Vehicle Lamp Intensity Control for Direction Indicator Dazzling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current vehicle lighting systems lack an automatic mechanism to control the intensity of headlamps and brake lamps, leading to potential dazzling of other road users and difficulty in visibility, especially when direction indicators are activated, relying on manual driver intervention which may be delayed or omitted.

Innovation Solution

A light intensity control system comprising a controller that automatically reduces the intensity of headlamps and brake lamps from high beam to dipped beam mode when direction indicators are activated, ensuring adequate illumination without dazzling other road users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If headlamps are operated in high-beam mode to provide intense light, then illumination intensity is improved, but visibility of direction indicators deteriorates due to dazzling effect

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheadlamp light intensityVSAvoiddazzling effect on direction indicators
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the headlamp intensity adjustable and changeable based on operating conditions. The control system dynamically switches between high-beam and dipped-beam modes depending on whether direction indicators are activated, allowing the illumination intensity to adapt rather than remain fixed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the intensity parameter of the headlamps based on the activation state of direction indicators. When direction indicators are on, the system reduces headlamp intensity from high-beam to dipped-beam mode, thereby adjusting the light distribution parameter to eliminate dazzling while maintaining adequate illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual intervention is required to switch from high-beam to dipped-beam mode, then driver control flexibility is improved, but response time and reliability deteriorate due to human delay or omission

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedriver control flexibilityVSAvoidautomatic response reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback by having the control system continuously monitor the activation state of direction indicators and automatically adjust headlamp intensity in response. This closed-loop control eliminates the need for manual intervention while ensuring reliable and immediate response to changing lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically detecting when direction indicators are activated and autonomously switching the headlamps from high-beam to dipped-beam mode without requiring driver action. This self-regulating mechanism improves both reliability and response time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Illumination intensity

If brake lamp intensity is increased to improve visibility, then braking signal visibility is improved, but visibility of direction indicators deteriorates due to combined light intensity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebrake lamp visibilityVSAvoiddazzling effect on direction indicators during braking
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics to brake lamp control by making the intensity adjustable based on the activation state of direction indicators. When direction indicators are on during braking, the system dynamically reduces brake lamp intensity to prevent dazzling while maintaining adequate braking signal visibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the intensity parameter of brake lamps based on feedback from direction indicator activation. This parameter adjustment ensures that brake lamp visibility is maintained at appropriate levels without creating harmful dazzling effects when combined with activated direction indicators.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4088969A1A system and method for controlling the light intensity of a vehicle lamp
Publication Date: 2022.11.16 VOLVO TRUCK CORP
  • EP4088969A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4088969A1 patent drawingFigure 5
  • EP4088969A1 patent drawing

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for controlling intensity of at least one headlamp (102) and/or at least one brake lamp (104) of a vehicle (100), characterized by the step of reducing intensity (3) of the at least one headlamp (102) and/or brake lamp (104) when direction indicators (106, 108) are activated.