Movable Vehicle Lighting Element Controlled by Driver Gaze
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle lighting systems do not effectively adjust light direction based on the driver's viewing direction, especially in low-speed conditions or dark environments, which can hinder the driver's ability to focus on the road while maintaining hands on the steering wheel or performing other tasks.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising movable lighting elements, such as spotlights, actuated by a controller that detects the driver's direction of sight using a camera, allowing the lights to automatically adjust their direction to match the driver's gaze, and operates based on predefined speed and lighting conditions to ensure safe and efficient illumination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If lighting elements are fixed in position, then device complexity is reduced, but the ability to adjust light direction to match driver's viewing direction is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the lighting elements movable rather than fixed. The spotlights are mounted on movable assemblies that can rotate and adjust their orientation in response to the driver's viewing direction, allowing the system to adapt dynamically to changing conditions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the driver monitoring camera to detect the driver's viewing direction and automatically adjusts the lighting element orientation accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables the lighting system to adapt to driver needs without requiring manual intervention or complex control systems.
2Ease of operation
If manual adjustment of lighting elements is required, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates as driver must take hands off steering wheel
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system performs self-adjustment based on automatic detection of the driver's viewing direction. The system monitors the driver's gaze and autonomously repositions the lighting elements without requiring any manual input from the driver, thereby maintaining both ease of operation and driver safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The driver monitoring camera provides continuous feedback on the driver's viewing direction, which the control system uses to automatically adjust the lighting elements. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual adjustment while ensuring the lighting always matches the driver's attention focus.
3Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are always on, then illumination availability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time conditions including driver viewing direction, vehicle speed, and ambient light levels. The lighting elements are activated and directed only when and where needed, optimizing both illumination availability and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operational parameters including lighting element activation state, orientation, and intensity based on detected conditions. By adjusting these parameters dynamically rather than maintaining constant operation, the system achieves efficient energy use while ensuring illumination is available when required.
4Area of stationary object
If multiple lighting elements are added to cover all viewing directions, then illumination coverage is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using multiple fixed lighting elements to cover all directions simultaneously, the patent employs movable lighting assemblies that can rotate and redirect their beam. This dynamic approach allows a smaller number of lighting elements to cover the same total area by sequentially directing light to different regions as needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Each movable lighting assembly serves multiple functions by being capable of directing illumination to various areas. The same lighting element can serve different viewing directions at different times, making the system more versatile and reducing the total number of components required.
Data Source
AI summary
A disclosed light activation system includes a movable lighting element movable to adjust a direction of light, an actuator for moving the movable lighting element, a driver detection device and a controller configured to command operation of the actuator for moving the movable lighting element based on a detected direction of sight of the driver. A disclosed method of operating a vehicle lighting system includes monitoring a direction that a driver of a motor vehicle is looking, determining a lighting element within a region corresponding with the direction the driver is looking, and actuating a lighting element within the region based in response to the determined direction that the driver is looking and in response to a secondary condition being fulfilled.