Hella has announced they are developing OLED rear combination lamps with Audi and they have been integrated in to the new Audi A8.
The appearance of headlamps and rear combination lamps is no longer only at night-time an important distinction characteristic for automotive manufacturers. Especially homogeneous lighting functions are of increasing importance here.
For its flagship car, Audi has made the decision to adopt area lighting based on OLED lighting panels in its rear combination lamps.
Each OLED is divided into four segments, each individually controllable, enabling different sequences of illumination. The two upper segments are primarily to support the stop light while the lower ones complement the tail light, which is realised above the OLEDs as a lighting strip using LEDs. The combination of LED and OLED light sources creates the vehicle's unique look.
The OLEDs consist of organic semiconductor layers that can be distributed across a carrier material. Two electrodes will then cause the layers to illuminate evenly. For a homogeneous appearance, the technology can therefore do away with reflectors, light guides or additional optics.
Hella said that the rear combination lamps in the new Audi A8 consist of three parts and extend across the full width of the rear of the vehicle. A total of eight OLEDs are used.
Hella has been active in researching OLED technology since 2005 and has adapted it for automotive manufacturers so that its meets the requirements regarding e.g. temperature resistance and a long service life.
For integrating OLED technology into the rear combination lamp, Hella developers have invented novel connection technologies, more specifically a special adhesive system ensuring the safe fixation of the OLEDs while also not limiting the design.
All research and development works have then directly been a factor in serial production. Hella has conceived of and built a highly automated assembly line at the Lippstadt location, meeting the highest standards of retraceability and reproducibility.
"The OLEDs furthermore allow for completely new design possibilities."
Dr. Michael Kleinkes, Head of Lighting Technology Development at HELLA