Vehicle Headlight Laser Phase Modulation Brightness Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle headlights face challenges in maintaining consistent brightness and comfort for drivers when switching between light distribution patterns, such as low beam and high beam, due to unintentional changes in irradiated regions, and in preventing dazzling of pedestrians or oncoming vehicles.

Innovation Solution

A headlight system utilizing a laser light source and a phase modulation element that diffracts laser light with a changeable phase modulation pattern, adjusting the total luminous flux according to the light distribution pattern, and using detection information to reduce light intensity in specific regions, such as those overlapping with pedestrians or oncoming vehicles, while maintaining consistent intensity distribution in other areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the light distribution pattern is changed by switching hologram elements, then the light distribution pattern can be switched between low beam and urban light distribution patterns, but the total luminous flux amount changes unintentionally causing driver discomfort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight distribution pattern switching capabilityVSAvoidtotal luminous flux amount consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the total luminous flux amount based on the selected light distribution pattern. When switching between low beam and urban light distribution patterns, the system changes the luminous flux parameter to compensate for the inherent differences in irradiated area, thereby maintaining consistent perceived brightness and preventing driver discomfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Illumination intensity

If high beam units are used to increase visibility, then the irradiation area is expanded, but pedestrians and oncoming vehicles may be dazzled by the intense light

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevisibility rangeVSAvoiddazzling effect on pedestrians and other vehicles

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selectively adjusting the luminous flux amount for specific regions rather than uniformly across all areas. The system identifies regions containing pedestrians or oncoming vehicles and reduces the luminous flux specifically in those directions, while maintaining high illumination in other areas where visibility is needed, thus preventing dazzling while preserving visibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback mechanisms by using detection means to identify the presence of pedestrians or oncoming vehicles in the irradiation area. Based on this feedback information, the control means dynamically adjusts the luminous flux amount of specific high beam units to prevent dazzling, creating a closed-loop control system that responds to real-time environmental conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the light distribution pattern is changed according to detected targets, then the irradiation to prohibited targets is suppressed, but the overall brightness consistency may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirradiation to prohibited targetsVSAvoidoverall brightness consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the luminous flux amount parameter based on both the light distribution pattern and the detected target information. When prohibited targets are detected, the system modifies the luminous flux parameter for affected regions while compensating in other regions to maintain overall brightness consistency, ensuring both safety and visual comfort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures minimal discomfort for drivers by stabilizing brightness across light distribution pattern changes and effectively reducing dazzling effects on pedestrians and other vehicles, enhancing visibility and safety.

Implementation Method 1

a phase modulation element that diffracts the laser light emitted from the light source with a phase modulation pattern that is changeable

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentUS11346518B2Headlight for vehicle

Publication Date: 2022.05.31 KOITO MFG CO LTD

AI summary

A headlight (1) includes a lamp unit (20) including: light sources (52R,52G,52B) that emit laser light; and phase modulation elements (54R,54G,54B) that diffract the laser light emitted from the light sources (52R,52G,52B) with a phase modulation pattern that is changeable, and emit light of a light distribution pattern based on the phase modulation pattern. The lamp unit (20) adjusts a total luminous flux amount of light emitted from the lamp unit (20) according to the light distribution pattern.