LED Lighting System for Obstacle Detection and Driver Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current driver assistance systems in the automotive industry lack effective and cost-efficient technologies for obstacle detection, particularly for applications like adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and pre-crash systems, as existing technologies such as ultrasonic systems have limited penetration and performance.
Innovation Solution
A novel lighting system that integrates Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or other light sources for both illumination and obstacle detection, using modulation and pulsed light signals to detect objects and particles, including vehicles, pedestrians, and weather conditions, while leveraging existing lighting modules like headlamps and tail lamps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic systems are used for obstacle detection, then market penetration is achieved, but performance is insufficient for advanced driver assistance applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the lighting system to serve dual purposes: illumination and obstacle detection. The lighting module emits light signals that can be modulated for detection purposes, allowing the same hardware to perform both lighting and sensing functions across various driver assistance applications including adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, and pre-crash systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the illumination function and detection function into a single integrated lighting system. By merging these previously separate functions into one system, the patent achieves cost efficiency while maintaining high detection performance suitable for advanced driver assistance applications.
2Reliability
If dedicated detection sensors are integrated into the lighting system, then detection capabilities are enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system is designed to perform multiple functions using the same hardware components. The light emitting elements serve both as illumination sources and as active sensors for obstacle detection, eliminating the need for separate dedicated detection sensors and thereby reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system serves itself by using its own emitted light signals for detection purposes. The system modulates its illumination signals and detects the reflected light, allowing the lighting module to perform detection without requiring external or additional sensing components.
3Reliability
If multiple separate systems are used for lighting and detection, then functional performance is maintained, but cost efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lighting system and detection system into a single integrated module, eliminating the need for separate hardware components. This consolidation reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the functional performance of both illumination and obstacle detection through smart modulation and detection of light signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated lighting module is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously - providing illumination for visibility and enabling obstacle detection through modulated light signals. This multi-functional design reduces the overall system cost by eliminating redundant components while maintaining all required functional performances.
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
Enables efficient detection of obstacles and weather conditions, enhancing safety features like adaptive cruise control and pre-crash systems, while being cost-effective and compatible with existing vehicle lighting infrastructure, reducing the need for additional sensors and improving market penetration.
Implementation Method 1
a Light Emitting Diode (LED) has the capability to be used as lighting source for illumination as a first function and also be pulsed or modulated as a source for the detection sub-system as a second function
Implementation Method 2
The detector is provided so as to detect a light signal back-scattered by the objects or particles
Data Source
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AI summary
The present application adds detection capabilities to perceive the presence and/or measure the velocity of obstacles such as automobiles, trucks, pedestrian and other users, to vehicle lighting modules as headlamp, tail lamps, centre high mount stop lamp (CHMSL) and interior lighting to name a few, for driver assistance applications like adaptive cruise control, blind spot and pre-crash assist. For example, a Light Emitting Diode (LED) has the capability to be used as lighting source for illumination as a first function and also be pulsed or modulated as a source for the detection sub-system as a second function.