Adaptive Driving Beam Control for Vehicle Lamp Fitting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicular lamps are limited in the types of light distribution patterns they can produce and suffer from inaccuracies in light irradiation, particularly when adapting to conditions in front of the vehicle.

Innovation Solution

A vehicular lamp system that includes a light source unit with an optical deflection device and an imager, which captures images of the area in front of the vehicle to adjust the illuminance of individual regions, using a control device to set optimal illuminance values based on detected luminance, allowing for increased pattern variety and improved irradiation accuracy through adaptive driving beam control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional vehicular lamps are used, then the structure is simple, but the types of producible light distribution patterns are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetypes of producible light distribution patternsVSAvoidstructure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the light distribution control into multiple independently controllable light sources (LED array or laser diodes) arranged in specific patterns. Each light source can be individually controlled to create different light distribution patterns, enabling versatility while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure through modular segmentation of the lighting system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If conventional ADB control is used, then the control system is simple, but the light irradiation accuracy is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight irradiation accuracyVSAvoidcontrol system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality control by independently adjusting the illuminance of each individual light source or small group of light sources based on the detected luminance conditions of corresponding regions in front of the vehicle. This allows precise local irradiation adjustment to match specific road conditions, obstacles, or traffic situations, significantly improving light irradiation accuracy through region-specific optimization rather than uniform control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system employs feedback control by using an imager to detect the luminance distribution in front of the vehicle and using this information to adjust the illuminance of individual light sources. The control device continuously monitors the external environment and dynamically adjusts the lighting output to maintain optimal illumination levels, improving irradiation accuracy through closed-loop feedback control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If uniform illuminance control is used, then the control is simple, but the adaptability to different luminance conditions is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to luminance conditionsVSAvoidcontrol
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by dividing the illumination control into multiple independent zones corresponding to different regions in front of the vehicle. Each zone's illuminance is independently adjusted based on the detected luminance conditions of that specific region, allowing the system to adapt to varying lighting conditions (such as oncoming vehicles, pedestrians, road signs) in different areas simultaneously, greatly enhancing adaptability to complex luminance environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic control by continuously adjusting the illuminance of individual light sources based on real-time detection of luminance conditions. The control device dynamically modifies the lighting output in response to changing environmental conditions, enabling the system to adapt to moving objects, changing road conditions, and varying traffic situations, providing high adaptability through dynamic rather than static control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 enhances the variety of producible light distribution patterns and improves light irradiation accuracy, enhancing driver visibility and safety by dynamically adjusting light output based on the conditions in front of the vehicle.

Implementation Method 1

an optical deflection device configured to reflect light from the light source

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3647115B1Vehicle lamp fitting system, and vehicle lamp fitting control method
Publication Date: 2023.03.22 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP3647115B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3647115B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3647115B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle lamp fitting system (1) is provided with: an image capturing unit (12); a brightness analyzing unit (14) which detects the brightnesses of each of a plurality of individual zones arranged in front of a vehicle, on the basis of information obtained from the image capturing unit (12); an illumination intensity setting unit (42) which defines an illumination intensity value of light illuminating each individual zone, on the basis of a detection result from the brightness analyzing unit (14); a light source unit (10) capable of independently adjusting the illumination intensity of light illuminating each of the plurality of individual zones; and a light source control unit (20) which controls the light source unit (10) on the basis of the illumination intensity values defined by the illumination intensity setting unit (42). The illumination intensity setting unit (42) defines the illumination intensity values using different functions for individual zones contained in a prescribed first illumination intensity range and individual zones contained in a prescribed second illumination intensity range.