Automatic Off-Road Lighting Activation via Mode and Location Sensors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Off-road vehicle drivers face challenges in low-light conditions, including difficulty navigating trails at night and performing tasks like boat launches, due to inadequate lighting, which can lead to accidents or discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An automatic drive mode lighting management system that activates specific lighting configurations based on the vehicle's mode, speed, GPS location, and ambient light conditions, using under-chassis lights, puddle lamps, and 360-degree cameras to enhance visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual light switching is required, then driver control is maintained, but driver comfort and safety deteriorate in low-light off-road conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system automatically activates based on detected off-road conditions and ambient light levels, eliminating the need for manual driver intervention. The system monitors vehicle mode selection and environmental light conditions, then autonomously controls light activation to maintain both driver comfort and safety.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting is always on, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts its operation based on real-time detection of vehicle mode and ambient light conditions. Lights are activated only when off-road mode is selected and ambient light falls below threshold levels, rather than remaining constantly on, thereby optimizing visibility while conserving energy during on-road daytime operation.
3Illumination intensity
If multiple lighting systems are activated, then visibility in all directions is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting control system is segmented into distinct controllable units (headlights, fog lights, spotlights, under-chassis lights) that can be independently activated. This allows the system to provide comprehensive visibility coverage by selecting and activating only the specific light segments needed for the current off-road driving conditions, rather than requiring all lights to be permanently installed and controllable simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
Automatic drive mode lighting systems and methods are disclosed herein. An example method can include determining when a drive mode of a vehicle is an off-road mode, determining when a speed of the vehicle is below a speed threshold, determining when a location of the vehicle corresponds to an off-road location, and automatically activating off-road lighting for the vehicle when the drive mode is in an off-road mode, the speed is below the speed threshold, and the location corresponds to an off-road location.