Vehicle Headlamp Beam Control With Three-Module Glare Management

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ADB systems face challenges in meeting conflicting illumination intensity requirements for vehicle headlamps, particularly in scenarios where the specific location and specific region for glare control are close to each other, leading to increased complexity and cost, which is not cost-effective for widespread adoption.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle headlamp system with three modules - high, low, and intermediary - that project beams over elongated areas with adjustable power output, using optics and sensors to dynamically adjust illumination based on driving conditions, ensuring compliance with NHTSA regulations without requiring a complex ADB system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the beam resolution and accuracy of beams adjustment devices are increased to meet conflicting illumination requirements, then the ability to meet regulation requirements is improved, but the cost of the headlamp and ADB system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam control accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp is divided into three independent modules (high beam module, low beam module, and intermediary beam module), each with its own light source and optical system. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function, meeting precise illumination requirements without requiring the entire system to have high complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each module is designed with specific optical characteristics tailored to its function: the high beam module provides long-range illumination, the low beam module provides short-range illumination, and the intermediary beam module provides medium-range illumination. This local optimization of quality allows the system to meet varying illumination requirements at different locations in the field of view without uniformly increasing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Manufacturing precision

If the beam control accuracy is increased to meet conflicting illumination requirements, then the ability to provide minimal illumination intensity at specific locations is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveillumination intensity controlVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp is divided into three independent modules (high beam module, low beam module, and intermediary beam module), each with its own light source and optical system. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function, meeting precise illumination requirements without requiring the entire system to have high complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system can dynamically switch between different beam modules based on driving conditions. The control unit selects which module(s) to activate depending on the required illumination level and distance, allowing the system to adapt its complexity to the actual operational needs rather than maintaining high complexity for all conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Illumination intensity

If the illumination intensity is increased to ensure good view of the road ahead, then the visibility is improved, but the glare control in specific regions becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroad visibilityVSAvoidglare to other drivers

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headlamp is divided into three independent modules (high beam module, low beam module, and intermediary beam module), each with its own light source and optical system. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized independently for its specific function, meeting precise illumination requirements without requiring the entire system to have high complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the illumination parameters (intensity, direction, distribution) by selecting different beam modules based on driving conditions. When another vehicle is detected, the system switches from high beam (high intensity) to low beam or intermediary beam (lower intensity), thereby maintaining road visibility while reducing glare to other drivers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively manages conflicting illumination requirements by dynamically adjusting beam patterns to ensure safe and efficient lighting, maintaining compliance with regulatory standards while reducing costs and complexity.

Implementation Method 1

each module comprises a light source and a set of optics configured so that said module projects its beam over an elongated area of the vision field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight: Light

Data Source

PatentUS20250361998A1Control of vehicle headlamps

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 PO LIGHTING CZECH SRO

AI summary

A headlamp of a vehicle comprises at least three modules producing a beam intended to be projected ahead of the vehicle when the headlamp is mounted thereon to illuminate a field of view defined in relation to the position of a driver seated in the vehicle. A high module projects a high beam, a low module projects a low beam made of a primary elongated area and an extended area of lower light intensity. An intermediary module projects an intermediary beam. A method for controlling the headlamp and a computer program implementing the method are also disclosed.