Vehicle Headlight Side Illumination Control via LED Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large vehicles face challenges in providing adequate side visibility during turns, leading to potential hazards due to blind spots and inadequate illumination, with existing solutions being costly, complex, or inadequate.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle headlight and control system featuring LED-based light sources that are selectively activated based on the vehicle's turning angle and speed, with optional pedestrian alert systems, including audible warnings, to enhance side illumination and visibility during turns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If mechanical means are used to tilt the headlight reflector sideways during turns, then side visibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical reflector tilting system with an electronic control system that selectively activates additional LED lighting sources during turns. This substitution eliminates mechanical moving parts while achieving the same goal of improving side visibility through controlled illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
The headlight system is divided into multiple independent lighting sources including center low beam lights and conditional side illumination lights. These segmented light sources can be independently controlled, allowing the side illumination to be activated only during turning maneuvers without affecting the main headlight function.
2Illumination intensity
If additional lighting sources are added to supplement side illumination during turns, then visibility is improved, but cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the conditional side illumination sources into the existing headlight fixture assembly rather than adding separate external lighting fixtures. This merging approach consolidates multiple lighting functions into a single integrated unit, reducing overall system complexity and installation requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The headlight fixture is designed to perform multiple functions: standard forward illumination through center low beam lights and enhanced side illumination during turns through conditional light sources. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate dedicated turning lights.
3Illumination intensity
If halogen or HID light sources are used, then illumination intensity is sufficient, but energy consumption is excessive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the light source from halogen or HID technology to LED technology. This parameter change enables the system to achieve sufficient illumination intensity while dramatically reducing energy consumption, as LEDs are inherently more energy-efficient than traditional automotive lighting.
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 improves driver and pedestrian visibility during turns, reduces the risk of accidents, and is more energy-efficient and cost-effective compared to traditional solutions.
Implementation Method 1
A headlight fixture includes center low beam lights, and conditional lights that are selectively activated, based on a detected turning angle of the vehicle, to provide side illumination during turns
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle headlight and control system for a bus or large vehicle includes a headlight fixture with a center or low beam light source and side illumination light source operated independently. The side illumination light source may be activated when the vehicle is turning, as detected by the vehicle speed and steering shaft turn angle, to provide supplemental illumination. Both right and left side illumination sources may be provided, and may comprise LED light elements. The system may also include an audible sound generator to alert pedestrians when the vehicle is turning.