Audi Pioneers First All-LED Headlight
August 16, 2007 by George Skentzos
Audi have developed the first headlight cluster illuminated solely by LED lights.
The use of LED’s in car lights is nothing new, however Audi have been the first to utilise the technology as more than an aesthetic feature in turn signals as well as for the low and main beam.
The outstanding benefits of LED technology include its low energy consumption, a daylight colour for enhanced contrast and more pleasant visual perception, the non-wearing design, lower voltage requirements and compact dimensions.
“The LED headlight will be available in the future as an option for the Audi R8 which will be launched in Australia later this year,”
Each light unit consists of a housing, a chip or chip array, a circuit board and a heat sink. Electric ventilators ensure effective heat dissipation and also defrost the headlight units.
The yellow turn signal light form a border around the top of the headlight enclosure whilst the daytime running lights complete the frame.
Tags: All-led headlight
Many years ago when ultra-bright LED’s started to appear in electronics shops I use to say to my mates and colleges “Geez, I wonder if they’ll get bright enough to replace Headlights, traffic lights and all that?”
Call me Nostradamus. They started to appear in traffic lights, car turn signals and more recently rear brake/tail lights.
Steve
I wonder how well they light up the road. The thing with LED up to now is that they have just been a spot of light, they don’t spread out like conventional lighting.
Well, it really depends. When LED’s were just starting to get bright one of the first tricks manufacturers would use is standard LED’s that were slightly overdriven, but the lens was also reduced in viewing angle so the beam was more concentrated…. appearing brighter.
I think it comes down to the lens.
these arent those little clear domed 5mm LEDs like in flashlights… I suspect these are the latest high wattage star based LED as it refers to a heatsink and driver. ex: Luxeon, Seoul, Cree, Rebel etc…
Current LEDs can produce 240lumen and I have one in a mag light that lights objects to around 1000ft. LED die and phosphorous technology is readily increasing and will replace most lighting in the next 15 years.
There are new Dies coming out this year that are suppose to hit well over 300 lumen so that should be intresting as most humans that have used LED flashlights have never used one more than 80 lumen most likely.
Check out candlepowerforums.com for info on new LED technology.
In the picture it just has LED parklights with Xenon Headlights.
They have LED headlights but I dont think the Audit TT has brake lights LEDs (seen on cars half its price). Go figure.
You see, technique stands for nothing. In a few years everything will be done with LED Lighting! LED looks better and is more stylish with cars like Audi.
Audi keep up the good work and off course all the other companies that are working on LED Lighting.