Vehicle Weather Detection Using Pulsed Headlamp Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle weather condition identification systems require the illuminating unit to be activated, limiting their functionality to nighttime driving and failing to provide continuous weather condition detection during daylight or low-beam operation.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a pulsed light emission from the illuminating unit, using a pulse modulation device to control the illuminating unit to emit imperceptible light signals, synchronized with an image capturing unit, allowing continuous weather condition detection by comparing image data with predefined references.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the illuminating unit is activated continuously to enable weather condition detection, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases and the light function becomes visible to other road users
Solution Approach 1:
The illuminating unit emits light in periodic pulses rather than continuous operation. The pulse modulation device controls the illuminating unit to emit light signals at specific intervals, allowing the image capturing unit to capture images during illuminated periods while conserving energy during non-illuminated periods. This periodic activation maintains measurement precision for weather condition detection while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
2Measurement precision
If the illuminating unit is activated continuously to enable weather condition detection, then measurement precision is improved, but the light function becomes visible and may dazzle other road users
Solution Approach 1:
By activating the illuminating unit only in periodic pulses rather than continuously, the system minimizes the time during which light is emitted into the environment. This reduces the potential for dazzling other road users while still providing sufficient illumination for the image capturing unit to detect weather conditions during the pulse intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The illuminating unit is controlled to direct light primarily toward the road surface and weather conditions of interest, rather than omnidirectional illumination. This localized illumination approach improves weather condition detection while reducing light exposure to other road users, particularly those in positions where direct illumination would cause dazzling.
3Use of energy by moving object
If pulsed light emission is used to reduce energy consumption, then use of energy is improved, but the illuminating unit may not provide sufficient illumination for detection
Solution Approach 1:
The pulse modulation device generates light pulses with sufficient intensity and duration within each pulse cycle to provide adequate illumination for the image capturing unit. By concentrating energy delivery into focused pulses rather than distributing it continuously at lower intensity, the system achieves both energy conservation and sufficient illumination quality for reliable weather condition detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The system synchronizes the illuminating unit pulses with the image capturing unit operation. The illuminating unit emits light pulses just before or during the image capture moment, ensuring that maximum illumination is available precisely when needed for detection, thereby optimizing both energy efficiency and image quality.
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 reliable and continuous weather condition identification in vehicle surroundings, independent of the illuminating unit's activation state, facilitating autonomous driving and adaptive light distribution based on real-time weather conditions.
Implementation Method 1
an illuminating unit (2) for illuminating a front area (1) of a vehicle
Implementation Method 2
an image capturing unit (3) for capturing image information of the front area (1)
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for identifying a weather condition in surroundings of a vehicle, which includes an illuminating unit for illuminating the surroundings, a control unit for controlling the illuminating unit, an image capturing unit for capturing image information of the surroundings, an evaluation unit for evaluating the image information, image data provided by the image capturing unit being compared with predefined reference image data, each characterizing different weather conditions, and a weather condition signal being generated, depending on a match of the comparison, the control unit including a pulse modulation device, with the aid of which the illuminating unit is controlled in such a way that the illuminating unit emits pulsed light signals.