Vehicle Headlight Segmentation for Pedestrian Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle headlights struggle to maintain visibility of pedestrians and similar targets when they are close to the driving lane, as they often fall outside the light distribution pattern, leading to difficulties in determining if the path is clear.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle headlight system comprising a first illuminator with a projector unit, a second illuminator with a reflector unit, and a target detector that uses imaging to detect targets and control illumination, ensuring the second illuminator illuminates the side near the vehicle and a third illuminator provides additional light above the cutoff line for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a cutoff line is formed in the light distribution pattern to prevent glare to oncoming drivers, then glare prevention is improved, but visibility of targets near the vehicle on the outer side deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is divided into multiple independent illuminators: a first illuminator (projector) that creates the main light distribution pattern with cutoff line for glare prevention, and a second illuminator (reflector) that provides additional illumination specifically for the outer side region. This segmentation allows each illuminator to perform its specialized function without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between glare prevention and outer side visibility.
2Illumination intensity
If the light distribution pattern is extended toward the outer side to improve visibility of pedestrians, then visibility is improved, but light is radiated above the cutoff line causing glare to oncoming drivers
Solution Approach 1:
The second illuminator (reflector) is specifically designed to provide localized illumination only in the outer side region below the cutoff line. Its light distribution is carefully controlled to illuminate pedestrians and cyclists on the outer side without radiating light above the cutoff line, thus improving visibility without causing glare to oncoming drivers.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple illuminators are used to improve light distribution, then illumination coverage is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit integrates multiple functions into a single control system: it detects targets using imaging units, determines whether targets are within illumination regions, and controls the timing of the second illuminator all in one place. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity despite having multiple illuminators, as the control logic is centralized and coordinated.
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
The system significantly improves visibility of targets by illuminating them near the vehicle and at wider angles, allowing for better monitoring of the path's clearness and early detection of pedestrians, even when they are close.
Implementation Method 1
a first illuminator that illuminates a predetermined region ahead of a vehicle with a first light distribution pattern having a cutoff line at an upper end; the first illuminator may include a projector unit including a projection optical system
Implementation Method 2
a second illuminator that illuminates, with a second light distribution pattern, a region near the vehicle on a lower side of the cutoff line of the first light distribution pattern; the second illuminator may include a reflector unit including a reflective optical system
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle headlight includes: a first illuminator that illuminates a predetermined region ahead of a vehicle with a first light distribution pattern having a cutoff line at an upper end; a second illuminator that illuminates, with a second light distribution pattern, a region near the vehicle on a lower side of the cutoff line of the first light distribution pattern and further toward an outer side in a width direction than a side end of the first light distribution pattern; a target detector that detects a target adjacent to a driving lane ahead of the vehicle with a possibility of movement; and an illumination controller that performs illumination with the second illuminator over a predetermined time after the target has been detected and then terminates the illumination by the second illuminator.