Gaze-Controlled Headlight Direction Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional headlight systems cannot illuminate objects outside the direct driving direction, such as traffic signs or wild animals on the roadside, as they rely solely on steering wheel control, limiting the driver's field of vision in low natural light conditions.
Innovation Solution
A headlight system comprising a headlight module, a driving module, a gaze detecting device, and a control unit that adjusts the illuminating direction of the headlight based on the driver's gaze direction, allowing the driver to command the headlight to illuminate specific areas within a predefined range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the headlight illuminating direction is controlled entirely by the steering wheel, then the headlight can illuminate the area in the direct driving direction, but objects not in the direct driving direction cannot be illuminated and therefore cannot be seen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gaze detecting device as an intermediary between the driver and the headlight control system. This device detects the driver's gaze direction and transmits this information to the control unit, which then adjusts the headlight illuminating direction accordingly. This mediator enables the headlight to respond to the driver's visual attention rather than solely to steering input, thereby illuminating roadside objects that the driver is looking at even when the steering wheel is not turned.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the headlight illuminating direction is adjusted to follow the driver's gaze direction, then the driver's field of vision is enhanced, but the headlight may change direction due to driver distractions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a preliminary action by setting a predefined illuminating range for the headlight and using the gaze detecting device to determine whether the driver's gaze direction falls within this range before adjusting the headlight direction. This preliminary check ensures that the headlight only changes direction when the driver is intentionally looking at a specific area within the valid range, rather than due to random distractions or accidental gaze movements.
3Area of stationary object
If the headlight illuminating range is expanded to cover more areas, then more objects can be illuminated, but the headlight cannot focus on specific areas the driver is interested in
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic headlight illuminating range that can adjust its coverage area based on the driver's gaze direction. The control unit dynamically modifies the illuminating range parameters (such as azimuth and elevation angles) to focus light on the specific area the driver is looking at, rather than maintaining a fixed wide coverage. This dynamic adjustment allows the headlight to concentrate illumination precision on targets of interest while still providing adequate coverage of the surrounding area.
Data Source
AI summary
A headlight system includes a headlight module having at least one headlight device arranged on a vehicle and having a predefined illuminating range; a driving module having at least one driving unit configured to adjust the illuminating direction of the headlight device within the predefined illuminating range; a gaze detecting device detecting a driver's gaze direction; an input device receiving a direction adjusting command issued by the driver; and a control unit electrically connected to the driving module, the gaze detecting device and the input device, wherein when the input device receives the direction adjusting command from the driver, and the control unit determines whether the drivers' gaze direction falls within the predefined illuminating range; if so, the control unit controls the driving unit to adjust the illuminating direction of the headlight device toward the driver's gaze direction.