1. Liquid Crystal Based Automotive Lighting
Michael Strazzanti, Illume LLC

2. Problems in Automotive Lighting
Glare – thousands of US complaints to NHTSA
Pedestrian strikes at night
Mechanization required for AFS
Styling limitations

3. Glare Visibility opposed to Glare Static situation Number of lamps
Visual focus on new lamps

4. Pedestrian Strikes Low beam insufficient – high beam reluctance
High beam auto switching
IR systems

5. AFS Mechanization
Complexity
AFS lamps
Retractable headlamps

6. New Concept Dynamic solid state light control
Optronics - materials with alterable:
Refractive index
Molecular orientation
Anisotropy

7. Optronic Materials Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal
Droplets in polymer
Light scattering
Reverse mode
Implemented in exterior applications

8. Optronic Materials Polymer Stabilized Cholesteric Technology
Droplets in polymer network
Light scattering
Colored by dichroic dyes
Implemented in exterior applications

9. Optronic Materials Dichroic dyed liquid crystal
Dichroic dye anisotropy
Guest-host

10. Optronic Materials Tunable lenses Beam steering
Photomasking
Refractive index gradient
Deformable membrane
Beam steering
Prisms backfilled with liquid crystal
Narrow wavelength
Attenuation of optics in lens

11. Forward Lighting Dynamic response of light output to reduce glare
Targeted active light distribution based on environment

12. Other applications: Signal Lamp
Single reflector
Tail
Brake
Turn
Backup

13. Signal Lamp Mask Liquid crystal PDLC or PSCT
Dichroic dyed liquid crystal
10% light loss assumed

14. Mask Function Dual filament 3157 bulb PDLC and PSCT attenuate signals
Minor filament – tail
Major filament – signals
PDLC and PSCT attenuate signals

15. Lamp Appearance

16. Colorimetric Performance
Backup signal
Dichroic dye alignment
Blue filter

17. Other Applications: Lamp Concealment
Dichroic dyed liquid crystal layers
PDLC as diffuser for lamp concealment
Improvement over current methods

18. Lamp Concealment Solid state Led light sources Blend lens with fascia
Multicolor states

19. Environmental Considerations
Surmountable challenges
Main issues are temperature and UV exposure

20. Environmental Considerations
Exterior liquid crystal display
Transparent heaters – ITO layer
Doubles as EMI shielding
Exterior liquid crystal display
Molecular engineering
UV cutoff filter
Light source selection

21. Other Applications: Interior Console
Combination of switchable mirrors, PDLC, dichroic dyed films for display concealment
Camouflage and other styling enhancements
Avoid driver distraction with stylistic method

22. Intellectual Property
Seven issued patents
Ongoing continuation in part
applications
Three patents filed internationally
Seeking industry partners to bring concepts to market
Exclusive licensing
Non-exclusive licensing
Acquisition

23. Contact
Michael Strazzanti