Adaptive Road Lighting Device for Traffic-Dependent Beam Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional road lighting systems often compromise on visibility during peak hours and energy efficiency during non-peak hours, leading to potential safety risks and increased energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

A lighting device with a control module that adjusts light beam direction based on traffic flow and time, directing light beams along the traffic direction during peak hours for enhanced visibility and opposite the traffic direction during non-peak hours to reduce energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If light beams are directed along the traffic direction during peak hours, then visibility of forward objects is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility of forward objectsVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting device dynamically adjusts the direction of light beams based on real-time traffic flow conditions. During peak hours, beams are directed along traffic flow to maximize visibility; during non-peak hours, beams are redirected opposite to traffic flow to reduce energy consumption while maintaining sufficient illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the directional parameter of light beams according to traffic conditions. By adjusting the orientation angle of light emission based on detected traffic flow parameters, the system optimizes both visibility and energy efficiency for different operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If light beams are directed opposite to the traffic direction during non-peak hours, then energy consumption is reduced, but visibility of forward objects deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidvisibility of forward objects
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

During non-peak hours, the system applies partial illumination by directing beams opposite to traffic flow, which provides sufficient lighting for low-traffic conditions without the full energy expenditure required for peak-hour visibility requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system dynamically switches between two operational modes based on traffic flow detection, adjusting beam direction to match the actual visibility requirements of different traffic conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If lighting level is reduced at midnight to save energy, then energy consumption decreases, but traffic safety risk increases due to driver fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoidtraffic safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates traffic flow detection feedback to determine when to adjust lighting levels. By continuously monitoring traffic conditions, the system ensures that reduced lighting at midnight does not compromise safety when vehicles are present, while still achieving energy savings during truly empty periods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting level is dynamically adjusted based on real-time traffic flow data rather than following a fixed schedule, allowing the system to respond to actual safety needs while optimizing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If lighting is optimized for visibility during peak hours, then traffic safety is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic safetyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes operational parameters (beam direction, intensity) based on traffic flow parameters, optimizing safety during peak hours when traffic is heavy and adjusting to energy-saving modes when traffic is light

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP2839718B1A lighting device, a method of controlling the same, for selectively emitting light along or against traffic direction
Publication Date: 2016.04.27 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV
  • EP2839718B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2839718B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2839718B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention proposes a lighting device (250). The lighting device (250) for road lighting comprises a lighting module and a control module coupled to the lighting module, and configured to control the lighting module to radiate a first light beam (221) towards a first direction to generate a first lighting pattern on the road surface (B), when a first predetermined condition is satisfied, and to control the lighting module to radiate a second light beam (231) towards a second direction to generate a second lighting pattern on the road surface (A), when a second predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein the first direction is oriented to go along the traffic direction and the second direction is oriented to go opposite the traffic direction.