Adaptive Headlight Beam Control for Vehicle Type Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional headlight control systems do not adequately adjust the upper headlight beam limit to account for the specific characteristics of other vehicles, leading to potential blinding of drivers and inadequate illumination of the road ahead.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that utilize sensors and cameras to detect the arrangement position and contour of other vehicles, determining their type and adjusting the headlight beam limit to avoid illuminating mirrors and ensure safe illumination, while also considering the vehicle's movement and road quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the headlight beam limit is adjusted to illuminate more of the road ahead, then road illumination is improved, but the risk of blinding other drivers increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveroad illuminationVSAvoiddriver blinding
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The headlight beam limit is dynamically adjusted based on real-time detection of other vehicles. The system continuously monitors the position and movement of foreign vehicles and adapts the upper beam limit accordingly, allowing maximum illumination when safe and reducing it when other drivers are present to prevent blinding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses optical sensors (cameras) to detect other vehicles and provides feedback to the control unit. This feedback loop enables the system to automatically adjust the headlight beam limit based on the detected vehicle type, position, and movement, resolving the contradiction between illumination and blinding prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If the headlight beam limit is adjusted based on detailed vehicle detection, then precision of beam adaptation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam adaptation precisionVSAvoiddetection and control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit performs multiple functions: it detects foreign vehicles using optical sensors, determines vehicle type based on characteristic features (lighting arrangements, contours), tracks vehicle movement, and adjusts the headlight beam limit. This multi-functionality in a single control unit achieves high precision beam adaptation without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects vehicle characteristics and adjusts the beam limit without requiring manual intervention. The control unit self-regulates the headlight positioning based on detected vehicle type and movement, achieving precise adaptation while minimizing the need for additional complex control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2800676B1Method and control device for adapting an upper boundary of a headlight beam
Publication Date: 2020.07.22 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2800676B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2800676B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b
  • EP2800676B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5a

AI summary

The invention relates to a method (200) for adapting an upper boundary (306) of a headlight beam of at least one headlight (104) of a vehicle (100). Said method consists of a step of inputting (202) at least one arrangement position of a lighting unit (302) on another vehicle (300) and/or a vehicle contour of the other vehicle (300) in order to provide an identification signal of the other vehicle. The method (200) further has a step of ascertaining (204) a vehicle type of the other vehicle (300) using the identification signal of the other vehicle and a step of outputting (206) a control signal (702) in order to adapt the upper boundary (306) of the headlight beam, said control signal (702) being output while taking into account the ascertained vehicle type.