Adaptive Vehicle Lamp Shadow Control for Glare Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lamp systems with intelligent front-lighting systems (IFS) fail to adapt lighting based on road environment and driver preferences, leading to glare and malfunctions due to inappropriate activation or deactivation of high and low-beam modes.

Innovation Solution

A system that controls the width of a shadow area and beam pattern based on internal factors (driver tendencies) and external factors (road conditions) using a sensing module and processor to optimize lighting for each driver and situation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the IFS function is activated based on fixed speed thresholds, then the high-beam control is simplified, but the lighting becomes inappropriate for actual road conditions causing glare or insufficient illumination

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIFS activation simplicityVSAvoidlighting adaptability to road environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adjustment of shadow area width based on real-time detection of road conditions, weather, and traffic conditions. The control processor continuously modifies the shadow area parameters rather than using fixed thresholds, allowing the lighting system to adapt dynamically to changing environmental conditions while maintaining smooth transitions between different lighting states

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms by detecting actual road conditions, weather conditions, and traffic conditions through sensors, then using this information to adjust the shadow area width and beam pattern accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures the lighting adapts to real-world conditions rather than relying on predetermined speed-based activation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the shadow area width is fixed, then the control system is simpler, but it cannot prevent glare to other vehicles or provide adequate lighting in curved road conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshadow area control complexityVSAvoidglare prevention effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different shadow area widths to different regions of the headlight beam pattern, particularly adjusting the left and right shadow areas independently based on road curvature detection. This allows localized optimization of lighting in specific directions while maintaining appropriate illumination in other areas, improving glare prevention without uniformly increasing system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shadow area width is dynamically adjusted based on detected road conditions, weather, and traffic. The control processor continuously modifies the shadow area parameters in response to changing environmental conditions, enabling the system to maintain reliable glare prevention adaptively rather than relying on fixed geometric constraints

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of time

If the IFS function automatically activates without driver awareness, then activation timing is improved, but driver acceptance and recognition of the function decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactivation response timeVSAvoiddriver recognition and acceptance
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary learning of driver preferences and behavior patterns during normal operation, storing this information for later use in IFS activation decisions. This preliminary action allows the system to anticipate driver intent and activate the IFS function at appropriate moments that align with driver expectations, reducing the perceived loss of time while maintaining driver acceptance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4635798A1Lamp control system, lamp control method, and vehicle
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HYUNDAI MOBIS CO LTD
  • EP4635798A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4635798A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4635798A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system for controlling a lamp, a method therefor, and a vehicle therefor are provided. The system includes: a pair of lamps to irradiate beams forward based on respective beam patterns thereof; a sensing module to sense an object in front of a subject vehicle in motion; and a processor to receive information on the sensed object, and control the beam pattern of at least one of the pair of lamps such that a shadow area is formed in an area including the object based on the input object information. The shadow area includes a main shadow area corresponding to a width of the object, and a shadow margin area having a predetermined width from each of both sides of the main shadow area. The processor controls the width of the shadow margin area based on at least one of internal factors, external factors, or any combination thereof.