Adaptive Vehicle Lighting Control for Trunk Lid Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing vehicle lighting systems, such as those disclosed in Patent Literature 1, do not adjust the control of turn lights when the trunk lid is opened, making the turn lights on the trunk-lid side invisible from behind the vehicle, resulting in a perceived shorter lighting time and discomfort for outside observers.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle lighting system with a first lighting body on the vehicle body and a second lighting body on the opening-closing body, controlled by a lighting controller that switches between a first mode where the second lighting body is turned on first and then the first lighting body, and a second mode where the first lighting body is kept on longer when the trunk lid is opened, ensuring continuous and visible lighting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the turn lights are controlled to sequentially turn on multiple light sources continuously, then the lighting sequence is smooth and visually appealing, but when the trunk lid is opened the turn lights on the trunk-lid side become invisible from behind the vehicle, making the lighting time appear shorter and causing discomfort to outside observers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility of turn lightsVSAvoidperceived lighting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the lighting control adaptive to the trunk lid state. The lighting controller dynamically switches between first lighting control (when trunk lid is closed) and second lighting control (when trunk lid is opened), adjusting the lighting behavior based on real-time conditions to maintain visibility and perceived lighting duration

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the lighting parameters based on trunk lid state. When the trunk lid is opened, the system extends the lighting time of the first lighting body and adjusts the lighting sequence, transforming the lighting parameters from fixed to variable to compensate for the invisibility of the second lighting body

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If the trunk lid is opened, then access to the trunk is enabled, but the turn lights on the trunk-lid side become invisible from behind the vehicle, causing discomfort to outside persons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrunk accessVSAvoidvisibility of turn lights

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting controller detects the trunk lid opening state and adjusts the lighting control in advance or concurrently, ensuring that the lighting pattern compensates for the reduced visibility before or during the opening process, thereby maintaining signal visibility throughout the operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS10857934B2Vehicle lighting system

Publication Date: 2020.12.08 HONDA MOTOR CO LTD

AI summary

First lighting bodies are provided to the outer surface of a vehicle body, and second lighting bodies are provided to the outer surface of a trunk lid, which can open/close a trunk. While the trunk lid is closed, a first mode is executed in which the second lighting bodies are lit and the lighting is maintained, and then the first lighting bodies are lit and the lighting is maintained for a prescribed period. When the trunk lid is open, a second mode is executed in which at least the former among the first lighting bodies and the second lighting bodies is lit and the lighting time thereof is set longer than the lighting time of the first lighting bodies in the first mode.