Motorcycle Headlight Color Switching for Fog and Rider Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing light source switching control systems for straddle-type vehicles fail to provide adequate front visibility during poor weather conditions, as they often rely on automatic switching which can be disorienting for riders and require complex electronics, limiting miniaturization and design flexibility.

Innovation Solution

A light source switching control apparatus that allows riders to manually select and control light sources with different color temperatures based on vehicle status information, using a light source switching element and electronic control unit to ensure appropriate light emission, thereby enhancing rider autonomy and visibility while minimizing system complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automatic light source switching control is implemented, then light source switching is performed automatically according to ambient light conditions, but the switching control may not meet rider expectations and causes sudden changes that disorient riders and other drivers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic light source switchingVSAvoidrider adaptation to view clarity changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides dynamic light source switching that adapts to both environmental conditions and rider preferences. The control unit can automatically switch between light sources based on ambient light detection while also allowing riders to customize switching thresholds and preferences, creating a flexible system that responds to changing conditions without causing sudden disorienting changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where rider responses to automatic switching are monitored and used to adjust future switching behavior. The control unit learns from rider adaptations and modifies switching timing and conditions to better match rider expectations, reducing disorientation while maintaining automatic operation benefits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Extent of automation

If automatic light source switching control is implemented, then light source switching is performed automatically, but the system requires complex electronic components and large heat dissipation space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic light source switchingVSAvoidelectronic components and heat dissipation space
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the ambient light detection function with the existing vehicle lighting control system. The control unit integrates multiple functions (ambient light sensing, light source selection, switching control, and rider preference management) into a single control module, reducing the number of separate electronic components and consolidating heat dissipation requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The control unit is designed as a multi-functional device that performs ambient light detection, light source selection, switching control, and rider preference management all through one electronic component. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated circuits for each function, significantly reducing overall system complexity and heat dissipation space requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If light sources with higher color temperature are used, then illuminance is improved, but penetrating power in rain and fog is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveilluminanceVSAvoidpenetrating power in rain and fog
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically selects between high-color-temperature light sources (for better illuminance in clear conditions) and low-color-temperature light sources (for better penetrating power in rain and fog). The control unit automatically adjusts the color temperature of the emitted light based on environmental conditions detected by sensors, optimizing both illuminance and penetrating power according to current weather and lighting conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical parameter of color temperature to optimize performance for different environmental conditions. By switching between light sources with different color temperatures (e.g., 6000K for clear conditions, 3000K for foggy conditions), the system adapts its optical characteristics to match atmospheric conditions, improving both illuminance when needed and penetrating power when weather deteriorates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4324700A1Light source switching control apparatus and light source switching control method for straddle-type vehicle
Publication Date: 2024.02.21 YAMAHA MOTOR CO LTD
  • EP4324700A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4324700A1 patent drawingFigure 2(A)~2(C)
  • EP4324700A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is a light source switching control apparatus (1) for a straddle-type vehicle, including: a vehicle lighting unit (2), including a plurality of light sources (21, 22) having different color temperature values; a light source switching element (3) configured to be operated by a rider to set the light source (21, 22) to be selected and generate a light source signal value corresponding to the selected light source (21, 22); a vehicle status detecting unit (4) configured to detect statuses of the vehicle and generate at least one type of vehicle status information; and an electronic control unit (5) connected to the vehicle lighting unit (2) and configured to receive the light source signal value from the light source switching element (3) and the vehicle status information from the vehicle status detecting unit (4), wherein the electronic control unit (5) determines whether to output a light source command corresponding to the light source signal value to the vehicle lighting unit (2) based on the vehicle status information, whereby whether to make the selected light source (21, 22) emit light is controlled.