Adaptive Lighting System for Motorcycle Lean Angle Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, especially motorcycles, face challenges in maintaining optimal headlight and sensor orientation during leans, leading to reduced visibility and efficiency due to sub-optimum positioning, which affects the driver's awareness of the surroundings and the environment.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive lighting system that utilizes a lean angle sensor to control primary and secondary light elements, adjusting their illumination based on the vehicle's angle to ensure better visibility for the driver and oncoming traffic, while efficiently managing electrical resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If headlights are mounted to the vehicle frame, then the lighting system moves with the vehicle during leans, but the direction of the lights becomes oriented in a sub-optimum position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the lighting system adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The headlight assembly includes multiple light sources (primary low beam, primary high beam, and adaptive elements) that can be independently controlled and repositioned to compensate for vehicle lean angles, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to changing vehicle orientations during operation
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent light sources including primary low beam elements, primary high beam elements, and multiple adaptive elements. Each segment can be individually controlled and positioned to illuminate different areas, allowing the system to maintain optimal illumination patterns even when the vehicle is leaning
2Illumination intensity
If multiple light sources are used to maintain visibility during leans, then visibility is improved, but electrical current consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively activating specific light sources based on the vehicle's operational state. The controller activates only the necessary light elements (primary or adaptive) depending on the lean angle and driving conditions, ensuring that illumination is provided precisely where needed without wasting electrical energy on unnecessary light sources
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters by adjusting which light sources are active based on lean angle thresholds. The controller monitors vehicle orientation and switches between different lighting configurations (primary low beam, primary high beam, adaptive elements) to optimize the balance between visibility and electrical current consumption
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 visibility by dynamically adjusting light patterns to compensate for vehicle leans, improving safety and reducing electrical consumption by optimizing light distribution and usage.
Implementation Method 1
a lean angle sensor generating a lean angle signal
Implementation Method 2
a primary low beam element, a primary high beam element, a plurality of adaptive elements
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system for a vehicle at least one primary low beam element at least a first adaptive element, a second adaptive element and a third adaptive element and a lean angle sensor generating a lean angle signal. A controller controls the plurality of adaptive elements so that the first element, the second element and third element are extinguished at less than a first lean angle, between the first and a second lean angle greater than the first lean angle illuminating the first adaptive element, between the second and a third lean angle greater than the second lean angle illuminating the first and second adaptive elements, between the third lean angle and a fourth lean angle greater than the third lean angle illuminating the second adaptive element and the third adaptive element and extinguishing the first adaptive element in response to the lean angle signal.