Active Retro-Reflector Vehicle Lamp
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional retro-reflectors in vehicle lights have limited reflection efficiency and a narrow acceptance angle, making them ineffective in enhancing road safety, especially for vehicles in stationary traffic at night, and they occupy valuable space within the lamp housing.
Innovation Solution
An active retro-reflector system that detects external light sources and adjusts its light emission to match the direction and intensity of the incident light, providing a broader beam angle and increased visibility through the use of LEDs, which can also flash to increase attention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional passive retro-reflectors are used in vehicle lights, then the structure is simple and space is occupied, but the reflection efficiency is limited and the acceptance angle is narrow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static passive reflector into a dynamic active system using LEDs that can be controlled to emit light in response to detected external light sources. The system adapts its behavior based on environmental conditions, switching between active emission and passive reflection modes, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and reflection efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the operational parameters of the light reflection system by using controllable LED sources with adjustable intensity and timing. The system varies its light emission parameters based on detection of external light sources, achieving higher effective reflection efficiency while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
2Device complexity
If conventional passive retro-reflectors are used in vehicle lights, then the device complexity is low, but the acceptance angle is narrow and visibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic control of multiple LED elements that can be independently activated based on the direction and intensity of detected external light. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to effectively broaden its acceptance angle and improve visibility without requiring a complex fixed-geometry optical structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The active retro-reflector system performs multiple functions: it detects external light sources, determines their direction, activates appropriate LED elements to reflect light back, and can additionally provide illumination functions. This multi-functionality achieves broad adaptability and wide acceptance angle while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through integrated control.
3Illumination intensity
If active LED retro-reflector system is implemented, then the light reflection brightness and beam angle are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic or intermittent operation of the active LED retro-reflector system rather than continuous operation. The system activates LEDs only when external light sources are detected and only for the duration necessary to reflect light back to the source, thereby achieving high illumination intensity when needed while minimizing overall energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses ambient light from external sources to trigger its operation, making the activation self-determining based on environmental conditions. The retro-reflector only consumes energy when naturally illuminated by external light sources, allowing it to achieve high brightness when active while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption during periods without external illumination.
4Reliability
If active retro-reflector with detection and control systems is used, then the visibility and road safety are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the detection function and the light emission function into a single integrated system. The same optical path and control circuitry serve both to detect external light sources and to control the LED elements that emit reflected light, thereby enhancing road safety through improved visibility while minimizing the increase in device complexity through functional integration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The active retro-reflector system significantly enhances road safety by providing brighter and more extensive light reflection, improving visibility of vehicles in stationary traffic and reducing the blind spots associated with passive systems, while maintaining energy efficiency and compact design.
Implementation Method 1
The receiving means (30) for light directed onto the vehicle lamp (01) from an external light source (100)
Implementation Method 2
receiving means (30) for light directed onto the vehicle lamp (01) from an external light source (100)
Implementation Method 3
at least one light source (02) for fulfilling the active retro-reflector light function
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3
AI summary
A vehicle light (01) with an active retroreflective function is described. The vehicle light (01) comprises at least one light source (20) with at least one light source (02) for fulfilling at least one lighting function, receiving means (30) for light (101) directed onto the vehicle light, and actuating means connected to the receiving means (30) for activating at least one light source (20) provided for fulfilling the active retroreflective function. The actuating means activate the light source(s) (20) provided for fulfilling the active retroreflective function depending on whether the vehicle light (01) is illuminated or not.