types.  
         [0058]     From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.