Adaptive Exterior Mirror Lighting for Side Area Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting systems, including adaptive front-lighting systems, fail to effectively illuminate areas to the side of the vehicle, limiting safety and comfort, especially during turns and in low visibility conditions.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle exterior rearview system with adaptive lighting modules, including LEDs and optical elements, that provide additional lighting sectors for turn-signal indicators, adaptive cornering lights, and security lights, controlled by a system receiving vehicle and environmental data to dynamically adjust lighting based on conditions, allowing for user customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If headlamps are mounted in fixed positions on the vehicle, then the lighting system structure is simple, but areas to the side of the vehicle cannot be illuminated
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is segmented into multiple independent lighting modules, each capable of illuminating different sectors (front, side, rear). These modules are distributed across different vehicle locations including exterior mirrors, allowing side areas to be illuminated without requiring complex mechanical movement of traditional headlamps
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting modules are designed with multi-functionality, serving as turn-signal indicators, adaptive cornering lights, and security lights simultaneously. This universal design allows a single module to perform multiple lighting functions that would traditionally require separate systems
2Illumination intensity
If additional lighting modules are added to illuminate side areas, then side area visibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple lighting functions (turn-signal indicator, adaptive cornering light, security light) are merged into single integrated lighting modules. Each module contains multiple lighting sectors that can be independently controlled, reducing the total number of separate components needed while achieving comprehensive illumination
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting modules provide targeted illumination only when needed (during turns, in low visibility conditions, or when security lighting is required) rather than continuous full-coverage lighting. This partial action approach reduces the overall lighting system complexity while maintaining adequate illumination when required
3Adaptability or versatility
If lighting modules provide multiple functions (turn-signal, cornering light, security light), then system versatility is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting modules feature dynamic control capabilities where lighting sectors can be independently activated or deactivated based on driving conditions. The control system dynamically adjusts which lighting functions are active (e.g., activating only cornering light during turns, or security light when vehicle is stationary) rather than requiring all functions to operate simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The control system receives feedback from vehicle sensors (steering angle, brake status, ambient light conditions) and automatically adjusts lighting module operation accordingly. This feedback mechanism allows the system to provide versatile lighting functions without requiring complex manual control, as the system autonomously selects appropriate lighting modes based on real-time vehicle state
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
Enhances safety and comfort by providing adaptive and customizable lighting that illuminates areas to the side of the vehicle during turns and in low visibility conditions, improving visibility and communication through dynamic light patterns and messages.
Implementation Method 1
one or more lighting modules disposed in said housing and providing at least one first lighting sector for implementing a turn-signal indicator and at least one second lighting sector for implementing one or more of an adaptive cornering light illuminating a forward sector or an adaptive security light illuminating a downward and rearward sector
Implementation Method 2
A vehicle exterior rearview system with adaptive lighting modules, including LEDs and optical elements
Implementation Method 3
A vehicle exterior rearview system with adaptive lighting modules, including LEDs and optical elements
Data Source
AI summary
An adaptive cornering light system for a motor vehicle includes an exterior mirror head, housing at least one lighting module that having a plurality of LEDs arranged in sectors to provide different lighting functionalities. One LED or light sector is provided for adaptively illuminating a cornering area that extends along the side of the vehicle toward the front of the exterior mirror head. This “cornering LED” is adaptively activated if the speed of the vehicle is below a threshold speed, or in response to additional optional parameters such as steering angle, turn-signal blinker activation, and running lights activation. Another LED or light sector may be used as a security light to illuminate or display a message on the ground in the door area adjacent the side of the vehicle. Interior lights are also disclosed. User input may also control options for illumination.