Adaptive LED Headlamp Optics for Oncoming Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlamps struggle to adaptively dim or turn off portions to reduce glare perceived by other vehicles or pedestrians, lacking effective glare reduction mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle adaptable-driving-beam headlamp with a controller that dynamically dims or turns off LEDs based on camera images, using a lens assembly with discrete sub-lenses to shape light and project it through an outer lens, maintaining a focused beam pattern while reducing glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed beam pattern is used, then the headlamp structure is simple, but the adaptability to different driving conditions is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by implementing movable reflectors that can change position between a first position (for long-range lighting) and a second position (for short-range lighting). This dynamic adjustment allows the headlamp to adapt to different driving conditions without requiring multiple separate headlamp units, thus improving versatility while controlling structural complexity through a unified movable mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the beam pattern into different zones (long-range and short-range lighting areas) that can be selectively activated by moving the reflectors. This segmentation allows independent control of different lighting functions within a single headlamp structure, enabling adaptability to various driving scenarios without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple headlamps with different beam patterns are used, then adaptability to different driving conditions is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing a single headlamp unit that can perform multiple lighting functions (long-range and short-range lighting) through movable reflectors. This universal design eliminates the need for multiple separate headlamp units, achieving beam pattern adaptability while reducing device complexity and cost compared to using multiple fixed beam pattern headlamps.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable reflector mechanism enables a single headlamp unit to dynamically switch between different beam patterns, replacing the need for multiple static headlamp units. This dynamic transformation allows one unit to fulfill the roles of multiple units, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If the main beam is always on for long-range visibility, then detection precision is improved, but harmful factors to oncoming traffic increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic adjustment of movable reflectors to switch between long-range and short-range lighting modes based on driving conditions. When oncoming traffic is detected, the system can move reflectors to create short-range lighting patterns that maintain sufficient road detection capability while eliminating harmful glare to oncoming traffic, thus balancing detection precision with reduced harmful effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by directing light selectively to different areas (long-range or short-range lighting areas) depending on conditions. This localized lighting approach ensures that detection precision is maintained in the required direction while minimizing harmful glare in directions where oncoming traffic may be present, achieving context-appropriate illumination.
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
Effectively reduces glare by adaptively dimming or turning off LED segments in real-time, ensuring minimal discomfort to occupants of other vehicles and pedestrians.
Implementation Method 1
a movable reflector to redirect light from the light source to create different beam patterns, such as a long-range lighting area or a short-range lighting area
Data Source
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AI summary
An adaptable-driving -beam headlamp for a vehicle includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) mounted on one or more printed circuit boards. An inner lens assembly has a plurality of discrete sub-lenses. Each discrete sub-lens of the inner lens assembly is aligned with a respective one of the plurality of LEDs for shaping emitted light. An outer lens is adapted to receive light from the inner lens assembly and project the light from the vehicle. A camera system for imaging a forward view from the vehicle. A controller is adapted for determining a target location based images received from the camera system such that dimming of one or more LEDs via the controller reduces glare from the vehicle adaptable-driving-beam headlamp as perceived at the target location.