Vehicle Headlight Control Unit Adaptive Debouncing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing high beam assist systems for vehicle headlights do not effectively adapt to visual range differences between low-beam and high-beam light distributions, leading to inefficient switching between light emission characteristics, which can cause discomfort and reduced visibility for drivers.
Innovation Solution
A method that adjusts the debouncing time for headlight switching based on the visual range difference between low-beam and high-beam light distributions, using topology data to determine optimal waiting times for changing light emission characteristics, ensuring improved comfort and visual range by delaying or hastening the switch to high-beam light based on environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the debouncing time for headlight switching is fixed, then the system is simple to control, but it cannot adapt to different visual range differences between low-beam and high-beam light distributions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the debouncing time variable rather than fixed. The control unit adapts the debouncing time based on the detected visual range difference between low-beam and high-beam light distributions. When the visual range difference is large, a shorter debouncing time is used to quickly switch to high-beam light. When the visual range difference is small, a longer debouncing time is used to avoid frequent switching. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.
2Speed
If the switching between light emission characteristics occurs quickly, then the visual range improvement is achieved faster, but it may cause erratic switching and discomfort to the driver
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the debouncing time parameter based on the visual range difference. Instead of using a fixed switching speed, the system modifies the time parameter to optimize both responsiveness and comfort. When conditions warrant quick switching (large visual range difference), the debouncing time is reduced. When conditions suggest potential discomfort (small visual range difference), the debouncing time is increased. This resolves the contradiction between switching speed and driver comfort.
3Reliability
If a long waiting time is set before switching to high-beam light, then false switching is prevented, but the visual range benefit is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the waiting time (debouncing time) adaptive rather than static. The control unit calculates the appropriate waiting time based on the visual range difference between light distributions. When the visual range difference is large, indicating a clear benefit from high-beam light, the waiting time is shortened to quickly provide the visual benefit. When the visual range difference is small, the waiting time is lengthened to prevent false switching and ensure reliability. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction between reliability and time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for setting a characteristic of a light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle includes reading in topology data which represent a topology of the surroundings of the vehicle. The method also includes ascertaining a visual range difference between a topology-related first visual range which is associated with a first characteristic of the light emission, and a topology-related second visual range which is associated with a second characteristic of the light emission, using the topology data. Finally, the method includes adapting a waiting time period for changing a characteristic of the light emission as a function of the visual range difference.