Vehicle Headlight Beam Control for Short-Range Glare Mitigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles with high-mounted headlights or large vehicle height often experience glare to vehicles in front due to the high illumination range of both low and high beams, and existing Adaptive Driving Beam (ADB) systems may not sufficiently mitigate glare in these cases.
Innovation Solution
A headlight controller that adjusts the illumination range of both low and high beams downward by a predetermined amount when the inter-vehicle distance is less than a certain distance, regardless of ADB operation, to optimize the illumination range and reduce glare.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the illumination range of low and high beams is set high to ensure visibility for the driver in vehicles with high-mounted headlights, then the driver's visibility is improved, but glare is caused to vehicles in front
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the illumination range adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit dynamically changes the illumination range based on detected inter-vehicle distance, switching between a first illumination range (when distance is large) and a second illumination range (when distance is small). This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to optimize between visibility and glare mitigation depending on real-time conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination range parameter based on inter-vehicle distance. When the distance to a vehicle in front is below a threshold, the system transitions from a first illumination range that provides maximum visibility to a second illumination range that reduces glare. This parameter adjustment directly addresses the contradiction by modulating the illumination characteristics according to operational context.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ADB system partially dims the illumination range corresponding to vehicles in front, then glare is reduced, but visibility may be compromised when inter-vehicle distance is small
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between different illumination ranges based on inter-vehicle distance. When a vehicle is detected at a small distance, the system transitions to a second illumination range that is specifically optimized to reduce glare while maintaining adequate visibility. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by selecting the appropriate illumination mode based on real-time distance measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining multiple illumination ranges (first and second ranges) with different characteristics. Instead of gradually dimming the illumination, the system has prepared alternative illumination patterns in advance and switches between them based on detected conditions. This preliminary preparation allows for rapid adaptation to changing distance conditions while maintaining optimal visibility and glare reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A headlight controller controls a headlight unit that illuminates a predetermined range in front of a vehicle. The headlight controller includes an inter-vehicle distance obtainer, an illumination controller, and a light distribution controller. The inter-vehicle distance obtainer acquires an inter-vehicle distance from the vehicle on which the headlight unit is mounted to a vehicle in front traveling in front of the vehicle. The light distribution controller partially dims or shades a range corresponding to a position of the vehicle in front, within an illumination range of a high beam. When the inter-vehicle distance is less than a first distance, the illumination controller displaces downward by a predetermined amount at least an illumination range of a low beam out of the illumination range of the low beam and the illumination range of the high beam by the headlight unit, regardless of operation of the light distribution controller.