Asymmetrical Vehicle Headlight Control for Blindness Avoidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle headlight systems face challenges in providing adequate illumination without blinding other road users, particularly in high traffic densities, as high beam functions often dazzle oncoming vehicles while low beam functions offer insufficient illumination.

Innovation Solution

A method and headlight arrangement that dynamically adjust light distribution by generating asymmetrical light distributions, with a 'masked permanent high beam' that reduces light intensity in the direction of detected road users to avoid dazzling, while maintaining optimal illumination of the surroundings, using a combination of partial light distributions from two spaced headlights.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If high beam function is used to provide comprehensive illumination, then illumination intensity is improved, but other road users are blinded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination intensityVSAvoidblinding effect on road users
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating different light distribution characteristics in different spatial regions. The headlight system generates a light distribution where the intensity and range are locally adapted: in regions without road users, high beam intensity provides comprehensive illumination, while in regions with detected road users, the light distribution is locally modified to reduce intensity and avoid blinding, thus resolving the contradiction between illumination intensity and harmful blinding effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the light distribution continuously adaptable based on detected road user positions. The system dynamically adjusts the light distribution parameters (intensity, range, direction) in real-time as road users are detected and tracked, transitioning between high beam and low beam characteristics depending on the spatial configuration of road users, thereby maintaining high illumination where safe while preventing blinding where road users are present

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If low beam function is used to avoid blinding road users, then harmful factors are reduced, but illumination intensity becomes insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveblinding effect on road usersVSAvoidillumination intensity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the headlight output into multiple independently controllable light distribution regions or segments. Each segment can be individually adjusted in intensity and range based on the presence and position of road users, allowing the system to maintain low beam characteristics in directions with road users while simultaneously providing high beam illumination in other directions, thus overcoming the limitation of conventional low beam insufficient illumination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional headlight systems are used, then device complexity is low, but adaptability to different traffic conditions is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to traffic conditionsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by designing a headlight system that can perform multiple functions through a single integrated apparatus. The same headlight unit can generate high beam, low beam, and intermediate light distributions by dynamically adjusting parameters based on detected road user positions and traffic conditions, eliminating the need for separate physical high beam and low beam systems while achieving full adaptability to different traffic scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables effective illumination of the surroundings without blinding oncoming road users, by adjusting light ranges based on detected road users, ensuring safer driving conditions in high traffic environments.

Implementation Method 1

The headlights of a vehicle have the task of illuminating the surroundings in the direction of travel of the vehicle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

each of which emits a light beam to produce an overall light distribution

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP2501585B1Method of control of a vehicle headlamp and headlamp arrangement
Publication Date: 2019.05.22 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP2501585B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2501585B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2501585B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for controlling a headlight arrangement for a vehicle (10), said headlight arrangement comprising two headlights (1, 2) which are at a distance from each other, in which traffic participants (11, 12) are detected in front of the vehicle (10) in the direction of travel and a first overall light distribution (39) can be produced in which the light width is greater on a first side of a center axis (36) than on the other, second side of said center axis (36). A second overall light distribution (40) can be produced, in which the overall light distribution (40) can be regulated in such a manner that it has a light width in the direction of at least one detected traffic participant (12), which is smaller than the distance to the detected traffic participant (12), and a light width in another direction, which is greater than the distance to the detected traffic participant (12). The method according to the invention is characterized in that, when switching from the first overall light distribution (39) to the second overall light distribution (40), the light width of at least one headlight (2) is first reduced on the first side of the center axis (36) at least to the extent that it is smaller than the distance to the detected traffic participant (11, 12), and then the second overall light distribution (40) is produced.