TMSBrad

• Innovative lighting system emphasizes active safety, efficiency, design
• Headlamps on concept vehicle allow drivers to see around corners at night
• Another Ford first uses unique optics package

DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 28 – Ford Motor Company's next generation of adaptive lighting takes "smart" headlamps to a new level. Beyond style and function, active safety is at the heart of this innovative system.

With a unique two-part optics package, Ford's new Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS), allows drivers to see better around curves in the road than they do with current cornering systems. AFS is among the advanced lighting technologies being unveiled on three Ford Motor Company concept vehicles at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

The lighting system of one concept vehicle stands out in environmental innovation, featuring solar-powered headlamps and tail lamps. This patented, innovative system captures the sun light during the day and reuses it to power headlights at night.

A third concept vehicle incorporates the latest in lighting technology – head-intensity light emitting diodes (LEDs) in headlights – with a unique style, underscoring the design possibilities of headlights. The look and feel of these headlamps make one think of American cameras of the Fifties.

Meanwhile, AFS helps puts Ford at the forefront in nighttime driving safety, addressing one of the most dangerous driving conditions in the United States. In 2004, more than 20 percent of all fatal accidents occurred between midnight and 6 a.m. – a period that accounts for only 2.4 percent of daily traffic volume, according to the U.S. Federal Department of Transportation.

Even as the 2007 Lincoln Aviator features current cornering front lighting technology, Ford is working on the next generation of adaptive lighting.

Industry Breakthrough

AFS represents an industry breakthrough in front lighting technology. Current cornering – or swivel – systems are made up of one-piece modules that turn as a single unit with the vehicle as it approaches a curve. It works much like a flashlight, lighting the area where the beam is pointed. When the beam is moved, the first area is left dark.

In contrast, AFS incorporates two independent light sources: a high-output halogen projector for the main beam and a secondary row of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that illuminates almost instantaneously, distributes the light beam evenly and consumes less power than conventional lights.

"The way the optics in this system work together has not been seen before in the exterior lighting world," said Mahendra Dassanayake, staff technical specialist, Optical Electronics. "Besides being a beautifully designed light, the system allows drivers to take corners and curves more safely – and consume less energy while doing so."

How it Works

The AFS brain, sensing when the vehicle approaches a curve, directs the row of LEDs to switch on sequentially, increasing the amount of additional light around the bend. As the vehicle turns, the LEDs illuminate at a rate and intensity determined by the degree and speed of the turn. Electronic sensors analyze inputs from the steering wheel and the vehicle speed to determine how and when to illuminate the LEDs. The LEDs automatically switch off when the road straightens out. Meanwhile, the main beam continues to illuminate the overall road.

"The result is more light, precisely placed," said Dassanayake. "We're not taking light from one spot on the road and moving it to another, as today's cornering systems do. We're adding light, making nighttime driving safer."

Taking LEDs to the Next Level

Ford is among the first automakers to put high-intensity LEDs into production. Today, Ford uses LEDs in brake lights in nearly every current model. With AFS, Ford is showing how LEDs can be used in front lighting systems.

LEDs are the preferred technology for several reasons. While halogen bulbs take a fraction of a second to respond to an electrical input, LEDs respond almost instantly, giving valuable extra warning time to other drivers. LEDs are efficient, saving 200 watts of power and using up to 50 percent less electricity than halogen lights.

With leaner packaging than conventional lights, LEDs also create new possibilities for signature lighting, allowing more flexibility in design.

Lincoln's Lighting Leadership

Ford Motor Company's Lincoln division has a rich history as a leader in lighting technology. Form the bullet-shaped dual filament headlights on the 1927 Lincoln to the industry's first of use of halogen headlamps on the 1979 Lincoln Versailles, Ford holds a long list of lighting patents.

Ford was the first automaker to introduce aerodynamic profile headlamps in the early 1980s, debuting in the Lincoln Mark VII. The switch from the then-standard box head beam provided better airflow around the headlight, improving fuel efficiency. Several years later, Ford became the first North American automaker to offer HID (high intensity discharge) headlamps when the technology were featured on the Lincoln Mark VIII.

Later, Ford introduced the first twin-beam faceted headlamp, placing the low and high beam function in the same cavity as opposed to using four beams. The company also introduced the industry's first plastic projection lens lamp.

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mr-mstng

What's old is new again. 1948 Tucker.

1999 Black 35th GT

I'm glad to see Ford is not going with the swivel headlamps. Lexus, VW and a few other companies have been having issues with the headlight motors seizing.

I think the LED system is a much better idea. Uses less power and LED last a very long time. Neat article Brad.

Zastava_101

Galaxie

personally I think its overkill unless you live in a rural area.

one ill-placed rock from a dumptruck or kicked up from a dirt road will cost a great deal for the assembly to be replaced IMO.

1999 Black 35th GT

You do have a point there Galaxie. My whole headlight unit for my Olds is $129 bucks, luckily I found an aftermarket one for $54. If my simple head light unit was that price I would hate to see the price for a unit like that.

Thats one reason I miss the '86 Stang. It only cost $8 to replace one of those old square lights.

Though there are preventive measures you can take. My father's friend has an A8 that he put these clear headlight things on, almost like the 3M clear stuff for the bumpers that you can get, just a tad thicker.

TomServo92

Here's link to a video showing the new lamps in action. Also, here's a pic of the Lincoln concept they're attached to:

1999 Black 35th GT

Thanks Mark! That is really freaking cool!!!!

Evil_Capri

If it has the 4.4 and AWD . . . it'll be even cooler!

GirchyGirchy

$8?!? You got robbed! I think mine were $6 each.

1999 Black 35th GT

Yeah you know Kmart they over charge Yeah I miss having that simplicity. With greater technology comes greater cost.

Rogue6

Just don't change it much from concept to reality...and it will sell! Look out Lexus! I say Lexus because I just went and looked at a new IS...I was thoroughly impressed with all the technology included for a car priced at 30K!

mustang_sallad

That's a sweet looking concept! Am i missing something? Is there any more info on that concept? What's it called, DS3? Any more photos?

Lemme see if i've got this straight. 3 Concepts. One has solar powered head and tail lights, not LEDs (why's that? if LEDs are more energy efficient, wouldn't it be easier to power LEDs than incandescent bulbs?). The second concept just has straight up LED head lights, no cornering business. And then the third concept is the one in the video that Mark posted, with the sleek looking headlamps and both a halogen bulb for the main beam and the LEDs for the corners?

Okay, for the AFS stuff... I agree all this complexity means it'll be more expensive repair. But what's good about this is that it'll probably be cheaper to repair than a headlamp that's full of motors and moving parts and stuff, at least once the price of LEDs comes down with more models using them, if that even is a factor at all. It probably weighs significantly less too. Even just a tiny little motor weighs a good deal. Extra LEDs that don't move around at all are a smarter way of going about it, in my opinion. As for needing adaptive lighting in the first place? True, we can certainly live without, but we lived without pretty much every bit of technology we consider necessary nowadays. We're always gonna keep thinking of new things that we don't necessarily need, but a lot of people will want cause its cool.

that concept looks very very sweet. Anybody else seeing any Iosis in there?

mustang_sallad

ooof... looking at the Iosis now... it definitely had a big influence on this concept.
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Its like, iosis meets the Zephyr. Lets hope they build it! They gotta! I'm guessing this is gonna be an LS replacement, or maybe a continental type thing.
Not sure how many cars will be in the lincoln line up... Zephyr, LS or replacement, Continental, and Town Car?

I'm pretty excited to see this car in detroit!

shatter

I love this one. I'd love to see how a headlight allows me to see AROUND a corner. That implies I have not gotten past the corner yet! :bang:

Pretty soon cars are going to give us x-ray vision so we can see through ladies clothes too (a la Sony Nightvision video camera)!??

TomServo92

I think you're taking this just a bit too literally. What they're talking about is that the illumination is angled in the direction you're turning insteadf of just pointing straight ahead.

OTOH, if you're trying to make a joke, then