Van Laarhoven - DEKRA -Complexity of AFS measurements - possible improvements

Name of author:        Wilfried van Laarhoven

Contact data:             DEKRA Certification B.V.

                                P.O. Box5185, 6802 ED Arnhem

                                TheNetherlands

Email:                        Wilfried.vanLaarhoven@dekra.com

Telephone:                 +31 88 968 3205

Topic of theabstract:Regulations/Directives/Standards

Title:                           Complexityof AFS measurements - possible improvements?

Summary

Approval testing of Advance Front lightingSystems (AFS) is becoming is a complex task and with the increasing complexityand functionality of such systems the number of tests to be performed isincreasing exponentially.

According to the UN Regulation No. 123 eachclass and mode (AFS-setting) has to meet the requirements. It means that manyluminous intensities of the left headlamp beam and the right headlamp beam haveto be measured individually. Some requirements are given for each headlamp leftand right, but most requirements apply to the system. The system mostlyconsists of a left and right headlamp, but also can contain some other beamcontributors. The luminous intensity test results of the left and rightheadlamp and of each contributor have to be combined and compared with therequirement in each angular position.

AFS of the future will become increasinglycomplex. More beam orientations sideward (swivelling) and also up- anddownwards, more light sources which can be switched on and off or can operateat any intermediate state, with and without certain beam contributors, changingintensity distributions. The beam distributions can change in steps, but alsowill change in a continuous and more natural way resulting in numerous beamdistributions.

It is clear that it is impossible tomeasure an endless number of luminous intensity distributions. Technicalservices responsible for the official approval testing, but also manufacturers,should think about new ways of testing AFS in a practical but precise way.

This presentation will show the endlessnumber of beam distributions and combinations of light distributions whichmight result from sophisticated future AFS. A number of possiblesimplifications will be shown which might reduce the number of tests to be performedtogether with the advantages and the drawbacks. Finally a few dilemmas will be highlightedwhere a simplification might result in an incomplete or incorrect judgement ofthe design of a system which shall ensure good road illumination in combinationwith acceptable limitation of glare.