The main reason for these legal requirements is not, as expected, better view by enlargement of the range of illumination, but rather the avoidance of glare of oncoming vehicles.

 

A soiled outer lens is not only reducing light out put but also the effect of scattered light.

 

Thus even when driving with low beam applications, the oncoming traffic can be glared.

 

Up to a soiling grade of roughly 60% this effect is increasing.

The headlamp lens generally is cleaned when switched on in combination with the cleaning procedure of the windshield.

 

Automotive Lighting offers different types of headlamp cleaning systems, static nozzles and telescopic nozzles.

 

Static nozzles are visibly situated on the bumper.

 

Aerodynamic headlamps with bigger sweep and inclination require telescope systems.

 

In these systems the nozzle holder is hidden for example inside the bumper and reaches the appropriate spraying position by a hydraulic movement.

 

In the off position the nozzles are hidden by a nozzle cap on the bumper.

 

Nozzle holder, cap and the telescope fixing unit normally are harmonized with the individual car.