Adaptive Motorcycle Lighting for Lean-Angle Beam Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicles, particularly motorcycles, face challenges in maintaining optimal headlight and sensor orientation during leaning, leading to suboptimal illumination and sensor direction, which affects visibility and safety, and there is a need for efficient use of limited electrical resources.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive lighting system that adjusts low and high beams based on the vehicle's lean angle, using a sensor to generate a lean angle signal and control multiple adaptive elements within the lighting system to ensure optimal illumination patterns, including selective activation and deactivation of light sources to maintain visibility and reduce electrical consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vehicle leans during a turn, then the vehicle can navigate the turn, but the headlight and sensor direction becomes suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the headlight assembly movable relative to the vehicle frame. The headlight is mounted on a movable support structure that allows it to adjust its orientation independently of the vehicle's lean angle, enabling the light beam to remain directed down the road rather than tilting with the vehicle during turns.
2Device complexity
If the headlight illuminates the road directly in front of the vehicle, then the structure is simple, but the beam does not provide illumination down the road
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight assembly is mounted on a movable support structure that enables dynamic adjustment of the light beam direction. This allows the system to illuminate further down the road by angling the beam forward, rather than simply illuminating the area directly in front of the vehicle.
3Illumination intensity
If all light sources remain active during turns, then visibility is maintained, but electrical resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively activating different light sources based on the vehicle's operational state. During turns, the system activates only the light sources positioned on the inside of the turn, rather than illuminating all directions. This provides adequate visibility for the turning maneuver while reducing overall electrical consumption.
4Device complexity
If sensors are mounted to the vehicle frame, then the mounting is simple, but the sensors become misdirected during leaning
Solution Approach 1:
The sensor assembly is mounted on the movable support structure alongside the headlight, allowing the sensors to dynamically adjust their orientation during vehicle operation. This ensures that the sensors remain properly aligned with the road ahead, maintaining measurement precision even when the vehicle leans during turns.
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system for a vehicle having a vehicle structure has a housing and a lens. A plurality of light sources are disposed within the housing. A sensor is disposed between the housing and the lens and senses a condition outside the lens.