Adaptable Vehicle Light Fixture with Dynamic Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicular LED lighting systems lack adaptability to static and dynamic attributes of vehicles, limiting their ability to reconfigure lighting based on changing conditions, such as position, speed, and direction, which can lead to suboptimal lighting performance.
Innovation Solution
A vehicular lighting system comprising multiple LED arrays with adjustable optics and drive circuitry that responds to sensors like GPS, MEMS gyroscope, and accelerometers to dynamically control light distribution, allowing for manual or automated adjustment of beam patterns and intensity based on vehicle attributes, and enabling wireless configuration and networked operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed beam pattern LED lighting systems are used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to vehicle attributes and lighting performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic beam patterns that automatically adjust based on real-time vehicle attributes such as position, speed, and direction. Sensors continuously monitor these attributes and the control system dynamically modifies the LED array illumination patterns, transforming a static lighting system into an adaptive one that responds to changing vehicle conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where sensors detect vehicle attributes and operational conditions, the controller processes this information, and the lighting output is adjusted accordingly. This closed-loop control enables the lighting system to adapt to vehicle attributes by continuously monitoring and responding to changes in position, speed, and direction
2Ease of operation
If manually adjustable beam patterns are provided, then user control is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex manual adjustment requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring vehicle attributes through integrated sensors and autonomously modifying beam patterns without requiring manual user intervention. The system serves itself by detecting changes in vehicle position, speed, and direction and independently optimizing lighting output for current operating conditions
3Reliability
If adaptability to dynamic characteristics is implemented, then lighting performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into modular functional components: sensor modules for detecting vehicle attributes, control modules for processing sensor data, and LED array modules for light output. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while contributing to the overall adaptive lighting performance, making the complex system more manageable and reliable
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 system provides adaptive and efficient lighting that optimizes beam patterns and intensity in response to vehicle dynamics, enhancing visibility and reducing glare, while allowing user-configurable settings and networked control for coordinated lighting across multiple vehicles.
Implementation Method 1
Light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been utilized since about the 1960s
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for an adaptable vehicle light fixture is provided to activate directional illumination aspects of the light fixture based upon sensed characteristics of the vehicle. The vehicle may automatically sense its position, speed, acceleration, heading and angular velocity and may command the light fixture to emit symmetric and/or asymmetric beam patterns based upon the sensed vehicle characteristics. Directional light incident upon the light fixture may also be detected to allow intensity control thereby reducing glare to oncoming traffic. A vehicle light fixture may be pre-configured with lenses and wirelessly programmed for manual and/or automatic operation that is responsive to the pre-configuration. A plurality of vehicles with light fixtures mounted thereon comprise a network of light fixtures that are manually or adaptively controlled as a group.