Vehicle Headlight Control for Side Impact Warning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting systems do not effectively adapt light emission to warn drivers of impending side collisions, lacking a comprehensive method to illuminate and alert both the driver and other vehicles involved in a potential side impact.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that control headlight light emission based on a side collision warning signal and position information, adjusting brightness, beam angle, and pattern to illuminate and alert other vehicles, utilizing existing sensors and devices for cost-effective and space-efficient implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing vehicle lighting systems are used, then the basic lighting function is provided, but the system cannot effectively adapt light emission to warn drivers of impending side collisions
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight system dynamically adjusts its emission characteristics (brightness, beam angle, pattern) based on real-time collision risk assessment from the side collision warning system, transforming a static lighting system into an adaptive safety system that responds to changing traffic conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The existing headlight infrastructure is repurposed to serve dual functions: standard illumination and active collision warning, eliminating the need for separate warning light systems while enhancing safety capabilities
2Reliability
If new sensors and devices are added to adapt lighting for collision warning, then the warning effectiveness is improved, but the system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the side collision warning system with the existing headlight control system, integrating collision detection data directly into headlight control logic to eliminate separate warning light hardware and reduce overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The headlight control unit is enhanced to perform multiple functions: standard illumination control and collision-based warning signal generation, utilizing existing hardware resources efficiently without requiring additional dedicated warning devices
3Illumination intensity
If the light emission is increased to illuminate other vehicles, then the visibility and warning effect are improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates high-intensity warning illumination only periodically when collision risk is detected, rather than maintaining constant high brightness, thereby achieving effective warning while minimizing overall energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The headlight system directs enhanced illumination specifically toward the detected at-risk vehicle's position rather than uniformly increasing brightness in all directions, optimizing energy usage by concentrating light where it is most needed for warning
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (200) for controlling the light emission of at least one headlight of a vehicle is proposed. The method (200) includes a step of reading (210) a side impact warning signal. The side impact warning signal represents a risk of a side impact to the vehicle from another vehicle. The method (200) also includes a step of generating (220) a control signal using the side impact warning signal and position information. The position information represents the position of the other vehicle relative to the vehicle. The method (200) further includes a step of controlling (230) the light emission of the at least one headlight based on the control signal in order to illuminate the other vehicle by means of the at least one headlight.