Autonomous Vehicle Headlight Control via Sensor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autonomous vehicles do not require headlights in low light conditions due to onboard sensors, but occupants still need visibility, and external vehicles and pedestrians benefit from headlight illumination, necessitating a control system to manage headlight usage efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A headlight control system that includes autonomous driving sensors, a processor, and communication interfaces to detect nearby objects and vehicles, activating or dimming headlights based on operational mode and environmental conditions, using signals to control headlight activation, deactivation, and dimming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If headlights are kept on in autonomous mode during low light conditions, then visibility for occupants and external entities is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight control system dynamically adjusts headlight operation based on real-time detection of surrounding objects and vehicles. The system transitions between different operational states (on, off, dimmed) depending on whether objects are detected in various zones, making the illumination system adaptive rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The autonomous vehicle uses its own sensor system to detect the need for headlights and automatically controls the headlight operation without external input. The vehicle serves its own visibility needs through integrated sensor-headlight control, eliminating the need for continuous manual monitoring or external control signals.
2Use of energy by moving object
If headlights are turned off in autonomous mode to conserve energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but visibility for occupants and external entities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies different illumination qualities to different spatial zones. When a vehicle is detected in the opposing lane, headlights are activated. When only objects in the same lane are detected, headlights are dimmed. When no objects are detected, headlights are turned off. This localized quality adjustment optimizes energy usage while maintaining visibility where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses partial action (dimming rather than full illumination) when conditions allow, such as when objects are detected in the same lane but not in the opposing lane. This partial illumination maintains sufficient visibility for safety while consuming less energy than full headlight operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a headlight control system is implemented to manage headlight usage, then energy consumption is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight control system leverages the existing autonomous vehicle sensor system and processor for dual purposes: autonomous navigation and headlight control. The same sensors that detect obstacles for autonomous driving also trigger headlight activation, eliminating the need for separate dedicated headlight sensing equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the headlight control function with the autonomous vehicle's existing sensor and processing systems. By combining these functions, the system avoids adding separate dedicated components for headlight control, thereby optimizing energy management while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle system includes an autonomous driving sensor and a processor. The autonomous driving sensor is programmed to output an object detection signal representing an object near a host vehicle. The processor is programmed to output a headlight activation signal to activate vehicle headlights in response to receiving the object detection signal and while the host vehicle is operating in an autonomous mode.