The evolution of car lights

The evolution of car lights

In 1885, Karl Benz of Germany built the world's first prototype car-a motor tricycle, and transferred the lamps used in the carriage to the car. With the development of automobiles, car lights are also developing simultaneously. According to the classification of light sources, the evolution of car lights generally passes through the following stages:

1. Kerosene lamp or candle

Initially, the light source used for the headlights and taillights was a kerosene lamp or candle, with a parabolic reflector. But its luminous intensity is too low to illuminate the requirements of the road ahead.

2. Acetylene lamp

In 1905, acetylene lamps began to be used in car lamps. Although incandescent lamps had appeared at the time, due to its poor vibration resistance, the luminous intensity was much lower than the luminous intensity of the flame of the acetylene lamp; another reason was that there were no generators and batteries in the car at this time; the acetylene lamp was a car during this period The main light source of the lamp continued until 1912.

3. Electric light source lamp

After 1913, the headlights using incandescent bulbs were fully used in cars. This is due to the inert gas-filled incandescent light bulb invented in 1913 and the electric start engine and corresponding electrical system invented in 1912. After the electric start engine and corresponding electrical system became a necessary part of the car in 1925, the light source of the car lamp also All are replaced with incandescent lamps, and its light efficiency is 15lm/W ~ 18lm/W. The light source has been used internationally until the 1950s and in China until 1990.

4. Halogen lamp

It is an electric light source lamp, an improved type of incandescent lamp, was developed in 1960. 

5. Gas discharge lamp

The gas discharge lamp is abbreviated as HID, which uses high-voltage electricity to break down the inert gas in the bulb to glow. 

6. Solid light source

Among solid-state light sources, LEDs are used as representatives. Previously, LEDs were only used in signal lights, but with the development of technology, LEDs will also be used in headlights.