VOLVO GENUINE HEADLAMP

VOLVO GENUINE HEADLAMP
The headlamp is one of the most important components in the
vehicle. It is responsible for giving the driver a clear visibility on
the dark road and also in cases of severe driving conditions.
People often mix up the terminology headlamp and bulb (lamp). A headlamp illuminates the area in front of the car. A bulb (lamp) is the light source
which produces the light which is used in the optical system of a headlamp.
Their characteristics differ. No matter how good the headlamp is – with an
inferior bulb the headlamp will not do justice to itself. An original Volvo
headlamp is tuned together with the specified light source.
Volvo cars are known for their easy maintenance when it comes to
bulb change.
Today, every second Volvo car is sold with a Xenon headlamp.* There are
different standards – European (ECE) and American (US/CAN) due to the
difference in regulation as well as left and right hand traffic. When a car is
equipped with a Xenon Light the technical content differ from a standard
Halogen car by chassis sensors, dedicated cable harness as well as software
for the bending function (if equipped with bending). This is why retrofit
of the Xenon headlamp is not feasible on an original specified Halogen
headlamp vehicle.
The vehicle industry would have liked to have a common view on the
different regulations of today, which would have saved money and made
it easier to trade.
The driving factors behind the development of the light system have been:
• Increase in vehicle performance
• Increase in traffic density
• More severe emission regulations
There are several legal requirements that affect the area of car lighting.
New regulations allowed to develop a so called intelligent lighting (headlamp adapts its performance/direction) in function of the road (bends
and curves) and the environment (city, country, weather). These intelligent
lightings are developed to enhance safety of drivers at night.
In the US it is mandatory to have a side reflex on the headlamp.
Since 2011 all new cars must be equipped with Daytime running light
(DRL). DRL aims to reduce the number of accidents during the day by 25 %
and could save up to some 2000 lives in Europe.
Product evolution at Volvo
2012
1960197019801990200020102020
2002
2006
2013
Halogen
Xenon
Bi-Xenon
ABL
AHB
version 1
AHB
version 2
*May differ in different markets.
Let there be light
Lighting technology has its own special terms and concepts for defining
the characteristics of lamps and luminaires and for standardizing the units
of measurement. There are several different ways of measuring light. The
most common terms are – Candela, Lumen and Lux.
Candela (cd) is a measure for the luminous intensity of a lighting device.
Lumen (lm) is a measure for luminous flux. The luminous flux is a measurement
on how much light a light source generates and is a form of lighting power.
Lux = Lumen per m² is a measure for the illumination on a lit area.
A headlamp normally contains the following functions:
• High beam
• Low beam
• Side marker light
• Direction indicator
• Position light
Overview of light sources/headlamps
Today Volvo cars have three types of headlamps:
1. Halogen 2. Xenon (Gas Discharge Lamp) 3. ABL (Active Bi-Xenon Light).
HALOGEN
XENON
ABL
Main features
Tungsten bulb. The filament of halogen
bulbs is heated at 3400°C with electric
energy brought by the battery. Different
dimensions. Higher energy consumption
(65 W).
Xenon bulbs are composed of gas and
Identical to Xenon but with a module that
metallic salt. The high voltage that is used can swivel horizontally.
to generate the spark is some 20,000 volts.
Intelligent leveling system that adapts to
the load, acceleration and braking.
Benefits
Affordable solution Mature and
known technology. Average service life
(1000 hrs)*. Bright illumination.
The light is much brighter than that of
halogen. Additional braking distance of
45 m. CO2 emission reduction. Average
service life (3000 hrs). Lower energy
consumption (35 W).
90 % better visibility in curves when driving
in the dark.
*Long life bulb.
The Halogen headlamp
The Xenon headlamp
Halogen headlamps are the most popular in the automotive world as they
are cheap and have quite a long life when originally equipped with a “long
life” bulb. It contains a normal filament bulb.
The biggest problem with halogen is that while generating the radiating
light, the bulb also creates a large amount of heat, which is wasted energy.
The Xenon lamp is sometimes referred to as HIDs (High Intensity Discharge
lamp). It is a more efficient solution mostly because of the colour temperature
and the amount of light they generate. The illumination, which is bright and
homogenous, is very close to that of daylight.
Xenon light has 100 % more luminosity than halogen and therefore
offers better visibility and better safety and comfort for night driving.
Bi-Xenon means that the headlamp unit can handle both low and high
beam. Volvo also strengthens the high beam additionally for road safety
by adding an extra high beam reflector. Compared to halogen lamps the
Bi-Xenon lamp can increase your visual field by 230 %. This means that
the driver has an additional 45 meters of braking distance.
Active Bending Light (ABL)
ABL has all the benefits of the Xenon technology, but with an additional
element of being able to swivel horizontally. ABL gives up to 90 % greater
visibility in bends and intersections on the road ahead.
ABL is active bending headlamps with a swiveling lighting module of
up to +/–15 degrees horizontally.
A daylight sensor disengages the adaptive function during daytime to
extend its lifespan. Independent of the load, these headlights are able
to self-adjust to maintain the correct aim to the road – also during hard
acceleration or braking.
Active High Beam (AHB)
AHB was introduced in 2012. This version automatically switches between
low beam and high beam.
This version is available for: S80/V70/XC70, S60/V60/XC60,
V40/V40 Cross Country
to switch between high and low beam, which is one of many reasons behind
accidents at night time according to several studies.
The biggest advantage compared to a conventional high beam system is
that the driver easily detects parked cars, pedestrians and animals.
AHB uses the camera at the top of the windscreen. The camera detects
vehicles that need to be protected from glaring. The control unit sends
the information to a smart dipping mechanism which is built inside the
headlamp. A small cylinder with cross sections of different shapes gives the
opportunity to shield as much of the light as needed not to glare opposing
and preceding cars.
The new version of the AHB technology is only working with ABL headlamps and requires that the car is equipped with Driver support or Driver
Alert.
AHB works in speeds of more than 20 km/h and is automatically turned
off at 15 km/h.
• Cars equipped with ABL headlamps, all markets
• Cars with Halogen, only US and Canada.
A newer and updated version of the AHB was introduced in 2013.
The new version is available for all markets except US and Canada.
(Only S/V and XC60 MY13 and onwards).
This version of AHB gives a much safer driving in the dark. With this
technology the high beam is constantly on and the driver does not need
SELLING POINTS FOR VOLVO HEADLAMPS
1. When you buy Volvo Genuine headlamps, you know you get the best for your Volvo
As long as you always replace your headlamps with Volvo Genuine lamps, you know that you get quality lamps that bundle their light
in the right way to ensure optimum illumination of the road.
2. Optimum performance and outstanding precision
Volvo Genuine headlamps precisely match the installation conditions in the vehicle, with exact and aligned fit and finish.
3. Reliable operation, consistent performance and optimum lifetime
No matter how good the headlamp is – with an inferior bulb the headlamp will not do itself justice. A Volvo Genuine headlamp complies
with Volvo Cars’ high quality requirements and is tuned together with the specified light source.

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