Vehicle Headlight Control Using Adaptive Debounce Logic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing high beam assistant systems in vehicles lack effective control mechanisms to prevent dazzling of other vehicles when switching between high and low beam, leading to frequent and disruptive changes in light emission, which affects driving safety.

Innovation Solution

A method for controlling headlight emission using a traffic sign recognition system to set debounce times and stretches, allowing for adaptive adjustment of light emission characteristics based on recognized traffic signs and road conditions, thereby preventing dazzling and optimizing visibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If debounce time is extended to prevent dazzling of other vehicles, then driving safety is improved, but range of vision is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriving safetyVSAvoidrange of vision
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the debounce time variable rather than fixed. The control unit adjusts the debounce time dynamically based on detected road situations (curves, intersections, pedestrian crossings) and vehicle speed. This allows the system to extend debounce time only when necessary to prevent dazzling, while maintaining shorter debounce times otherwise to preserve range of vision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of debounce time based on different operating conditions. By detecting road geometry, traffic signs, and vehicle speed, the system modifies the debounce time parameter adaptively. This resolves the contradiction by allowing long debounce times only in specific situations where dazzling risk exists, while using shorter debounce times in open roads to maintain visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If high beam is activated continuously for better visibility, then range of vision is improved, but dazzling of other vehicles occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverange of visionVSAvoiddazzling of other vehicles
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring road situations through the traffic sign recognition device and other sensors. The control unit receives feedback about curves, intersections, and detected vehicles, then adjusts high beam activation accordingly. This feedback loop prevents dazzling by suppressing high beam only when road conditions indicate potential harm to other road users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by predicting potentially hazardous situations based on detected road geometry and traffic signs before vehicles or pedestrians actually appear. The system prepares to suppress high beam in advance when curves or intersections are detected, preventing dazzling before it occurs while maintaining visibility on open stretches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If frequent switching between high and low beam occurs, then adaptability to road conditions is improved, but driving safety is reduced due to disruptive changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to road conditionsVSAvoiddriving safety
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing adaptive debounce time that adjusts to vehicle speed and road conditions. At higher speeds, longer debounce periods prevent frequent switching, while at lower speeds, shorter debounce allows more responsive adaptation. This dynamic approach maintains safety by reducing disruptive changes while preserving necessary adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9428103B2Method for controlling a light emission of a headlight of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2016.08.30 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • US9428103B2 patent drawing
  • US9428103B2 patent drawing
  • US9428103B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for controlling a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle, which has a traffic sign recognition device. The method includes receiving at least one traffic sign recognition signal from an interface to the traffic sign recognition device. In this instance, the at least one traffic sign recognition signal represents a traffic sign recognized in a course of the road currently being traveled by the vehicle. The method also includes setting a debounce time and/or a debounce stretch for a change in the light emission of the at least one headlight between first and second radiation characteristics as a function of the at least one traffic sign recognition signal. Finally, the method includes delaying the change in the light emission of the at least one headlight by the debounce time set and/or the debounce stretch set, to control light emission of the at least one headlight.