Automotive Lighting System Dynamic Mask for Retroreflective Glare
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Solution Overview
Problem
Retroreflective traffic signs can cause self-glaring issues, especially when vehicles use high beams, leading to discomfort in certain situations, and existing solutions do not effectively address this problem across varying positions and angles of the signs.
Innovation Solution
An automotive lighting system that dynamically manages light patterns using sensors to adjust luminous intensity and mask positioning based on real-time distance and speed data, activating different modes to mitigate self-glaring by optimizing light projection in response to the position and angle of retroreflective objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If high beam light pattern is used to improve illumination range and visibility, then the reach distance and lighting coverage are improved, but self-glare is caused by retroreflection from traffic signs which deteriorates visual comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light pattern dynamically adjustable based on real-time detection of retroreflective objects. The system transitions from a static high beam pattern to a dynamic pattern that adapts its intensity distribution according to the detected object's position, angle, and distance, thereby eliminating self-glare while maintaining illumination effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selectively modifying specific regions of the light pattern rather than uniformly reducing intensity. The mask pattern is generated to locally adjust luminous intensity in the direction of the retroreflective object while preserving full intensity in other directions, thus maintaining overall illumination range while eliminating self-glare in the specific problematic direction.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed mask pattern is used to block retroreflection, then self-glare is reduced, but the solution is ineffective when retroreflective object position or angle changes
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time sensing of the retroreflective object's position and angle to dynamically recalculate and update the mask pattern. This ensures the light pattern continuously adapts to maintain effectiveness regardless of changes in the object's position or orientation, solving the limitation of fixed mask patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by using sensors to detect the retroreflective object's characteristics and position, then using this information to adjust the light pattern via the mask. This closed-loop control ensures the system responds to changes in object position and angle, maintaining self-glare reduction effectiveness under varying conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If complex real-time calculation of corrected light pattern is performed to optimize mask positioning, then adaptability to varying object positions is improved, but calculation time increases which may affect response speed
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing mask patterns for various object positions and angles. When a retroreflective object is detected, the system quickly retrieves and applies the pre-computed mask pattern corresponding to the detected position, avoiding the need for complex real-time calculations while maintaining high positioning accuracy and adaptability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If luminous intensity is reduced to eliminate self-glare, then visual comfort is improved, but illumination effectiveness and reach distance are deteriorated
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by selectively reducing luminous intensity only in the specific direction where retroreflection occurs, while maintaining full intensity in all other directions. This localized intensity adjustment eliminates self-glare in the problematic direction without compromising overall illumination effectiveness and reach distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the luminous intensity distribution based on the detected retroreflective object's position and angle. The mask pattern is generated to apply intensity reduction only where necessary, allowing the system to maintain high illumination effectiveness in most directions while locally reducing intensity to eliminate self-glare.
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
Effectively reduces self-glaring by adjusting light patterns and intensities in real-time, improving visual comfort regardless of the retroreflective object's position and angle, using a combination of distance, speed, and image sensors to ensure optimal luminance levels.
Implementation Method 1
Traffic signs usually comprise a retroreflective material or structure, which is intended to provide the traffic sign with the ability to be seen in low visibility conditions, taking advantage of the light projected by the vehicles' headlamps.
Implementation Method 2
projecting a light pattern along a projection path in a vehicle direction
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is related to a method for managing a light pattern and an automotive lighting device (10). The method comprises the steps of projecting an original light pattern, providing a reach distance between a retroreflective object (4, 5) and the automotive lighting device, estimating a reach time before the automotive lighting device reaches the retroreflective object (4, 5) and using the reach time to decide whether to activate a light pattern management functionality. If the light pattern management functionality is activated, using an image provided by an image sensor (1) in real time to decide the location of a mask. If the light pattern management functionality is activated, calculating an optimum light pattern for the mask and modifying the original light pattern including the mask with the optimum light pattern.