Directed Light Source Control for Eye Safety and Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Optical scanning devices on motor vehicles face challenges in maintaining eye safety while ensuring adequate range due to vibrations or shocks, which can cause prolonged exposure to laser radiation, necessitating reduced light output and compromising detection range.
Innovation Solution
A method for controlling a directed light source that determines movement and impending changes in the light cone's illumination area, using a Kalman filter to predict potential overexposure and provide a dimming signal to prevent eye injury, allowing for increased transmission power while maintaining eye safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the light output is increased to extend the scanning range, then the detection range is improved, but the risk of eye injury increases due to prolonged exposure from vibrations or shocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the light output dynamically adjustable based on real-time scanning conditions. The control unit continuously monitors the scanning process and adjusts the light source intensity dynamically, switching between high power (for extended range) and reduced power (for safety) modes depending on whether prolonged exposure conditions are detected, thus resolving the contradiction between detection range and eye safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control where the control unit receives information about the scanning process, vibration levels, and potential prolonged exposure conditions, then adjusts the light output accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the system to maintain high detection range while automatically reducing power when safety risks are detected, resolving the contradiction between range and safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the light output is reduced to ensure eye safety, then the risk of eye injury is minimized, but the detection range decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts light output based on actual scanning conditions rather than using a fixed reduced power level. When vibrations or shocks indicate potential prolonged exposure, the power is reduced for safety; otherwise, full power is used to maximize detection range, thus resolving the contradiction between eye safety and detection range
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the power parameter of the light source based on detected conditions. By monitoring vibration levels and scanning trajectory, the system adjusts the power parameter between high and low states, enabling the detection range to be maximized when safe and reduced when necessary to protect against eye injury
3Reliability
If the light source is operated continuously at high power, then the detection capability is maximized, but the accumulated energy may exceed safety thresholds during prolonged exposure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by using pulsed illumination rather than continuous high-power operation. The light source emits pulses at optimized intervals, providing sufficient detection capability during each pulse while allowing energy dissipation between pulses, thus preventing accumulated energy from exceeding safety thresholds while maintaining reliable detection
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous useful action through intelligent power management. Rather than interrupting scanning, the control unit continuously monitors conditions and adjusts power levels in real-time, ensuring detection capability is maintained at maximum safe levels without allowing accumulated energy to exceed thresholds during prolonged exposure scenarios
Data Source
AI summary
A directed light source supplies a light cone which is guided across a predefined area. A method for controlling the light source includes determining a movement of the light source; estimating an impending change in a section of the area illuminated by the light cone as a result of the determined movement; determining that the section will most likely be illuminated by the changed light cone for longer than predefined; and supplying a dimming signal for the light source.