[Stratos]

Luminous flux equal to xenon

Hella is developing complete headlamps using LED technology as a study provides information about possible series application from 2008.

The light and electronics specialist Hella, in cooperation with Volkswagen, has developed an LED headlamp which achieves low beam, high beam, direction indicator and daytime running light functions using cutting-edge LED technology only. The LED headlamp is a study using the VW Golf 5 as an example. It is to provide information about the performance ability of such systems and also offers the possibility of experiencing technical challenges in operation in the vehicle. A series solution is expected for the year 2008.

For the lighting functions, Hella uses both standard LEDs and LED assemblies especially designed for automotive applications. The light is directed onto the road with the aid of different optical systems. The most striking part of the headlamp is formed by seven pentagonal plastic lenses arranged in a honeycomb pattern. There is a shovel-shaped free-form reflector positioned next to these which produces the low beam together with four segments of the honeycomb. For the high beam, the other three segments of the honeycomb are also used. During the day, all seven segments of the honeycomb form the daytime running light. There are six standard LEDs arranged in a row beneath the shovel-shaped free-form reflector for the direction indicator function.

Light emitting diodes as a light source open up completely new possibilities for headlamp shapes and arrangements. This is made possible by the modular design as well as the large selection of different optical elements.


Source: Supercars.net

[lamborghini]

Cool.
Wonder if they will come to India as an after market option for cars.

[Mpower]

LED headlamps are already in production in the Audi A8...only on the W12 version with the big-mouth grille

[nitrous]

What are the advantages of LED headlamps over conventional and xenon lamps?? can anyone give a comparitive study?

[Stratos]

LED's have life expectancies of up to 100'000 hours, FAR exceeding any other currently popular forms of bulbs etc for automotive application. if i remember correctly however, the current breed of LED's are not more efficient, just far more versatile. they can emmit different colours of light from one single LED', are VERY resistent to shock(no filament/element), produce virtually no heat and can be arranged in pretty much any configuration.

Source: supercars.net

[DRC]

Theya also take a lot less current, as there is minimum heat generated.

Since, they do not use bulb-reflector mechanism, a lens can be integrated into the LED itself..

The source of light is very small, (unlike half an inch of filament) so there may be more uniform light distribution..

source, engineering books, datasheets of LEDs, a part of my job..

[Edmund]

I dont know if you guys have noticed this one, The intercity locomotives like the Deccan Queen which runs between Pune and Bombay have LED's as secondary lights in the front!!!!
I'm guessing they are just experimental.......but a tiny step for a giant leap coming up in the future!!!!

[speedsatya]

Originally Posted by Edmund

I dont know if you guys have noticed this one, The intercity locomotives like the Deccan Queen which runs between Pune and Bombay have LED's as secondary lights in the front!!!!

hey Edmund,
are you sure about this????

[Edmund]

One hundred Percent sure...........took me by surprise too!!!
But they are not perfected to actually generate a great beam.........its still developmental im guessing.........

[sumitkalindi]

Actually Indian railways have taken very seriously to these LED's and if you are carefull enough to observe, most of the engines, are now fitted with these, BTW they are equivalent to the Parking lights of our cars.

[faithless_1984]

Errrr Sumit its a 3 year old thread.!

[speedzak]

Bump!
The LED revolution is for sure taking on the world.
Electricity boards in our country are now told to encourage LED usage to keep in track with the power shortage/demands.

Can anybody list manufacturers who use LED headlights for their production cars?

[prabhuav]

GM has this on the new escalade.

[Mpower]

LS-600h lexus hybrid has LEDs for low beam only.

The Escalate Platinum edition has it for both low and high beam.

[directinjection]

Originally Posted by speedzak

Electricity boards in our country are now told to encourage LED usage to keep in track with the power shortage/demands.

Electricity boards encouraging LED? It's CFL lighting they are heavily after these days.

Has any manufacturer come out with LED auto lamps that would fit into standard size sockets/holders?

How much would the increase in lighting be if a 60/55W H4 halogen is replaced by 60/55W LED?