Vehicle Cornering Light Dynamic Cone Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current cornering light systems for vehicles often blind road users due to fixed light cones that do not adjust according to varying environmental conditions, such as road gradients, which can impair a driver's view and increase safety risks.

Innovation Solution

A method to control the lighting characteristics of cornering lights based on environmental parameters like road inclines and widths, using a controller to adjust the light cone's angle and intensity to prevent blinding and optimize side area illumination, incorporating sensors and digital map data for precise adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a fixed light cone is used for cornering light illumination, then the cornering light can provide consistent illumination coverage, but it may blind road users in certain environmental conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecornering light illumination coverageVSAvoidblinding effect on road users
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the light cone adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the light cone parameters (angle, intensity, direction) based on detected environmental conditions such as road gradient, curvature, and surrounding objects, resolving the contradiction between providing sufficient illumination and avoiding blinding effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes physical parameters of the light cone (illumination angle, intensity, distribution pattern) based on environmental parameters detected by sensors. This allows the system to adapt illumination characteristics to specific conditions, maintaining adequate visibility while preventing harmful blinding effects on road users

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the light cone is adjusted to avoid blinding road users, then safety is improved, but the illumination coverage and effectiveness of the cornering light may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad user safetyVSAvoidcornering light coverage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating illumination characteristics for different spatial zones. The control unit adjusts the light cone to provide stronger illumination in areas requiring visibility (e.g., intersection corners, obstacle zones) while reducing or redirecting light in directions where road users may be present, thus maintaining both safety and effectiveness locally

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from sensors detecting environmental conditions (road gradient, curvature, detected objects) to continuously adjust the light cone parameters. This closed-loop control ensures optimal balance between safety and illumination effectiveness by adapting to real-time conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If environmental sensors and control systems are added to adjust the light cone, then the system can adapt to different conditions, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental adaptation capabilityVSAvoidlighting control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing the control unit to perform multiple functions: processing sensor data, determining environmental parameters (road gradient, curvature), controlling light cone adjustment, and coordinating with other vehicle systems. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, managing complexity while maintaining adaptability

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

Data Source

PatentEP2927052B1Method for operating a cornering light of a vehicle and vehicle lighting
Publication Date: 2021.03.03 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2927052B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2927052B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2927052B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for operating a cornering light (109, 603) of a vehicle (101, 701), wherein a lighting characteristic of the cornering light (109, 603) is controlled based on at least one parameter in order to adjust a light cone that can be generated by the cornering light. The invention further relates to vehicle lighting for a vehicle (101, 701) and a computer program.