Vehicle Rear Lighting and Camera Timing for Glare-Limited Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle rear illumination systems fail to provide sufficient illumination behind the vehicle while adhering to regulatory brightness limits, and back-up cameras struggle to gather enough light for effective driver assistance.
Innovation Solution
An illumination system with a tail lamp assembly that adjusts its brightness and field of illumination based on the presence of oncoming vehicles, using a sensor and controller to switch between modes, and a camera system that processes video input to enhance visibility for the driver.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the tail lamp assembly provides strong illumination to extend illumination farther behind the vehicle, then the illumination depth is improved, but oncoming drivers may be blinded or distracted
Solution Approach 1:
The tail lamp assembly dynamically switches between first and second modes based on detected oncoming vehicles. When an oncoming vehicle is detected within a threshold distance, the system transitions to the first mode with reduced illumination intensity to prevent blinding, and when no oncoming vehicle is present, it switches to the second mode with extended illumination depth.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination parameters of the tail lamp assembly are changed based on environmental conditions. The controller adjusts the illumination intensity by switching between different operational modes (first mode and second mode), thereby adapting the illumination depth and intensity to current traffic conditions to resolve the contradiction between providing sufficient illumination and avoiding blinding oncoming drivers.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the tail lamp assembly operates in the first mode to avoid blinding oncoming drivers, then the harmful effect on onlookers is reduced, but the illumination depth behind the vehicle is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the illumination mode based on the presence of oncoming vehicles. When no oncoming vehicle is detected, the tail lamp assembly operates in the second mode to provide maximum illumination depth. When an oncoming vehicle is detected, it switches to the first mode to reduce illumination intensity and avoid blinding, thus dynamically resolving the contradiction between illumination depth and harm reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller continuously monitors for oncoming vehicles and periodically switches between the first and second modes based on detection results. This periodic assessment and switching allows the system to alternate between high illumination depth (when safe) and reduced illumination (when oncoming vehicles are present), effectively managing the trade-off between illumination quality and safety for onlookers.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the camera operates during low illumination periods to reduce energy consumption, then the energy use is improved, but the video input quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The camera controller enables the camera to operate periodically during the first illumination period when the tail lamp assembly provides adequate lighting. During the second illumination period when illumination is reduced, the camera operation is suspended. This periodic operation pattern allows the system to balance energy consumption with video quality by capturing images only when illumination conditions are sufficient.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera controller receives feedback from the illumination system status and adjusts camera operation accordingly. When the tail lamp assembly is in the first mode with sufficient illumination, the camera is enabled to capture high-quality video. When the system switches to the second mode with reduced illumination, the camera is disabled to prevent degradation of video quality, thus using feedback to optimize both energy consumption and information quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicular vision system includes an exterior lighting assembly that illuminates a field of illumination exterior of a vehicle. A light source controller operates the exterior lighting assembly in a repeating cycle that includes (i) a first illumination period wherein light emitted by the exterior lighting assembly has a first brightness level and (ii) a second illumination period wherein the emitted light has a second brightness level lower than the first brightness level. A camera controller operates a camera to capture image data during at least part of the first illumination period and at least part of the second illumination period. A camera signal processor receives captured image data and processes image data captured by the camera during the first illumination period for (i) display of video images derived from the image data captured by the camera during the first illumination period and/or (ii) for object detection.