Volvo XC60 competes with Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK.
Several innovations equip the car mainly in active safety, lighting and driver assistance safety systems.
3 parts are analysed: Front lighting, Rear lighting and Driver system assistance systems.
Front lighting was presented on the 28th of October.
We present this week the second part with the rear lighting.
The rear lighting is made in 3 parts, Main rear lamp, CHMSL and reverse/fog.
Rear lamp: The main and important innovation is about the perfect homogeneity obtained by MicroOptics technology made by Valeo
CHMSL: No big innovations.
Large dimension but only a part is lit.
Reverse/Rear fog lamp: the 2 lamps are outside the main rear lamp, at the bottom of the car.
Rear lamp
It is an accentuation of current Volvo styling signature from a perfect homogeneity of the tail lamp.
The rear light offers a unique lighting and signalling style using a new optical surface that spreads light uniformly.
MicroOptics technology developed by Valeo can diffuse a fully configurable light source. The light from just a few LEDs, for example, can be evenly spread across a very large area, such as rear lighting. It is also possible to produce shading effects that give the lights a 3-D appearance.
Compliant with current regulations, this technology offers yet greater design freedom such as differentiated daytime and night-time styling. It can be applied both to front and rear exterior lighting, even if they have complex shapes.
Combined with LEDs, MicroOptics technology offers the benefits of low power consumption and a lifetime equal to that of the vehicle itself.
This technology is in competition with Light Curtain technology from Hella
Some other new technologies also present homogeneous bands of light, first implemented via light guides,Neon tube like effects have been seen on the BMW 7er which will be surely extend to the other BMW cars, and also on electric cars like the Nissan Nuvu.
Principle of MicroOptics technology
Light output from:
– Efficient dots issued from injected part
– Lay-out and design offers numerous styling possibilities
Controled added optic system: Use of:
– Classical bulb function
– 1 supplementary LED
– Bevelled edge
– Internal Fresnel pins
Compatible with standard LED sources and plastic materials (PMMA, PC)
Possible appearances
Contrast effect between switch ON/OFF
Neutral and invisible OFF
Ultra homogeneous ON, even for large and complex screens
Realization
Central High Mounted Stop Lamp
Dimensions: 800mm X 65mm X 40mm
Weight: 275g
Watertight
PMMA lens welded to PC+ABS housing
PCB one side with12 Osram TopLEDs
Lighting input flux: 28 lm
Voltage range: 10V – 16V