Infrared Light Emitting Unit for Vehicle Drowsiness Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drowsiness prevention systems for vehicles face challenges in accurately determining driver drowsiness due to misjudgments caused by driver posture, habits, or unique behaviors, and the placement of infrared light emitting units in front of the driver obstructs the view and causes eye strain.
Innovation Solution
A drowsiness prevention system that directs infrared light inclined from the central axis towards the driver's iris, allowing the light emitting unit to be mounted in areas other than the driver's front, such as the windscreen, rear-view mirror, or dashboard, using a light emitting unit with a TIR lens and reflector design that localizes light emission to one side of the central axis, avoiding the need for the driver to focus on the light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the infrared light emitting unit is mounted in front of the driver to accurately focus infrared light on the driver's eyes, then the measurement precision of driver condition is improved, but the driver's view is blocked and eye strain is caused
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the infrared light emitting unit from the traditional front-mounted position to alternative locations such as the dashboard, instrument panel, or A-pillar area. This spatial repositioning allows the light to be directed at the driver's eyes from a different angle, eliminating view obstruction and eye strain while maintaining effective iris illumination for accurate drowsiness detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a reflective surface or mirror mechanism as an intermediary to redirect infrared light from the relocated emitting unit toward the driver's eyes. This intermediary component enables the light path to bypass the driver's direct line of sight while still achieving precise focusing on the iris, thus resolving the contradiction between detection accuracy and driver comfort
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the infrared light emitting unit is relocated to areas other than the driver's front area, then the driver's view is no longer blocked and eye strain is reduced, but the light distribution angle must be precisely controlled to focus on the driver's eyes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs optical components with localized light distribution characteristics, such as asymmetric TIR lenses or reflectors with specific geometric configurations, that are designed to direct infrared light precisely toward the driver's eye region from the relocated position. These components create a focused beam pattern that concentrates energy where needed while minimizing stray light, thereby reducing the complexity of system-level control
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adjusts key optical parameters including the light emitting unit's mounting position, orientation angle, and optical component design to optimize the light distribution pattern. By carefully selecting and tuning these parameters, the system achieves accurate iris illumination from alternative locations without requiring complex active control mechanisms
3Adaptability or versatility
If the light emitting unit is mounted in the windscreen or other non-traditional locations, then the system can be installed with fewer structural limitations, but the light must be precisely directed toward the driver's eyes from these alternative positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates preliminary alignment features directly into the light emitting unit assembly, such as pre-set mounting angles, integrated alignment marks, or mechanical guides that ensure correct orientation during installation. This preliminary preparation simplifies the installation process and ensures accurate light direction toward the driver's eyes even when mounted in alternative locations like the windscreen, dashboard, or A-pillar
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the optical system with self-aligning characteristics, where the light emitting unit or its optical components automatically adjust or lock into the correct position and orientation during installation. This self-service mechanism reduces the need for complex external alignment tools or procedures, enabling precise light direction from alternative mounting locations while maintaining installation flexibility
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 enables accurate detection of the driver's iris without obstructing the view or causing eye strain, reducing misjudgments and improving safety by allowing the light emitting unit to be placed in non-intrusive locations, thus enhancing the system's efficiency in preventing drowsy driving.
Implementation Method 1
a TIR lens having a refractive index higher than that of a medium covering the upper and side surfaces of the LED chip and including entrance planes bordering the medium and exit planes from which light entering through the entrance planes is emitted
Implementation Method 2
a reflector coupled to the TIR lens
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a drowsiness prevention system installed in a vehicle. The drowsiness prevention system includes: a light emitting unit irradiating infrared light toward the driver's iris, an infrared camera capturing images of the driver's iris, and a warning sound generating unit determining the driver to be drowsy to generate a warning sound when the driver's iris is not detected from the images captured by the infrared camera within a preset reference time. The distribution angle pattern of the infrared light is inclined from a central axial line. The light emitting unit is mounted in an area other than the driver's front area.