BMW introduces Variable Light Distribution in 5er starting in Falll200
08-18-2007, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by cerbera' post='459996' date='Aug 18 2007, 01:03 PM
One thing it suggests is that the system can switch on the fog lights as part of the lighting to give better illumination and spread.
In the UK ( and some other European countries ) this will be interesting as its illegal to run with the fog lights on unless there are restricted visibility driving conditions....like fog.
In the UK ( and some other European countries ) this will be interesting as its illegal to run with the fog lights on unless there are restricted visibility driving conditions....like fog.
02-23-2008, 07:30 AM
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Here's some updated information (in English) to help describe the new variable light distribution system that's available on the 5 Series... 
Town light: At speeds below 50 km/h, a wide light distribution makes it easier to detect objects in the left-hand area of the road.
Motorway light: When driving on the motorway, the field of vision is extended through higher range of the light cone and more intense illumination of the left-hand area of the road. At speeds of up to 70 km/h, activating the front fog lamps results in a wide light distribution and a brightening of the close-range area. At higher speeds, in addition to the wider light distribution, range is also increased.
Lighting technology: The variable light distribution is based on the Bi-Xenon projection headlamps. The Bi-Xenon principle: a bulb shield is placed between the xenon light source and the projection lens. Its contour in the light path provides the imaging of the light distribution on the road. For the high beam, the bulb shield is electromagnetically tilted out of the beam of light in milliseconds and releases the full light output. In order to generate the variable light distributions in the case of the BMW 5 Series, Hella and BMW engineers have jointly developed an optimized bulb shield with a specially calculated contour. As a fixed component of the Bi-Xenon projection modules, which, within the framework of the corresponding ECE regulations for AFS headlamps (Adaptive Frontlighting Systems) are movable vertically and horizontally, the respectively required light distribution can be generated through intelligent triggering of the modules.
Adaptive bend lighting: The BMW equipment pack ?Adaptive bend lighting? guarantees illumination of the road according to its course. In relation to this, the swivel direction of the headlamps orients itself each time to the turning angle of the steering wheel, to the yaw rate and to the speed of the vehicle. In addition, in this equipment variant, both the ?variable light distribution? and the ?cornering light? are integrated.
Cornering light: This function becomes active at speeds below 40 km/h, as soon as the direction indicator is operated, or if an especially sharp turning angle of the steering wheel is registered. In the case of dynamic driving in bends with tight radii at speeds of up to 70 km/h, the cornering light is switched on in addition as a supplement to the illumination of the adaptive bend lighting. The cornering light allows optimum illumination of the road when maneuvering as well as when driving on tight serpentine roads.
The automatic running-light control fitted as standard makes driving in changing outside conditions even safer. With this function, the vehicle electronics checks the lighting conditions via two sensors in the windshield, and switches the low beam on automatically, as soon as this becomes necessary ? such as when driving in tunnels or as darkness falls. The rain sensor, which is also fitted as standard, is an ideal supplement to the running-light control. By means of optical measurement, this sensor automatically detects the start and the strength of rainfall. If required, it automatically activates the windshield wipers and adapts their wiping frequency to the intensity of the rainfall.
BTW, we never did end up hearing from Iceman regarding "mode #3" shown in the picture above...
Variable light distribution for the BMW 5 Series
Joint development by BMW and Hella lighting specialists.
More active safety through intelligent light control.
Lippstadt / Munich, October 2007. The current BMW 5 Series is now also available with variable light distribution. Innovative driver assistance systems offer the possibility of highly intelligent control of the optionally available Bi-Xenon headlamps. The headlamp light automatically adapts perfectly to the respective driving situation. This increases active safety when driving in the dark, without disturbing oncoming traffic.Joint development by BMW and Hella lighting specialists.
More active safety through intelligent light control.
Town light: At speeds below 50 km/h, a wide light distribution makes it easier to detect objects in the left-hand area of the road.
Motorway light: When driving on the motorway, the field of vision is extended through higher range of the light cone and more intense illumination of the left-hand area of the road. At speeds of up to 70 km/h, activating the front fog lamps results in a wide light distribution and a brightening of the close-range area. At higher speeds, in addition to the wider light distribution, range is also increased.
Lighting technology: The variable light distribution is based on the Bi-Xenon projection headlamps. The Bi-Xenon principle: a bulb shield is placed between the xenon light source and the projection lens. Its contour in the light path provides the imaging of the light distribution on the road. For the high beam, the bulb shield is electromagnetically tilted out of the beam of light in milliseconds and releases the full light output. In order to generate the variable light distributions in the case of the BMW 5 Series, Hella and BMW engineers have jointly developed an optimized bulb shield with a specially calculated contour. As a fixed component of the Bi-Xenon projection modules, which, within the framework of the corresponding ECE regulations for AFS headlamps (Adaptive Frontlighting Systems) are movable vertically and horizontally, the respectively required light distribution can be generated through intelligent triggering of the modules.
Adaptive bend lighting: The BMW equipment pack ?Adaptive bend lighting? guarantees illumination of the road according to its course. In relation to this, the swivel direction of the headlamps orients itself each time to the turning angle of the steering wheel, to the yaw rate and to the speed of the vehicle. In addition, in this equipment variant, both the ?variable light distribution? and the ?cornering light? are integrated.
Cornering light: This function becomes active at speeds below 40 km/h, as soon as the direction indicator is operated, or if an especially sharp turning angle of the steering wheel is registered. In the case of dynamic driving in bends with tight radii at speeds of up to 70 km/h, the cornering light is switched on in addition as a supplement to the illumination of the adaptive bend lighting. The cornering light allows optimum illumination of the road when maneuvering as well as when driving on tight serpentine roads.
The automatic running-light control fitted as standard makes driving in changing outside conditions even safer. With this function, the vehicle electronics checks the lighting conditions via two sensors in the windshield, and switches the low beam on automatically, as soon as this becomes necessary ? such as when driving in tunnels or as darkness falls. The rain sensor, which is also fitted as standard, is an ideal supplement to the running-light control. By means of optical measurement, this sensor automatically detects the start and the strength of rainfall. If required, it automatically activates the windshield wipers and adapts their wiping frequency to the intensity of the rainfall.
BTW, we never did end up hearing from Iceman regarding "mode #3" shown in the picture above...
02-23-2008, 10:06 AM
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If LEDs are indeed going to be implemented as part of this VLD system, then it's about time.
02-23-2008, 10:24 AM
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This was described in detail in the Winter edition of the BMW magazine. Its not going to be LED though.
02-23-2008, 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by bruce_miranda' post='535002' date='Feb 23 2008, 02:24 PM
This was described in detail in the Winter edition of the BMW magazine. Its not going to be LED though.
02-23-2008, 09:53 PM
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Just looking at rudy's picture... Holy crap 6 types of lighting depending on speed... now what happened to halogen headlights? or better yet... 1912 cars... where there was a lantern in there... 
02-27-2008, 10:53 AM
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Originally Posted by Wiu-Bimmer' post='459756' date='Aug 17 2007, 12:36 PM
kewl (Cool).
I wonder how long will it take for Lexus to copy that
I wonder how long will it take for Lexus to copy that
Lexus is copying Benz.
BMW is copying Benz.
Deal with it, Benz is still the leader when it comes to automotive technology.
02-27-2008, 11:46 AM
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Originally Posted by soliterry' post='536800' date='Feb 27 2008, 11:53 AM
Lexus is not copying BMW.
Lexus is copying Benz.
BMW is copying Benz.
Deal with it, Benz is still the leader when it comes to automotive technology.
Lexus is copying Benz.
BMW is copying Benz.
Deal with it, Benz is still the leader when it comes to automotive technology.
HA! they were once... not any more... thanks to chrysler... so the LS trunk look like the S class trunk right? And BMW stole that idea for their 7 from merc... oh and the iDrive too right?
02-27-2008, 12:59 PM
#20
Originally Posted by soliterry' post='536800' date='Feb 27 2008, 11:53 AM
Lexus is not copying BMW.
Lexus is copying Benz.
BMW is copying Benz.
Deal with it, Benz is still the leader when it comes to automotive technology.
Lexus is copying Benz.
BMW is copying Benz.
Deal with it, Benz is still the leader when it comes to automotive technology.
logical error... visual error... mental error...
somebody please fix this...