LED irradiation device for enhancing road lane visibility

Abstract

The present invention relates to an LED illumination device for enhancing the visibility of road lanes, and provides a technology that improves the lane recognition rate of drivers and autonomous vehicles by optimizing the lighting patterns of lane indicator LEDs and street light LEDs through real-time road environment analysis based on artificial intelligence (AI). The LED illumination device for enhancing the visibility of road lanes according to the present invention comprises a lighting unit, an angle adjustment unit, and a support body, wherein the lighting unit comprises a body, a camera, a lane indicator LED, a street light LED, a control unit, and a power supply unit. The control unit evaluates the visibility of the road by analyzing data collected from the camera through an artificial intelligence algorithm, and controls the street light LED to switch its function to a lane indicator LED when the visibility drops below a certain standard.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility, and more specifically, to an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that detects road conditions in real time, evaluates road visibility through an artificial intelligence algorithm, and controls the function of streetlight LEDs to switch to lane marking LEDs when visibility drops below a certain standard. Background Technology

[0003] Drivers and autonomous vehicles must recognize lane markings and maintain their lanes while driving on the road. However, during inclement weather or nighttime driving, the visibility of existing road lanes is reduced, increasing the risk of accidents.

[0004] When it rains or snows, lane recognition is difficult because the road surface reflects or covers the lanes, and in foggy environments, lane contrast is reduced, making it difficult to recognize lanes with the naked eye and cameras.

[0005] The visibility of reflective road lanes varies depending on the beam angle and reflectivity of vehicle headlights, and there is a possibility that a driver's ability to keep their lane may be reduced, particularly on highways and curved roads.

[0006] For camera and LiDAR-based autonomous vehicles, the performance of lane-keeping algorithms deteriorates when the contrast of road lanes decreases, increasing the risk of vehicle deviation from the path and accidents.

[0007] Existing embedded systems installed directly on lanes present challenges regarding maintenance and construction. Technology that ensures nighttime visibility using lane paint containing reflective glass beads suffers from degraded reflective performance during adverse weather conditions and reduced effectiveness due to wear over long-term use. Conventional fixed LED lighting maintains a constant light output regardless of weather conditions, resulting in unnecessary power consumption. Laser lane marking systems integrated with road traffic systems rely on data provided by external systems rather than assessing road lane conditions themselves; consequently, they may not match real-time road conditions and may not align with the recognition rates of autonomous vehicle cameras. Prior art literature

[0009] (Patent Document 0001) JP 5982325 B2(Patent Document 0002) KR 2689525 B1(Patent Document 0003) KR 2644516 B1 The problem to be solved

[0010] The present invention aims to provide an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that can overcome the disadvantages of the aforementioned prior art by using artificial intelligence to illuminate lane marking LEDs during inclement weather to enhance road lane visibility, while consuming unnecessary power by illuminating only when necessary depending on the situation, and enabling the illumination of lane marking LEDs in accordance with real-time road conditions by independently collecting and analyzing data without relying on data provided by an external system. means of solving the problem

[0012] According to one embodiment of the present invention, to achieve the above objective, an LED illumination device for enhancing the visibility of a road lane comprises: a lighting unit; a support body positioned on the outer side in the width direction of the road and supporting the lighting unit on the road; and an angle adjustment unit that connects the lighting unit and the support body by a hinge connection and adjusts the illumination angle; wherein the lighting unit comprises: an elliptical body; a camera connected to the upper part of the body to detect the visibility of the road lane and acquire an image; a plurality of lane marking LEDs arranged in a row in the center of the front part of the body to provide green light that clearly indicates the road lane during deteriorating weather conditions; a plurality of street light LEDs arranged in two rows with the lane marking LEDs in the center on the front part of the body to provide white light on the road; and a control unit disposed inside the body to evaluate the visibility of the road by analyzing data collected from the camera through an artificial intelligence algorithm, and to control the function of the street light LEDs to switch to lane marking LEDs when the visibility drops below a certain standard. A road lane visibility enhancement LED illumination device comprising a power supply unit disposed inside the body and connected to the camera, the lane indicator LED, the street light LED, and the control unit to supply power, wherein the control unit performs supervised learning and reinforcement learning in parallel and includes an artificial intelligence learning model that learns the correlation between lane contrast and road visibility in various road environments based on actual driving data of an autonomous vehicle.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the LED for streetlights and the LED for lane marking are arranged within a common optical lens assembly and configured to selectively switch between streetlight functions and lane marking functions under the control of the control unit, thereby serving as an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that can efficiently change lighting functions according to the road environment.

[0014] According to another embodiment, the support can be installed by selecting one of an integrated type, a modular type, and a plate-combined type support depending on the road environment and installation conditions, and the modular type support has a telescopic structure that allows for height adjustment, and the plate-combined type support includes a fixing plate that can be directly attached to an existing road structure, so that it may be an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that can flexibly respond to various road environments.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the angle adjustment unit may be an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that includes an inner hinge coupling member fixed to the rear portion of the body, an outer hinge coupling member fixed to the lower portion of the support, and a hinge pivot joint connecting the inner and outer hinge coupling members by a hinge coupling, wherein a servo motor or actuator is connected to the hinge pivot joint to automatically adjust the illumination angle according to the command of the control unit.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the angle adjustment unit includes a damper or an anti-vibration rubber pad to prevent the beam angle from being deformed due to external shock or vibration, and

[0017] The stiffness of the above damper or anti-vibration rubber pad can be adjusted according to the road environment, so it may be an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that can respond to various vibration conditions.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the angle adjustment unit may additionally include a locking device or a tightening screw so that the beam angle does not change when fixed at a specific angle after adjustment is complete, and the locking device may be an LED beam device for enhancing road lane visibility that includes an electronic locking mechanism to remotely fix and release the beam angle.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the control unit may be an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that can exchange data with adjacent LED illumination devices using a communication module and optimize the visibility of the entire road by utilizing the received data for learning and analysis. Effects of the invention

[0021] The present invention can provide optimal lane visibility even in various road and weather environments by applying an artificial intelligence-based road visibility analysis and optimized lighting control system.

[0022] It analyzes collected data based on an AI learning model that simulates deteriorating weather conditions to evaluate lane contrast and enables automatic adjustment of lighting patterns accordingly.

[0023] It analyzes road visibility in real time and lights only the necessary LEDs depending on the situation to prevent unnecessary power consumption.

[0024] LED streetlights are turned on when the road becomes dark at night or due to cloudy weather, and LED lane markings are turned on when visibility is reduced because road lanes are obscured or reflected due to causes such as snow, rain, fog, or fine dust.

[0025] In situations where it is nighttime and weather conditions are severe, causing lane contrast to drop below 50% and preventing drivers and autonomous vehicles from properly identifying lanes, streetlight LEDs and lane marking LEDs are illuminated simultaneously. Streetlight LEDs illuminate the entire road, and lane marking LEDs highlight lane boundaries, enabling drivers and autonomous vehicles to clearly perceive the road environment even in adverse nighttime weather conditions.

[0026] In cases where lane visibility is rapidly reduced due to sudden deterioration in weather conditions, or in sharp curves, tunnel entrances / exits, bridges, or road construction zones, the flashing mode allows the driver to recognize the lane more carefully.

[0027] When it rains or the road surface is wet and lane reflection becomes strong, the brightness of the lane marking LEDs can be adjusted to reduce the reflected light. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0029] FIG. 1 is a drawing for explaining the lighting part of an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a drawing illustrating an angle adjustment unit of an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating an angle adjustment unit of an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a drawing illustrating a support for an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing illustrating a support for an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility according to one embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0030] To fully understand the structure and effects of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the attached drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various forms and various modifications can be made. The description of the embodiments is provided merely to ensure that the disclosure of the present invention is complete and to efficiently explain the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains.

[0031] An LED illumination device for enhancing visibility of a road lane according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a lighting unit (10), a support body (30), and an angle adjustment unit (20) that connects the lighting unit (10) and the support body (30) by a hinge connection.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 1, the lighting unit (10) includes an elliptical body (11), a plurality of lane marking LEDs (13) arranged in a row in the center of the front of the body (11) to provide green light that clearly indicates road lanes when the weather is bad, a plurality of street light LEDs (14) arranged in two rows with the lane marking LEDs (13) in the center of the front of the body (11) to provide white light on the road, a control unit arranged inside the body (11) to evaluate the visibility of the road by analyzing data collected from a camera (12) through an artificial intelligence algorithm, and to control the switching of the function of the street light LEDs (14) to the lane marking LEDs (13) when the visibility is lowered below a certain standard, and a power supply unit that supplies power to the lighting unit (10).

[0033] The body (11) is elliptical and formed of a highly durable material to provide protection against external impacts and weather conditions in a road environment. Since a lighting module, a control unit, and a power supply unit are arranged inside the body (11), a material that is waterproof and resistant to high temperatures is used.

[0034] The camera (12) is connected to the upper part of the body (11) to photograph the lanes of the road and transmit the acquired image to the control unit. The specifications of the camera (12), which determines the contrast and visibility of the lanes of the road, are maintained at a level similar to that of a vision sensor used in an autonomous vehicle.

[0035] In the front part of the body (11), a plurality of lane marking LEDs (13) are arranged in a row in the center in the width direction, and a plurality of street light LEDs (14) are arranged in two rows above and below at a certain distance from the lane marking LEDs (13).

[0036] The LED (13) for lane marking and the LED (14) for streetlights are placed within the same optical lens assembly, which helps the two light sources form an optimal light distribution pattern through a single lens system.

[0037] To increase lane contrast, the lane marking LED (13) is configured with high-brightness LEDs in a multi-array form so that the lane is clearly visible even in night and low-light environments. By using LED chips with a higher light output than general LEDs, driver visibility is maximized, and a high-reflection coating is applied to the lens and surrounding area of ​​the lane marking LED (13) to enhance the contrast between the surrounding road surface and the lane when light is irradiated.

[0038] The lane marking LED (13) can adjust the brightness of the light, so when it rains or the road surface is wet and the lane reflection becomes strong, the brightness of the lane marking LED (13) is adjusted to reduce the reflected light.

[0039] The LED (13) for lane marking is designed to selectively use continuous light and flashing light, so that when the visibility of the lane is rapidly reduced due to sudden deterioration of the weather or when the visibility of the lane is reduced in sharp curves, tunnel entrances, bridges, road construction sections, etc., the driver can change to a flashing mode to recognize the lane more carefully.

[0040] The control unit evaluates the visibility of the road by analyzing data collected from the camera in real time using a pre-trained artificial intelligence model, and if the visibility drops below a certain standard, it activates the street light LED (14) and the lane indicator LED (13).

[0041] The AI ​​learning model learns the correlation between lane contrast and road visibility in various road environments based on actual driving data from autonomous vehicles. It analyzes how clearly lanes are visible under various weather conditions and learns the optimal LED lighting strategy.

[0042] AI learning learns the optimal lighting control strategy by combining supervised learning and reinforcement learning.

[0043] Supervised learning is the training of predictive models based on historical data, such as determining lane contrast under various weather and road conditions, assessing how much LED lighting methods can improve lane recognition rates under specific illumination and weather conditions, and analyzing lane clarity using CNN (Convolutional Neural Network)-based image processing models.

[0044] Reinforcement learning is a learning process in which artificial intelligence learns to optimize LED lighting strategies in a real-time changing road environment, selects an LED lighting method, and optimizes in real-time by receiving feedback on the resulting improvement in lane recognition rates.

[0045] AI models establish criteria for evaluating road lane visibility based on learned data. The required visibility may vary depending on different road types and weather conditions. For example, highways require higher visibility because high vehicle speeds necessitate drivers or autonomous vehicles recognizing lanes far away in advance.

[0046] When the road becomes dark at night or when the weather is cloudy, the streetlight LED (14) is turned on, and when visibility is reduced because the road lane is obscured or reflected due to snow, rain, fog, or fine dust, the lane marking LED (13) is turned on.

[0047] In situations where it is night and the weather is severely bad, causing the lane contrast to drop to 50% or less and the driver and autonomous vehicle cannot properly identify the lane, the street light LED (14) and the lane indicator LED (13) are turned on simultaneously. The entire road is illuminated by the street light LED (14), and the lane indicator LED (13) highlights the lane boundaries so that the driver and autonomous vehicle can clearly recognize the road environment even in bad weather at night.

[0048] In cases where lane visibility is rapidly reduced due to sudden deterioration of weather conditions, or in situations where lane visibility is reduced at sharp curves, tunnel entrances / exits, bridges, or road construction zones, the system may switch to a flashing mode to allow the driver to recognize the lane more carefully.

[0049] The control unit includes a communication module to enable an administrator to control the irradiation device. The communication module may enable communication with another computing device or smart device using at least one external port. Alternatively, it may enable wireless communication with another computing device or smart device by including an RF circuit to transmit and receive RF signals. The communication module may include circuits for RF communication of various communication methods (WiFi, 3G, LTE, Bluetooth, NFC, Zigbee, etc.). The administrator can access the control unit through the communication module to update data for artificial intelligence learning and can manually change the irradiation angle by controlling the angle adjustment unit.

[0050] The control unit can exchange data with adjacent LED illumination devices using a communication module, and optimizes the visibility of the entire road by utilizing the received data for learning and analysis.

[0051] The control unit may be implemented as a hardware component, a software component, and / or a combination of a hardware component and a software component. For example, it may be implemented using one or more general-purpose or special-purpose computers, such as a processor, a controller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor, a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic unit (PLU), a microprocessor, or any other device capable of executing and responding to instructions.

[0052] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the angle adjustment unit (20) includes an inner hinge connecting member (23) fixed to the rear portion of the body (11), an outer hinge connecting member (22) fixed to the bottom portion of the support (30), and a hinge pivot joint (21) connecting the inner and outer hinge connecting members (22, 23) by a hinge connection. The hinge pivot joint (21) is designed to be positioned between the two hinge connecting members (22, 23) so as to be rotatable. The two hinge connecting members (22, 23) are identically U-shaped and have hinge holes on both sides. The inner hinge connecting member (23) and the outer hinge connecting member (22) have the same shape and width, but their lengths are designed to be shorter so that the inner hinge connecting member (23) can fit inside the outer hinge connecting member (22). The hinge pivot joint (21) penetrates the hinge holes of the two hinge connecting members (22, 23) and hinges the two hinge connecting members (22, 23).

[0053] The angle adjustment unit (20) can adjust the irradiation angle of the LED irradiation device by connecting the body (11) and the support (30) with a hinge joint. The irradiation angle can be adjusted by moving the body (11) around the hinge pivot joint (21) as an axis.

[0054] The angle adjustment unit (20) may have a damper or anti-vibration rubber pad added to prevent the beam angle from being deformed due to external shock or vibration. Additionally, the angle adjustment unit (20) may have a locking device or a tightening screw added so that the beam angle does not change when fixed at a specific angle after adjustment is complete, and the locking device may be an electronic locking device that includes an electronic locking mechanism to remotely fix and release the beam angle.

[0055] In another embodiment, the angle adjustment unit (20) may apply an automatic adjustment function by adding a servo motor or an actuator. The servo motor or actuator is connected to a hinge pivot joint (21) to rotate the body (11) to a desired angle. The control unit analyzes road environment data to calculate the required illumination angle and transmits an appropriate command to the servo motor. When dense fog occurs, the illumination angle of the lane marking LED (13) is lowered to emphasize the road contour while minimizing the fog reflection effect.

[0056] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the support member (30) supports the body (11) on the road and is located on the outer side in the width direction of the road. It is connected to a vertical member that is in contact with the ground vertically on the outer side in the width direction of the road and to a hinge connecting member (22) located on the outer side, and is connected at a right angle to a horizontal member that is horizontal to the ground on the road. In another embodiment, the vertical member and the horizontal member may be connected in a curved manner. The vertical member is fixed to the ground to stably support the support member. The vertical member may be in the form of a circular column as shown in FIG. 5, or may have various shapes such as a square.

[0057] Depending on the road environment and installation conditions, one of the integral, modular, or plate-combined support members may be selectively used.

[0058] The integrated support is formed by vertical and horizontal members being connected integrally in a curved or right-angled manner, and the horizontal member and the hinge connecting member (22) located on the outside are fixed by welding. Since the integrated support is manufactured as a single structure, it has strong rigidity and does not easily deform due to external impacts such as wind, and possesses strong support capacity. The integrated support is suitable for places where strong winds blow or where maintenance of the support is not required.

[0059] The modular support includes a base support fixed to the ground, a lighting unit (10), and an angle adjustment unit (20) fixed at a certain height or higher, a vertical column module designed to allow height adjustment when necessary, an arm connecting the fixing plate and the angle adjustment unit, and a joint bracket.

[0060] Foundation supports can be installed in various forms, such as bolt-fixed, embedded, or movable types, depending on the installation environment. High-strength steel or aluminum alloys are used to enhance durability and prevent corrosion, while waterproofing and dustproofing treatments enable long-term use even in outdoor environments. The anchor bolt-fixed type ensures high stability by being directly fastened to concrete roads, the embedded type provides additional support by being buried in the ground to a certain depth, and the movable type can be moved as needed by utilizing wheels or a foldable structure.

[0061] The vertical column module fixes the lighting unit (10) and the angle adjustment unit (20) at a certain height or higher, allows for height adjustment when necessary, and can be combined with existing street light columns. It provides a basic height and includes a single-type column used in general urban areas and roadsides, as well as an assembly-type telescopic column that can adjust the height by including a sliding structure. The assembly-type telescopic column can be remotely controlled by including a hydraulic or electric height adjustment system. The vertical column module can be mounted integrally with existing street lights, and when installed as a standalone unit, it can be combined with anchor bolts or a movable base.

[0062] The arm serves to connect the fixed plate and the angle adjustment part (20), and the joint bracket is an intermediate medium connecting the arm structure and the angle adjustment part (20).

[0063] The modular support structure is designed with a modular design, allowing for adjustment of height and position as needed. The modular design enables easy disassembly and reassembly, facilitating convenient maintenance. It allows for integrated installation combined with existing streetlights, and the ability to combine identical components for use in various environments enables mass production and reduces installation costs. Suitable for areas with varying road widths and structural constraints, as well as complex environments where pedestrian and vehicular roads coexist, it is ideal for installation in urban areas and general roads.

[0064] A plate-coupled support includes a fixed plate that directly attaches the support to a road structure, an arm and a joint bracket that connect the fixed plate and the angle adjustment part (20), and an impact and vibration damping system.

[0065] The fixing plate is made of stainless steel or high-strength aluminum alloy (AL6061-T6) to prevent corrosion and thermal deformation, and its durability is enhanced through anti-rust treatment using galvanizing or powder coating. Installation methods include a bolt fastening method, which firmly secures the plate to pre-drilled holes in road structures; an adhesive attachment method using high-strength adhesives or chemical anchors; and a magnetic attachment method designed to allow for easy attachment and detachment using strong magnets when mounted on steel structures such as bridge railings.

[0066] The arm serves to connect the fixed plate and the angle adjustment part (20), and the joint bracket is an intermediate medium connecting the arm structure and the angle adjustment part (20).

[0067] The shock and vibration mitigation system can improve durability by mitigating vibrations and shocks occurring in the road environment, and can incorporate shock-absorbing rubber pads in connection parts such as arms or joint brackets or apply additional dampers so that LED lights are not damaged in the event of a vehicle collision.

[0068] The plate-integrated support structure attaches to existing road structures, such as median strips and tunnel walls, without occupying additional space. It can be installed close to the road surface, allowing the LED illumination device to target the lanes directly above; furthermore, it can be installed in conjunction with existing road facilities without the need for separate pillars. It is ideal for installation in environments where integration with road structures is required, such as median strips, road surfaces, tunnel interiors, and bridge sections. Explanation of the symbols

[0070] 10 : Lighting section 11 : Body 12 : Camera 13: LED for lane marking 14 : LED for streetlights 20 : Angle adjustment part 21: Hinge pivot joint 22 : Hinge connecting member (outer) 23 : Hinge connecting member (inner) 30 : Support

Claims

Claim 1 An LED illumination device for enhancing the visibility of road lanes comprises: a lighting unit; a support body positioned on the outer side in the width direction of the road and supporting the lighting unit on the road; and an angle adjustment unit that connects the lighting unit and the support body by a hinge connection and adjusts the illumination angle; wherein the lighting unit comprises: an elliptical body; a camera connected to the upper part of the body to detect the visibility of the road lane and acquire an image; a plurality of lane marking LEDs arranged in a single row in the center of the front part of the body to provide green light that clearly indicates the road lane during adverse weather conditions; a plurality of street light LEDs arranged in two rows on the front part of the body with the lane marking LEDs in the center to provide white light on the road; and a control unit disposed inside the body to evaluate the visibility of the road by analyzing data collected from the camera through an artificial intelligence algorithm, and to control the function of the street light LEDs to switch to lane marking LEDs when the visibility drops below a certain standard. A road lane visibility enhancement LED illumination device comprising a power supply unit disposed inside the body and connected to the camera, the lane indicator LED, the street light LED, and the control unit to supply power, wherein the control unit performs supervised learning and reinforcement learning in parallel and includes an artificial intelligence learning model that learns the correlation between lane contrast and road visibility in various road environments based on actual driving data of an autonomous vehicle. Claim 2 In claim 1, the LED for streetlights and the LED for lane marking are arranged within a common optical lens assembly and configured to selectively switch between streetlight functions and lane marking functions according to the control of the control unit, thereby enabling efficient change of lighting functions according to the road environment, an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility. Claim 3 In claim 1, the support member can be installed by selecting one of an integrated type, a modular type, and a plate-coupled type support member depending on the road environment and installation conditions, the modular type support member has a height-adjustable telescopic structure, and the plate-coupled type support member includes a fixing plate that can be directly attached to an existing road structure, thereby providing an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that can flexibly respond to various road environments. Claim 4 In claim 1, the angle adjustment unit comprises an inner hinge coupling member fixed to the rear portion of the body, an outer hinge coupling member fixed to the lower portion of the support, and a hinge pivot joint connecting the inner and outer hinge coupling members by a hinge connection, and an LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility that can automatically adjust the illumination angle according to the command of the control unit by connecting a servo motor or an actuator to the hinge pivot joint. Claim 5 The LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility according to claim 1, wherein the angle adjustment unit includes a damper or anti-vibration rubber pad to prevent the illumination angle from being deformed due to external shock or vibration, and the stiffness of the damper or anti-vibration rubber pad can be adjusted according to the road environment to respond to various vibration conditions. Claim 6 In claim 1, the angle adjustment unit further includes a locking device or a tightening screw so that the beam angle does not change and is fixed at a specific angle after adjustment is completed, and the locking device includes an electronic locking mechanism to remotely fix and release the beam angle, an LED beam device for enhancing road lane visibility. Claim 7 In claim 1, the control unit can exchange data with adjacent LED illumination devices using a communication module, and the LED illumination device for enhancing road lane visibility optimizes the visibility of the entire road by utilizing the received data for learning and analysis.

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