New Patent May Get Us Matrix Headlights

[braddibbnd]

https://www.notateslaapp.com/news/4270/tesla-patents-new-cheaper-way-to-produce-matrix-headlights

Will see if this will get us matrix headlights in the future. What makes me hopeful is that it should make these haedlights cheaper so Tesla would likely use this on all models. Maybe they could even make them fit on the frunk below the DRL which should also help with the snow/ice issue with the current headlights. I'm hopeful that this will be out sometime in the near future but it may take more time to fine tune something to pass all the regulatory issues.

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[REM]

DOPE!

 

[braddibbnd]

Amazing Tesla engineers! I just hope this isn't another patent like the laser windshield wiper. But time will tell.

 

[UberNoob]

If I’m able to upgrade my FS to matrix I’d definitely do it.

 

[bpobob]

I miss the matrix lights. They were amazing on the x. This won't help any current owners though. Just cost cutting measures for future vehicles.

 

[Travis64]

If I’m able to upgrade my FS to matrix I’d definitely do it.

Not worth it headlights are already good you lose $20k-30k

 

[Limes2]

Doubt if Tesla would ever offer a price friendly upgrade. FWIW just to replace one headlight on a 2020 Model Y it is $1900 parts & labor.

 

[bpobob]

Doubt if Tesla would ever offer a price friendly upgrade. FWIW just to replace one headlight on a 2020 Model Y it is $1900 parts & labor.

you ca buy them used for very cheap. I didn't have matrix on my plaid, I bought a set from eBay for $900 and used toolbox to program them. I also had to buy an adapter too but all in was like $1100 or so. There's a guy on eBay that sold x headlights that were new, but factory rejects for cheap. That's where I got mine. He probably does other parts too.

 

[Patriot]

It sounds like a film. It probably needs to be precisely applied to work properly, but why couldn't that be retrofit to older vehicles with a software update? Sounds amazing.

 

[mongo]

I think the article went a bridge too far in extrapolation.
The shutter effect would allow separating the illumination function from the segment function. However, matrix lights still need the optical path to create the pixels. Adding a film to the front lens would be akin to a big bug splattered on your headlight, it reduces illumination, but doesn't result in a dark zone downrange.

 

[bpobob]

It sounds like a film. It probably needs to be precisely applied to work properly, but why couldn't that be retrofit to older vehicles with a software update? Sounds amazing.

Because electric vehicles are like phones. Upgrade to the latest and greatest every couple of years.

our lights are not capable of matrix so software won't do anything. It sucks because matrix lights are insanely good.

 

[mongo]

Because electric vehicles are like phones. Upgrade to the latest and greatest every couple of years.

our lights are not capable of matrix so software won't do anything. It sucks because matrix lights are insanely good.

I think they were hypothesising replacement matrix headlights that fit in the same form factor combined with a software update to control them.

 

[TickTock]

OK. This does sound clever but I am still mystified on exactly how they plan to actually change the headlight LED wavelength to activate the photochromatic dye. I thought LEDs were fixed wavelength. Even after phosphor conversion, the wavelengths are essentially fixed. I wish there was a link to the actual patent - maybe it is explained there.

 

[mongo]

OK. This does sound clever but I am still mystified on exactly how they plan to actually change the headlight LED wavelength to activate the photochromatic dye. I thought LEDs were fixed wavelength. Even after phosphor conversion, the wavelengths are essentially fixed. I wish there was a link to the actual patent - maybe it is explained there.

I think the article overextrapolated.
They could have a road illumination light source and a separate matrix of lower power UV LEDs that modify the film.
Or just use one of the types of shutter in the claims.

 

[TickTock]

I think the article overextrapolated.
They could have a road illumination light source and a separate matrix of lower power UV LEDs that modify the film.
Or just use one of the types of shutter in the claims.

Maybe they are talking about the frequency of the PWM modulation? If they could design photochromatic dye to respond to that, it would be pretty cool.

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