Adaptive Vehicle Headlight Scanline Cut-Off Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current laser scanning methods for vehicle lighting systems suffer from low vertical resolution, resulting in unsteady horizontal edges when adjusting the cut-off of the light pattern, which can be distracting for traffic participants.

Innovation Solution

The method involves adapting the position of at least one scanline with respect to a reference illumination pattern by switching off parts of scanlines and adjusting the distance between adjacent scanlines to create a smoother cut-off, allowing for more precise control over the light distribution without revealing the system's native low vertical resolution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If laser scanning is used to create adaptive illumination patterns, then the ability to dynamically adjust light distribution and create dark sections is improved, but the vertical resolution is reduced leading to unsteady horizontal edges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedynamic light distribution adjustmentVSAvoidvertical resolution
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The illumination pattern is divided into multiple individual scanlines that can be independently controlled. By selectively switching off portions of scanlines, the system creates precise cut-off patterns and dark sections while maintaining overall adaptability. This segmentation allows the horizontal edges to be formed by combining multiple scanlines rather than relying on a single line, thereby smoothing the edges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the illumination pattern by electronically controlling which portions of scanlines are active or inactive. The cut-off position and dark sections can be moved and reshaped in real-time by changing the control signals to the laser scanner, enabling adaptive light distribution without mechanical moving parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cut-off position is adjusted by switching off portions of scanlines, then adaptability is improved, but visible intensity variations and unsteady edges are created

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecut-off position adjustmentVSAvoidillumination pattern stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple adjacent scanlines are combined to form the cut-off pattern. Instead of relying on a single scanline boundary, the system merges several scanlines together, where the collective boundary of multiple lines creates a smoother, more stable horizontal edge. This merging effect reduces the visibility of individual line variations and intensity fluctuations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system maintains continuous illumination coverage by ensuring that adjacent scanlines overlap or abut without gaps. When adjusting the cut-off position, the transition is achieved by progressively activating or deactivating portions of multiple scanlines rather than making abrupt changes, thereby maintaining continuous and stable illumination throughout the adjustment process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 approach enables smoother movement of horizontal edges and reduces visible intensity variations, enhancing the overall smoothness and stability of the illumination pattern, thereby improving the driving experience.

Implementation Method 1

The surface of the converter device may comprise a phosphor surface partially converting the blue laser light to yellow light

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhosphorescence: Phosphorescence

Data Source

PatentEP3488146B1Adaptive illumination method for vehicle headlight
Publication Date: 2022.09.07 LUMILEDS LLC
  • EP3488146B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3488146B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3488146B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention describes a method of providing an illumination pattern (100) for vehicle lighting, the method comprising the steps of: - providing a light pattern comprising a multitude of scanlines (110) of white light by illuminating a light converter (220) by means of a scanning laser arrangement (210) for illuminating an area, wherein the scanlines (110) are characterized by a defined scanline width (113); - adapting a cut-off (114) of the light pattern by changing a position of at least one scanline (110) with respect to a reference illumination pattern or by dimming at least a limited portion of at least one scanline (110). The invention further describes a vehicle headlight system (200) and a computer program product.