Collaborative Vehicle Headlights for Off-Axis Road Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlight systems fail to effectively illuminate the entire roadway and off-road areas of uncertainty, particularly for autonomous and semi-autonomous vehicles, leading to potential hazards and navigation challenges.
Innovation Solution
Collaborative headlight directing among multiple vehicles, facilitated by advanced communication technologies and vehicle management systems, allows vehicles to adjust their headlights in a coordinated manner to enhance illumination and improve collision avoidance and navigation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If headlight beams are directed straight ahead to maximize forward illumination, then visibility for the driver is improved, but glare to other road users increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic headlight beam direction control where the headlight beams are actively adjusted based on real-time detection of other road users. The beam direction changes dynamically rather than being fixed, allowing the system to maximize forward illumination while preventing glare by redirecting beams away from detected road users. This is achieved through continuous monitoring and adjustment of the illuminating device orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where detectors continuously monitor the presence and position of other road users, and this information is fed back to the controller which adjusts the headlight beam direction accordingly. The feedback loop enables the system to adapt beam direction in real-time, balancing forward visibility needs with glare prevention by responding to the actual road environment.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If headlight beams are directed at an angle to avoid glare, then glare to other road users is reduced, but forward illumination coverage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts beam direction based on the position of other road users. When no road users are detected, beams are directed straight ahead for maximum illumination. When road users are detected, the beam direction is dynamically angled away from them to reduce glare while maintaining optimal forward coverage. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by adapting to real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different beam directions to different spatial zones. The illuminating device creates zones of illumination where the beam angle is locally optimized based on the presence of road users in specific areas. This allows the system to maintain high forward illumination in areas without road users while reducing glare in areas where road users are present, effectively managing illumination quality locally rather than uniformly.
3Device complexity
If fixed beam direction is used to simplify control, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different road situations decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight system performs self-adjustment based on environmental feedback from detectors. The controller automatically modifies beam direction without requiring manual intervention or complex external control systems. This self-service capability allows the system to adapt to different road situations autonomously, maintaining high adaptability while keeping the control architecture relatively simple through automated decision-making algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a multi-functional control system that handles multiple functions: forward illumination, glare prevention, road user detection, and dynamic beam adjustment. This universal controller manages all these functions through a integrated system, reducing the need for separate specialized control mechanisms and achieving adaptability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A
AI summary
Various embodiments include methods and vehicles, such as an autonomous vehicle, a semi-autonomous vehicle, etc., for collaboratively directing one or more headlights by two or more vehicles. Various aspects may include receiving, by a first vehicle processor, a first vehicle collaborative lighting message from a second vehicle, in which the first vehicle collaborative lighting message requests that the first vehicle direct one or more headlights of the first vehicle to illuminate a target area of uncertainty that is disposed, relative to the first vehicle, in a direction other than a direction of travel of the first vehicle. The first vehicle processor may direct one or more the headlights of the first vehicle to illuminate the target area in accordance with the first vehicle collaborative lighting message.