Adaptive Street Lamp with Segmented Light Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional street and tunnel lighting systems fail to provide glare-free, high-contrast illumination that adapts to changing traffic situations and environmental conditions, leading to inefficiencies and increased accident risks due to inadequate recognition of vehicles and obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A variable street lighting system that automatically adjusts light intensity distribution and main emission direction based on traffic density, vehicle speed, time of day, and vehicle typology, switching between co-beam and counter-beam principles, and incorporating a modular structure for flexible configuration, to achieve optimal glare-free and high-contrast illumination without excessive energy expenditure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high luminance levels and high luminous fluxes are used to achieve good visibility, then visibility of obstacles is improved, but glare is caused for persons looking into the radiation area
Solution Approach 1:
The street lighting system is divided into multiple independently controllable light modules, each with its own main radiation direction. This segmentation allows different zones to be illuminated with appropriate intensity - high intensity where visibility is needed, and reduced intensity where glare would occur, resolving the contradiction between visibility and glare prevention
Solution Approach 2:
Different light modules are directed at different locations with different luminance levels according to local requirements. The control unit adjusts each module's output based on local conditions such as traffic density, vehicle presence, and environmental factors, providing high luminance where needed for obstacle detection while maintaining lower luminance in areas where glare would affect drivers or pedestrians
2Area of stationary object
If conventional street lights are mounted at great height to illuminate road surface brightly, then illumination coverage is improved, but installation complexity and maintenance difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single high-mounted light source, the system uses multiple lower-mounted light modules that collectively cover the required area. Each module operates independently and can be positioned at accessible heights, achieving the same illumination coverage without the complexity and maintenance issues of high mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from vertical illumination (single high-mounted source shining downward) to a more distributed spatial arrangement where multiple sources at lower heights provide illumination from different angles and positions, achieving coverage through spatial distribution rather than vertical elevation
3Illumination intensity
If constant high illumination is provided to illuminate tunnel surfaces, then surface visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases and uniform illumination of moving vehicles is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts the intensity and activation of light modules based on real-time traffic conditions, vehicle detection, and environmental factors. When vehicles are present, the system activates modules that illuminate vehicle surfaces while reducing overall energy consumption compared to constant high illumination, maintaining visibility while adapting to changing conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit automatically monitors traffic density, vehicle positions, and environmental conditions to self-regulate the illumination levels of different modules, optimizing energy usage based on actual needs without requiring manual intervention or constant high power consumption
4Area of stationary object
If flat road surface irradiation is used to provide uniform illumination, then coverage area is improved, but shadowing by vehicles increases and flicker occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is segmented into multiple directional beams from different light modules positioned at various locations. This creates overlapping illumination zones that fill in shadows cast by vehicles, maintaining uniform coverage area while eliminating the wide shadow spaces produced by single flat irradiation sources
Solution Approach 2:
Light modules are positioned asymmetrically with different main radiation directions tailored to specific locations and traffic patterns. This asymmetric arrangement optimizes illumination angles to minimize shadowing by vehicles while maintaining comprehensive coverage, and the independent control of each module allows precise adjustment to eliminate flicker effects
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 provides adaptive and efficient illumination that enhances driver visibility and safety by dynamically adjusting light distribution and color temperature, reducing glare and flicker, and optimizing energy use across varying traffic conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the lighting means emit light in specific radiation directions to illuminate the roadway and tunnel surfaces
Implementation Method 2
associated optics for irradiating a limited radiation space in one main radiation direction
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3(a)~3(b)
Figure 4(a)~4(c)
AI summary
The present invention relates to a street light, in particular a tunnel light, with several light modules (2), each comprising at least one light source (3) and an associated optic (4) for illuminating a limited radiation space (5) in a main radiation direction (6), wherein different light modules (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) have differently oriented main radiation directions and the radiation spaces (5a, 5b, 5c, 5d) irradiated by the light modules (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d) sum up to form a total radiation space with a specific overall luminous intensity distribution, wherein the street light can be operated in different operating modes in which different overall luminous intensity distributions with different overall main radiation directions are generated.According to the invention, an automatic switch (12) is provided for switching between the different operating modes and setting different overall main radiation directions depending on at least one parameter from the parameter group comprising traffic density, driving speeds, vehicle distances, time of day, calendar time and vehicle typology.