Vehicle Lamp Light Pattern Detection for Surface Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lamp systems fail to detect foreign substances on light-emitting surfaces effectively, leading to reduced visibility and safety during driving, as dirt can go unnoticed until the front remains dark when the lamp is turned on.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lamp system incorporating an imaging device and a foreign substance determination device that captures and compares light distribution patterns to determine if foreign substances are present on the light-emitting surface, using a stored reference pattern to automatically identify and address any adherence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a cleaning device that injects cleaning liquid is used, then the light emitting surface can be cleaned, but the detection of foreign substance adherence remains dependent on manual visual inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection (mechanical/human system) with an optical detection system using imaging devices and image processing. The imaging device captures light distribution patterns from the lamp, and image processing automatically detects foreign substances by analyzing deviations from reference patterns, eliminating the need for manual visual checking.
2Device complexity
If manual visual inspection is used to detect dirt, then no additional detection devices are needed, but foreign substances may be unnoticed and safety is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the imaging device continuously monitors the light distribution pattern, compares it with a reference pattern, and automatically detects foreign substances. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable detection without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining driving safety.
3Ease of operation
If the driver visually checks the light emitting surface, then foreign substances can be detected, but the driver's attention is diverted from the road
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the vehicle lamp system to perform self-diagnosis by automatically detecting foreign substances on the light emitting surface using the imaging device and image processing. This self-service capability eliminates the need for driver intervention, allowing the driver to focus on the road while the system independently monitors and detects issues.
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 increases driving safety by automatically detecting and addressing foreign substances on vehicle lamps, reducing the likelihood of unnoticed dirt and enhancing visibility, thus improving safety.
Implementation Method 1
a vehicle lamp configured to emit light to a front area of a vehicle to form a predetermined light distribution pattern
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle lamp system includes: a vehicle lamp that emits light to a front area of a vehicle thereby forming a predetermined light distribution pattern; an imaging device that captures an image of the front area of the vehicle; and a foreign substance determination device including a storage unit that stores a light distribution pattern formed in the front area by the vehicle lamp in a state where no foreign substance adheres to a light emitting surface as a reference pattern, and a determination unit that compares a light distribution pattern captured by the imaging device with the reference pattern and determines whether a foreign substance adheres to the light emitting surface based on a determination result.