A system may have lights. A light may include a first light source and a first reflector configured to provide lighting for a high-beam mode and for a low-beam mode. The light may include a second light source and a second reflector configured to provide lighting for a cornering light mode. The lighting provided by the first light source and the lighting provided by the second light source may pass through the same headlight lens aperture. A light blocking structure may provide a cutoff pattern that define the illumination pattern of the low-beam lighting and the cornering lighting. One or more additional light sources may be provided to boost the intensity of a hot spot for high-beam lighting.

FIELD

This relates generally to systems that have lights.

BACKGROUND

Automobiles and other vehicles have lights such as headlights. To accommodate different driving conditions, headlights are sometimes provided with low-beam and high-beam settings. Sometimes, vehicles are also provided with cornering light capabilities.

SUMMARY

A vehicle may have lights such as headlights. Headlights may provide visible illumination in front of the vehicle using a high-beam mode or a low-beam mode. To improve visibility in other areas surrounding the vehicle such as on the outboard sides of the vehicle, the vehicle may also be provided with cornering light capabilities.

A headlight may include a housing, a first light source for the high-beam mode and the low-beam mode within the housing, and a second light source for cornering light within the housing. The first light source may be backed by a first reflector and may provide light through a projection lens onto the exterior of the vehicle. A shutter (e.g., actuated by a solenoid) may provide a cutoff pattern when in a first position to block a portion of the light emitted from the first light source for the low-beam mode and may be folded down (e.g., removed from the optical path of the portion of light emitted by the first light source) to a second position for the high-beam mode. The second light source may be backed by a second reflector and may provide light through the projection lens onto the exterior of the vehicle. The position of the second light source within the headlight may allow the light emitted from the second light source to be provided as cornering light output from the side of the projection lens. The shutter may also provide a cutoff pattern that defines the illumination pattern of the cornering light. Configured in this manner, the headlight provides a compact headlight having high-beam, low-beam, and cornering light functionalities.

To enhance the illumination of the first light source in the high-beam mode (e.g., to provide an enhanced illumination hot spot), the headlight may include additional light sources placed along the peripheral portion of the projection lens. The light emitted by the first and second light sources may pass through a central portion of the projection lens (defining the lens aperture for the first and second light sources).

If desired, the illumination of the first light source in the high-beam mode may be enhanced by a light source configured to emit light toward a reflector at a rear side of the headlight. The reflected light may pass through the peripheral portion of the projection lens.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A system such as a vehicle or other system may have components that emit light such as headlights and other lights. Headlights may provide visible light illumination in front of the vehicle to illuminate roadways and other objects. In order to illuminate roadways and other objects on the outboard sides (e.g., in the vicinity of the left and right sides flanking the front side) of the vehicle, headlights may also provide visible cornering light illumination. The illumination provided by the headlights allows vehicle occupants to view objects at night or in other dim ambient lighting conditions. In particular, the cornering light illumination may be selectively provided in scenarios warranting illumination of an outboard side such as when the vehicle is turning, when the vehicle is changing to a different lane, or in other scenarios.

To provide a compact headlight with front illumination (e.g., having high-beam and low-beam modes) and cornering light illumination, a light source and a reflector for the front illumination and a light source and a reflector for the cornering light illumination may be housed in the same headlight housing and may emit light through a shared aperture of a projection lens. To further enhance the (front) illumination (e.g., in the high-beam mode) of the headlight, one or more additional light sources may also be provided within the headlight housing.

FIG.1is a top view of a portion of an illustrative vehicle. In the example ofFIG.1, vehicle10is the type of vehicle that may carry passengers (e.g., an automobile, truck, or other automotive vehicle). Configurations in which vehicle10is a robot (e.g., an autonomous robot) or other vehicle that does not carry human passengers may also be used. Vehicles such as automobiles may sometimes be described herein as an example. As shown inFIG.1, vehicle10may be operated on roads such as roadway14. Objects such as object26may be located on or near other structures in the vicinity of vehicle10such as roadway14.

Vehicle10may be manually driven (e.g., by a human driver), may be operated via remote control, and/or may be autonomously operated (e.g., by an autonomous driving system or other autonomous propulsion system). Using vehicle sensors such as lidar, radar, visible and/or infrared cameras (e.g., two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional cameras), proximity (distance) sensors, and/or other sensors, an autonomous driving system and/or driver-assistance system in vehicle10may perform automatic braking, steering, and/or other operations to help avoid pedestrians, inanimate objects, and/or other external structures such as illustrative obstacle26on roadway14.

Vehicle10may include a body such as vehicle body12. Body12may include vehicle structures such as body panels formed from metal and/or other materials, may include doors, a hood, a trunk, fenders, a chassis to which wheels are mounted, a roof, etc. Windows may be formed in doors18(e.g., on the sides of vehicle body12, on the roof of vehicle10, and/or in other portions of vehicle10). Windows, doors18, and other portions of body12may separate the interior of vehicle10from the exterior environment that is surrounding vehicle10. Doors18may be opened and closed to allow people to enter and exit vehicle10. Seats and other structures may be formed in the interior of vehicle body12.

Vehicle10may have automotive lighting such as one or more headlights (sometimes referred to as headlamps), driving lights, fog lights, daytime running lights, turn signals, brake lights, and/or other lights. As shown inFIG.1, for example, vehicle10may have lights such as lights16. In general, lights16may be mounted on front F of vehicle10, on rear R of vehicle10, on left and/or right sides W of vehicle10, and/or other portions of body12. In an illustrative configuration, which may sometimes be described herein as an example, lights16are headlights and are mounted to front F of body12. There may be, as an example, left and right headlights16located respectively on the left and right of vehicle10to provide illumination20in the forward direction (e.g., in the +Y direction in which vehicle10moves when driven forward in the example ofFIG.1). By shining headlights16on external surfaces such as roadway14and object26in front of vehicle10, occupants of vehicle10may view external surfaces even in dim ambient lighting conditions (e.g., at night). The operation of sensors in vehicle10such as image sensors and other sensors that use light may also be supported by providing external surfaces with illumination.

Vehicle10may have components24. Components24may include propulsion and steering systems (e.g., manually adjustable driving systems and/or autonomous driving systems having wheels coupled to body12, steering controls, one or more motors for driving the wheels, etc.), and other vehicle systems. Components24may include control circuitry and input-output devices. Control circuitry in components24may be configured to run an autonomous driving application, a navigation application (e.g., an application for displaying maps on a display), and software for controlling vehicle climate control devices, lighting, media playback, window movement, door operations, sensor operations, and/or other vehicle operations. For example, the control system may form part of an autonomous driving system that drives vehicle10on roadways such as roadway14autonomously using data such as sensor data. The control circuitry may include processing circuitry and storage and may be configured to perform operations in vehicle10using hardware (e.g., dedicated hardware or circuitry), firmware and/or software. Software code for performing operations in vehicle10and other data is stored on non-transitory computer readable storage media (e.g., tangible computer readable storage media) in the control circuitry. The software code may sometimes be referred to as software, data, program instructions, computer instructions, instructions, or code. The non-transitory computer readable storage media may include non-volatile memory such as non-volatile random-access memory, one or more hard drives (e.g., magnetic drives or solid state drives), one or more removable flash drives or other removable media, or other storage. Software stored on the non-transitory computer readable storage media may be executed on the processing circuitry of components24. The processing circuitry may include application-specific integrated circuits with processing circuitry, one or more microprocessors, a central processing unit (CPU) or other processing circuitry.

The input-output devices of components24may include displays, sensors, buttons, light-emitting diodes and other light-emitting devices, haptic devices, speakers, and/or other devices for gathering environmental measurements, information on vehicle operations, and/or user input and for providing output. The sensors in components24may include ambient light sensors, touch sensors, force sensors, proximity sensors, optical sensors such as cameras operating at visible, infrared, and/or ultraviolet wavelengths (e.g., fisheye cameras, two-dimensional cameras, three-dimensional cameras, and/or other cameras), capacitive sensors, resistive sensors, ultrasonic sensors (e.g., ultrasonic distance sensors), microphones, radio-frequency sensors such as radar sensors, lidar (light detection and ranging) sensors, door open/close sensors, seat pressure sensors and other vehicle occupant sensors, window sensors, position sensors for monitoring location, orientation, and movement, speedometers, satellite positioning system sensors, and/or other sensors. Output devices in components24may be used to provide vehicle occupants and others with haptic output, audio output, visual output (e.g., displayed content, light, etc.), and/or other suitable output.

Three-dimensional sensors in components24may be formed from pairs of two-dimensional image sensors operating together as a stereoscopic depth sensor (e.g., a binocular camera pair forming at three-dimensional camera). Three-dimensional sensors may also be formed using image sensor systems that emit structured light (e.g., arrays of dots, lines, grids, and/or other structured light patterns at infrared and/or visible wavelengths) and that capture images (e.g., two-dimensional images) for analysis. The captured images reveal how the structured light patterns have been distorted by the three-dimensional surfaces illuminated by the structured light patterns. By analyzing the distortion of the structured light, the three-dimensional shape of the surfaces can be reconstructed. If desired, three-dimensional sensors for vehicle10may include one or more time-of-flight sensors. For example, time-of-flight measurements may be made using light (e.g., lidar sensor measurements) and radio-frequency signals (e.g., three-dimensional radar).

During operation, the control circuitry of components24may gather information from sensors and/or other input-output devices such as lidar data, camera data (e.g., two-dimensional images), radar data, and/or other sensor data. For example, three-dimensional image data may be captured using three-dimensional image sensor(s). Two-dimensional images (e.g., images of headlight illumination on one or more external surfaces associated with object26and/or roadway14) may also be gathered.

A vehicle occupant or other user of vehicle10may provide user input to the control circuitry of vehicle10. Cameras, touch sensors, physical controls, and other input devices may be used to gather the user input. Using wireless communications with vehicle10, remote data sources may provide the control circuitry of components24with database information. Displays, speakers, and other output devices may be used to provide users with content such as interactive on-screen menu options and audio. A user may interact with this interactive content by supplying touch input to a touch sensor in a display and/or by providing user input with other input devices. If desired, the control circuitry of vehicle10may use sensor data, user input, information from remote databases, and/or other information in providing a driver with driver assistance information (e.g., information on nearby obstacles on a roadway and/or other environment surrounding vehicle10) and/or in autonomously driving vehicle10.

Components24may include forward-facing sensor circuitry, as shown by forward-facing sensor(s)24F ofFIG.1. The forward-facing sensor circuitry may include one or more sensors facing a surface in front of vehicle10(e.g., one or more sensors that are directed in the +Y direction ofFIG.1to detect surfaces of structures in front of vehicle10such as obstacle26and roadway14). Sensors24F and/or other sensors in vehicle10may include lidar, radar, visible and/or infrared cameras, and/or other sensors. For example, sensors24F may include two-dimensional image sensors and/or three-dimensional image sensors operating using structured light, binocular vision, time-of-flight (e.g., lidar or radar), and/or other three-dimensional imaging arrangements. Sensors24F may include a three-dimensional sensor that measures the three-dimensional shape of one or more external surfaces and that optionally measures the pattern of headlight illumination from headlights16on one or more external surfaces. If desired, a two-dimensional image sensor may be used to measure the headlight illumination pattern on one or more external surfaces (e.g., the forward-facing sensor circuitry of vehicle10may use three-dimensional and two-dimensional sensors to respectively measure surface shapes and headlight illumination intensity or both of these sensors may be used in gathering information on surface shape and/or surface illumination).

To provide visible light illumination for objects such as objects28on the (outboard) sides of vehicle10, headlights16may be provided with cornering light illumination such as illumination22inFIG.1. In the illustrative configuration of left and right headlights16being located respectively on the left and right of vehicle10as shown inFIG.1, left headlight16may provide illumination to the left outboard side of vehicle10(e.g., at an angle between the +Y direction and the −X direction, an azimuth angle from the +Y direction toward the −X direction of greater than 20 degrees, greater than 30 degrees, greater than 35 degrees, less than 90 degrees, etc.), while right headlight16may provide illumination to the right outboard side of vehicle10(e.g., at an angle between the +Y direction and the +X direction, an azimuth angle from the +Y direction toward the +X direction of greater than 20 degrees, greater than 30 degrees, greater than 35 degrees, less than 90 degrees, etc.).

By shining headlights16on external surfaces on the outboard sides of vehicle10such as object28and other roadways to the side of vehicle10, occupants of vehicle10may view external surfaces even in dim ambient lighting conditions (e.g., at night). If desired, cornering light illumination22may be selectively (conditionally) provided in dim ambient lighting conditions such as when vehicle is turning or moving off of a given roadway14at night, or changing to a difference lane on a given roadway14at night, or in other scenarios. If desired, the operation of sensors in vehicle10such as image sensors and other sensors that use light may also be supported by providing these peripheral external surfaces with cornering light illumination.

In additional to providing cornering light illumination22, headlights16may also provide front illumination20in a high-beam mode (e.g., providing high-beam front illumination) and a low-beam mode (e.g., providing low-beam front illumination), as examples. To provide compact headlights16that provide these and other functionalities, multiple light sources and reflectors for different functionalities or modes may be mounted to a shared platform that is disposed in the same housing, may share the use of other headlight components (e.g., a shutter, a heat sink, etc.), and may emit light through the same lens aperture.

FIG.2is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative adjustable headlight for vehicle10. Vehicle10may have any suitable number of headlights (e.g., at least one, at least two, at least three, etc.). In an illustrative arrangement, vehicle10has left and right headlights16on front F of vehicle10, as described in connection withFIG.1. As shown inFIG.2, headlight16may include headlight housing60and a headlight lens including lens elements48and50(sometimes referred to as lens48and lens50). Housing60may include support structures and enclosure structures for supporting the components of headlight16. These structures may facilitate mounting of headlight16to body12. Housing60may include polymer, metal, carbon-fiber composites and other fiber composites, glass, ceramic, other materials, and/or combinations of these materials.

Lens48and lens50may include polymer, glass, transparent ceramic, and/or other materials that are transparent to visible light (and, if desired, infrared light such as near infrared light at one or more wavelengths from 800 to 2500 nm or other infrared light). Lens48and50may be used to help collimate light56and direct light56from headlight16in desired directions (e.g., to produce illumination such as illumination20ofFIG.1). While the headlight lens is shown to include two lens elements, this is merely illustrative. If desired, the headlight lens may include a single lens element or three or more lens elements. In the example ofFIG.2, lens50may include central portion52aligned with lens48. Lens48and portion52of lens50may form the headlight lens aperture through which light56passes.

In illustrative configurations described herein as an illustrative example, the headlight lens may form a projection lens. The projection lens may be implemented using two aspherical lens components such as lens48and lens50. The projection lens may be configured to have a wide field of view such as a field of view greater than 60 degrees, greater than 75 degrees, greater than 80 degrees, etc.

Light56may include visible light (e.g., light from 400 nm to 750 nm). Headlight16may be operated in a high-beam mode and a low-beam mode (as examples). In the high-beam mode, emitted light56includes light58-2that is directed forward horizontally (along the +Y axis ofFIG.2) as well as light58-1that is angled down slightly from the +Y axis). In the low-beam mode, some of the forward-directed light (e.g., light58-2) is suppressed, so that only downwardly angled light such as light58-1is emitted.

Headlight16includes a light source such as light source42-1. Light source42-1emits (visible) light such as light44-1and44-2. Light44-1and44-2may be reflected in forward direction +Y by reflector46to produce corresponding reflected light44-1and44-2. Reflector46, which may be formed from metal, polymer, glass, and/or other materials, may have a parabolic profile or other curved cross-sectional profile (as an example). Metal coatings, dielectric thin-film coatings, and/or other coatings may be provided on reflector46to enhance reflectivity at visible wavelengths.

Reflected light44-1and44-2from reflector46may be controlled using an adjustable component such as adjustable light blocker54. Light blocker54may be formed from an electrically adjustable light modulator layer, a physically adjusted shutter (e.g., a shutter that slides, rotates, and/or is otherwise moved by a positioner in a physical light-blocking device), or other device that can be electrically adjusted by control signals from control circuitry in components24.

Adjustable light blocker54ofFIG.2may be placed first and second positions relative to the optical path of light such as reflected light44-2using a positioner. The positioner may be an electrically adjustable positioner such as a motor, solenoid, and/or other actuator that moves one or more portions of light blocker54in response to commands from control circuitry in components24. As an illustrative example, the positioner may have a hinge and an actuator that rotates light blocker54about a hinge axis associated with the hinge.

The control circuitry in components24can adjust light blocker54to adjust the amount and component of reflected light from reflector46that passes through the headlight lens. In a first mode (e.g., a low-beam mode), light blocker54is positioned as shown inFIG.2. In this first mode, rays of light such as light44-2are blocked by light blocker54. As a result, low-beam light58-1is present and high-beam light58-2is blocked and is not present. This visible light low-beam pattern may be used when vehicle10is facing oncoming traffic. In a second mode (e.g., a high-beam mode), light blocker54may be rotated or folded down about an axis of rotation associated with the positioner for light blocker54. When light blocker54is moved downwards in this way (e.g., removed from the position shown inFIG.2and removed from the optical path of light44-2), more rays of reflected light such as reflected light44-2are allowed to pass the headlight lens. As a result, a high-beam pattern of emitted light is present (e.g., high-beam light that includes both light58-1and light58-2is emitted). This visible high-beam pattern may be used when vehicle10is not facing oncoming traffic.

To provide a compact implementation of headlight16while providing additional functionalities such as cornering light in addition to high-beam light and low-beam light (as described inFIG.2), headlight16may include an additional light source and an additional reflector that share the use of other components in headlight16.FIG.3is a cross-sectional top view of an illustrative adjustable headlight for vehicle10(e.g., the same adjustable headlight shown inFIG.2). Headlight16may be operated in a cornering light mode, as an example (in addition to the high-beam mode and the low-beam mode). In the cornering light mode, emitted light56includes light66that is directed to a peripheral direction (e.g., toward the −X direction in the example ofFIG.3, at an angle between the +X and −Y directions, off-axis from the Y-axis toward the X-axis, etc.). WhileFIG.3shows a top view of headlight16providing light66relative to the X-Y plane, in a side view, light66may be angled down slightly from the +Y direction toward the −Z direction (similar to light58-1inFIG.2).

Configured in this manner, headlight16may provide a cornering light pattern that illuminates the outboard side of vehicle10. In the illustrative example ofFIG.3where the left outboard side (in the −X direction) of vehicle10is illuminated, headlight16may be mounted to body12as the left headlight. A mirrored version of the headlight ofFIG.2(providing illumination to the right outboard side (in the +X direction)) may be provided and mounted to body12as the right headlight.

To operate in the cornering light mode, as shown inFIG.3, headlight16include an additional light source42-2and an additional reflector64(in addition to light source42-1and reflector46inFIG.2) enclosed and/or supported by housing60. Light source42-1and reflector46(FIG.2) may be provided within the same housing60and operate as described inFIG.2, but are now shown inFIG.3for the sake of clarity.

Light source42-1may emits (visible) light such as light62. Light62may be reflected in forward direction +Y by reflector64to produce corresponding reflected light62. Reflector64, which may be formed from metal, polymer, glass, and/or other materials, may have a parabolic profile or other curved cross-sectional profile (as an example). Metal coatings, dielectric thin-film coatings, and/or other coatings may be provided on reflector64to enhance reflectivity at visible wavelengths.

Reflected light62(in addition to reflected light44-1and44-2inFIG.2) may be controlled using the same adjustable light blocker54. The control circuitry in components24can adjust light blocker54to adjust the amount and component of reflected light62from reflector64that passes through the headlight lens (lens48and lens50). In a third mode (e.g., the cornering light mode) in which headlight16can be operated, light blocker54may be positioned as shown inFIG.3(e.g., in the same position as the position for low-beam mode). In this mode, some rays of light (e.g., a portion of the reflected light from reflector64) are blocked by light blocker54. As a result, cornering light66forming a desired cornering light pattern is present in emitted light56. In particular, light blocker54may help define the horizontal cutoff pattern (across the X-Y plane) such that light66is angled down slightly from the +Y direction (similar to what is done for the low-beam mode), and if desired may help define the vertical cutoff pattern (across the Y-Z plane) such that light66is angled to a peripheral side (e.g., to a left or right side) away from the +Y direction.

As shown inFIGS.2and3, light source42-1and reflector46for high-beam and low-beam modes, and light source42-2and reflector64for a cornering light mode may be enclosed in the same housing60, may share the use of light blocker54, may pass through the same headlight lens aperture (defined by lens48and central portion52of lens50). Configured in this manner, headlight16may provide a compact implementation for emitting different types of light exhibiting different patterns (e.g., light44-1,44-2, and66). While headlight16may operate in the high-beam mode and the low-beam mode in a mutually exclusive manner, headlight16may operate in the cornering light mode while operating in either the high-beam mode or the low-beam mode. In other words, headlight16may emit cornering light (with or without a horizontal cutoff) along with high-beam light, and/or may emit cornering light (with a horizontal cutoff) along with low-beam light.

In some illustrative configurations, headlight16when operating in the high-beam mode may exhibit an illumination pattern having insufficient intensity one or more areas.FIG.4is an illustrative cross-sectional side view of a portion of headlight16provided with additional light sources for increasing the illumination intensity for headlight16such as when operating in the high-beam mode.

As shown inFIG.4, the headlight lens (e.g., lens48and lens50) may be provided in a lens assembly. The lens assembly includes a lens supporting structure70having a central opening configured to receive and support lens48. Lens48may be aligned (using lens supporting structure70) with a central portion52of lens50. Lens48and central portion52of lens50may form the aperture of the headlight lens. In particular, light such as light44-1and44-2(associated with high-beam light and low-beam light) and light associated with cornering light (light62inFIG.3) may pass through lens48and central portion52of lens to be emitted by headlight16as light58-1and58-2and cornering light (light66inFIG.3).

While the central portion of lens50is used as part of the headlight lens aperture, the peripheral operation surrounding central portion52may be unused (e.g., in the configurations ofFIGS.2and3). As such, one or more additional light sources42-3may be mounted to lens supporting structure70and aligned with peripheral portion74of lens50. Each light source42-3on structure70may be covered by a light collimator structure72such as a total internal reflection collimator or optics structure that collimate light from light source42-3to pass through peripheral portion74of lens50. As an example, the inner and outer surfaces of portion74, through which collimated light from light sources42-3pass, may be parallel (e.g., portion74of lens50may have uniform thickness). Accordingly, light emitted from light sources42-3may ultimately be emitted as light76from the same peripheral portion74of lens50(e.g., without any lensing effecting). Because light sources42-3may be distributed along the circular periphery of lens50, light76may exhibit a ring of light.

Configured in this manner, headlight16may emit light56including light76to increase the illumination intensity (e.g., in the high-beam mode). In other words, high-beam light emitted by headlight16may include light58-1,58-2, and76. Whereas light58-1and58-2is produced from light source42-1(FIG.2) via reflector46producing reflected light44-1and44-2, light76is produced from one or more light sources42-3.

FIG.5is a perspective view of a portion of an illustrative adjustable headlight such as the headlight described in connection withFIGS.2-4. As shown inFIG.5, headlight16may include a support structure or platform80to which light sources42-1and42-2, and reflectors46and64are mounted. Configurations in which support structure80is a heat sink are described herein as an illustrative example. In particular, support structure80when implemented as a heat sink may be formed from heat conducting material (e.g., metal) and may include fins that help dissipate heat away from the heat sink. By mounting light sources42-1and42-2, and reflectors46and64to the heat sink, the heat sink can directly dissipate the light-source-generated heat and heat generated from the reflectors.

Light sources42-1and42-2(and one or more light sources42-3) may each include one or more light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes, lasers, lamps, or other components that emit light. Reflectors46and64may be formed by depositing (e.g., sputtering) reflective material such as aluminum on an underlying molded support structure such as a molded plastic. Reflectors46and64may be freeform reflectors.

Light source42-1and reflector46for high-beam and low-beam light may be mounted to a first surface82of support structure80. The geometry of the inner reflective surface of reflector46facing light source42-1may be configured to reflect light toward the headlight lens aperture and provide high-beam light with a suitable illumination pattern. To switch between high-beam and low-beam modes, light blocker54such as an adjustable shutter may be adjusted between two or more positions by positioner86having an actuator with a solenoid. In a particular position (that provides a horizontal cutoff pattern for the low-beam mode), light blocker54may block some of the light reflected from reflector46from reaching the lens aperture (e.g., lens48and a central portion of lens50), and the unblocked light from reflector46may provide the low-beam light.

Light source42-2and reflector64for cornering light may be mounted to a second surface84of support structure80elevated above surface82. The geometry of the inner reflective surface of reflector46facing light source42-2may be configured to reflect light toward the headlight lens aperture and provide cornering light with a suitable illumination pattern. Light blocker54adjusted to a particular position (e.g., the same position for low-beam mode), may block some of the light reflected from reflector64from reach the lens aperture, and the unblocked light from reflector64may provide the cornering light. Light blocker54may therefore be disposed between reflector46and the headlight lens, and between reflector64and the headlight lens.

In the example ofFIG.5, headlight16may have a circular outline when viewed along the Y-axis. Accordingly, lens50may have a circular outline when viewed along Y-axis. The central portion (portion52inFIG.4) defining the headlight lens aperture may be an inner circular portion, while the peripheral portion through which light sources42-3emit light may be a ring portion surrounding the inner circular portion. Lens48may also have a circular outline when viewed along the Y-axis and may align with the central portion of lens50(along the Y-axis) when mounted in lens support structure70. Lens support structure70may form a ring-shaped structure that overlaps the peripheral portion of lens50and that has an opening overlapping the central portion of lens50for receiving lens48.

Light sources42-3(e.g., for boosting illumination intensity in the high-beam mode) may be mounted on the ring-shaped lens support structure70and may be distributed around a central axis of headlight16. Configured in this manner, light sources42-3may emit light through the peripheral ring portion of lens50. Light collimators72may have individual cells (separate collimators) that each overlap a corresponding one of light sources42-3.

One or more components in headlight16such as lens50and48, lens support structure70, platform80, etc., may be mounted to and enclosed by housing60. One or more components in headlight16may be mounted to other components via any suitable attachment or biasing structures such as adhesive, screws or other fastener, welds, etc. If desired, lens50may form a front face of headlight16, while housing60may form all other sides and the rear face of headlight16. In some illustrative configurations, when headlight16is mounted to body12, lens50may form an exterior surface of vehicle10. If desired, one or more (protective) coating layers may be deposited on lens50. In some illustrative configurations, when headlight16is mounted to body12, lens50may further be overlapped by a cover layer through which light emitted by headlight16passes to reach an exterior of vehicle10.

Configured in the manner described in connection withFIGS.2-5, headlight16may provide a compact implementation of a headlight operable in multiple modes (e.g., a high-beam mode, a low-beam mode, and a cornering light mode) to emit light in different directions and having different illumination patterns such that, when mounted in vehicle10, the headlight can selectively illuminate one or more different areas (associated with roadways and/or objects in the vicinity of vehicle10).

FIG.6is a graph showing illustrative illumination patterns for different modes of operating headlight16. InFIG.6, (projected) illumination patterns90,92, and94are shown with respect to an azimuth angle along a horizontal plane (e.g., along the X-Y plane inFIG.5) and an inclination angle along a vertical plane (e.g., along the Y-Z plane inFIG.5) with the 0 degrees azimuth angle and 0 degrees inclination angle being light emitted exactly in the +Y direction (FIG.5). The illumination patterns inFIG.6are illustrative and serve to clarify one or more characteristics of the different illumination patterns. The illumination patterns emitted by headlight16may vary from what is shown inFIG.6.

As shown inFIG.6, headlight16operated in a low-beam mode (e.g., using light source42-1, and a shutter in a low-beam mode position that blocks the high-beam light portion and defines a horizontal cutoff pattern) may exhibit illumination pattern90. Illumination pattern as a cutoff pattern that cuts off light above a certain inclination angle shown by line98. Headlight16operated in a high-beam mode (e.g., using light source42-1, and a shutter in a high-beam mode position that unblocks the high-beam light portion, and additionally using supplemental light sources42-3) may be exhibit illumination pattern92(that includes the unblocked high-beam light portion above line98). The supplemental light sources92-3may help increase the intensity of the high-beam light directly in front of headlight16to generate hot spot94having a desired intensity. Headlight16operated in a cornering light mode (e.g., using light source42-2and the shutter in the low-beam mode position defining the horizontal cutoff pattern) may exhibit illumination pattern96(e.g., to the left outboard side of vehicle10). If desired, a vertical cutoff pattern shown by line100separating illumination pattern96from illumination patterns90and94may be defined by the relative placement of the light sources and reflectors, and/or by light blocker or shutter structures (e.g., the shutter used to define the horizontal cutoff pattern).

FIG.7is a cross-sectional side view of an illustrative adjustable headlight. In particular, to boost the hot spot illumination intensity in the high-beam light, headlight16may include a light source42-4(e.g., in place of the light sources42-3inFIGS.4and5). Light source42-4(e.g., one or more light-emitting devices such as light-emitting diodes, lasers, lamps, or other components that emit light) may emit light108toward reflector102. Reflector may be mounted to housing60and/or may be formed from a portion of housing60having reflective interior surfaces. In the example ofFIG.7, reflector102may form a rear face of headlight16.

Reflector102may include a first parabolic surface104and a second planar surface106. Light108emitted by light source42-4may be reflected first by surface104and then by surface106toward the front of headlight16. Light108reflected by reflector102may be passed through the peripheral portion74of lens50as light76′. Light76′ (forming a portion of the high-beam illumination) may be emitted by headlight16operating in the high-beam mode to boost the light intensity directly in front of headlight16to generate an intensity hot spot (e.g., hot spot94inFIG.6). While only light108provided to the top half of reflector102is shown inFIG.7, light source42-4may emit light toward reflector102in additional directions (e.g., to the bottom half of reflector102). In fact, reflector102, when viewed along the Y-axis, may have a circular outline, and light source-42-4may emit light toward surface104of reflector102in a conical pattern. Accordingly, light76′ may be provided all along the peripheral portion74of lens50(e.g., as a ring of light).

In the configuration ofFIG.7, the main light source assembly such as assembly110(e.g., including light sources42-1and42-2, reflectors46and64, light blocker54, positioner86, platform80, etc., inFIG.5) may still be included to emit light such as light44-1,44-2, and62through the headlight lens aperture (e.g., lens48and portion52of lens50) to generate the other portions of high-beam light, low-beam light, and cornering light. Because light108reflected from reflector102is provided all around the internal periphery of headlight16, bulky components such as a heat sink, positioner86, or other bulky components in assembly110may block a substantial portion of the reflected light108. As such, these bulky components may be miniaturized and/or moved to an extended housing portion of headlight16not overlapping reflector102.

Illustrative operations involved in using vehicle10are shown inFIG.8.

During the operations of block112, control circuitry (e.g., implemented by one or more components24) of vehicle10may gather sensor data from one or more sensors, may gather user data (e.g., a user input), and/or may gather other inputs.

During the operations of block114, the control circuitry may operate one or more headlights of vehicle10based on the inputs gathered in block112. As examples, based on the gathered inputs, the control circuitry may operate a headlight such as headlight16inFIGS.1-5and7in one or more modes (e.g., a high-beam mode, a low-beam mode, and a cornering light mode). As examples, the control circuitry may operate headlight16to emit only high-beam light, only low-beam light, low-beam light and cornering light, high-beam light and cornering light. In particular, configurations in which control circuitry perform the operations of block114to determine when to operate headlight16to emit cornering light and/or stop emitting cornering light are described herein as an illustrative example.

In an illustrative configuration, during the operations of block112, the control circuitry may identify a speed of vehicle10, a steering angle of vehicle10, a turning signal status of vehicle10, a location of vehicle10, and/or other data on vehicle10, may identify external objects (e.g., pedestrians, street signs, street lights, etc.) or roadways in the vicinity of vehicle10(e.g., using lidar), and/or may identify other inputs. As examples, during the operation of block114, the control circuitry may operate headlight16to emit cornering light in response to the speed of vehicle10slowing to below a threshold value, a steering angle of vehicle10being greater than a threshold value, a turning signal of vehicle10being on, a location of vehicle10being at an intersection, external objects being on the outboard side on vehicle10, multiple of these conditions being satisfied, and/or in response to other conditions being satisfied, and may stop emitting cornering light when one or more of these conditions are no longer satisfied.