Vehicle Headlight Control System for Glare-Free High Beam Activation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle lighting systems require manual driver intervention to switch between low and high beams, leading to inconsistent use, potential dazzling of other road users, and reduced visibility due to driver fatigue or forgetfulness, especially at night.

Innovation Solution

A method that automatically switches the vehicle's headlights from low to high beam after a predetermined distance has been traveled, taking into account factors like traffic density, road type, and ambient conditions to ensure glare-free operation and optimal illumination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the high beam is activated immediately when the main headlights are at the same level as the vehicle, then the illumination coverage is maximized, but oncoming drivers may be blinded by the glare

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveillumination coverageVSAvoidglare to oncoming drivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of oncoming vehicles using the surroundings recognition device before activating the high beam. By checking whether main headlights of oncoming vehicles are at the same level as the ego vehicle in advance, the system prevents glare before it occurs, allowing safe high beam activation only when the road ahead is clear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The surroundings recognition device continuously provides feedback about the presence and position of oncoming vehicles. This feedback loop allows the control device to dynamically adjust the high beam activation state, switching between low beam and high beam based on real-time detection of other road users, thus eliminating glare while maintaining optimal illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If the driver manually switches between high and low beam, then the illumination can be adjusted, but driver fatigue and forgetfulness lead to inconsistent use and reduced safety

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanual control flexibilityVSAvoidconsistent lighting usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lighting system performs self-service by automatically detecting the driving environment and switching between high and low beam without driver intervention. The surroundings recognition device and control device work together to autonomously determine the appropriate lighting state, eliminating the need for manual switching and ensuring consistent, reliable lighting adaptation to various road conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical switching operation is replaced by an automated electronic control system. The control device uses electronic signals from the surroundings recognition device to automatically activate or deactivate the high beam, substituting the mechanical driver action with an intelligent automated system that never forgets or becomes fatigued.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the high beam is deactivated immediately when an oncoming vehicle is detected, then glare is prevented, but the driver experiences reduced visibility and increased fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveglare preventionVSAvoiddriver visibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The system checks in advance whether the main headlights of an oncoming vehicle are at the same level as the ego vehicle before deactivating the high beam. This preliminary detection allows the high beam to remain active longer, providing optimal illumination for the driver, while ensuring deactivation occurs only when necessary to prevent glare to oncoming drivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2691263B1Method and control appliance for switching on a main beam of a vehicle
Publication Date: 2020.09.02 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2691263B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2691263B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2691263B1 patent drawingFigure 5a~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for switching on a main beam of a vehicle (100), comprising a step of receiving full-beam-activation information via an interface, the full-beam-activation information displaying a possibility for the anti-dazzle operation of the main beam (104). The method also comprises a step of determining a distance covered by the vehicle, in response to the reception of the full-beam-activation information, and a step of providing switching-on information for switching on the main beam when the covered distance following the reception of the full-beam-activation information is longer than a pre-determined minimum distance.