Reverse Headlight Brightness Control for Steering-Angle Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for operating motor vehicle lighting systems during reversing do not effectively enhance visibility of obstacles in poor visibility conditions by dynamically adjusting headlight brightness based on steering angle, leading to potential collisions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves adjusting the brightness of headlight devices with multiple lamps by illuminating areas opposite the steering direction with increased brightness and reducing brightness in areas aligned with the steering direction, using dimmable lamps and control systems connected to steering angle sensors to optimize illumination distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the brightness of headlight devices is increased to improve obstacle visibility during reversing, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by adjusting the brightness of individual lamps within headlight devices based on their specific spatial position and steering angle. Different lamps illuminate different sub-areas of the spatial area, with some lamps increased in brightness and others reduced or dimmed, creating non-uniform local brightness distribution optimized for obstacle detection during reversing maneuvers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by continuously adjusting the brightness of headlight lamps in real-time based on the steering angle of the motor vehicle during reversing. The brightness adjustment is dynamic and responsive to changing steering conditions, allowing the lighting system to adapt to the vehicle's movement and maximize obstacle visibility while minimizing energy consumption
2Illumination intensity
If all headlight lamps are illuminated with maximum brightness during reversing, then obstacle visibility is maximized, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The control system applies local quality by selectively adjusting the brightness of specific lamps based on their spatial position and the steering angle, rather than uniformly controlling all lamps. This localized control approach simplifies the overall system complexity while maintaining effective obstacle visibility through targeted illumination of critical areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by illuminating only certain sub-areas of the spatial area with increased brightness during reversing, rather than maximizing all headlight output. By selectively activating and adjusting specific lamps based on steering angle and spatial position, the system achieves sufficient obstacle visibility without the energy consumption and complexity of full maximum brightness illumination
3Reliability
If the brightness distribution is adjusted based on steering angle to illuminate areas opposite the steering direction, then obstacle detection in critical areas is improved, but uniformity of illumination is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deliberately applies local quality by creating non-uniform brightness distribution across different sub-areas of the spatial area. Specific lamps are increased in brightness to illuminate critical areas opposite the steering direction where obstacles are most likely to be encountered during reversing, while other areas receive reduced or dimmed illumination, prioritizing reliability of obstacle detection in high-risk zones over uniform illumination
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a method for operating a motor vehicle (1), wherein the motor vehicle (1) has a lighting device (4) comprising at least two headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16), the headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) being arranged horizontally offset on a front side (7) of the motor vehicle (1) and each having one or more dimmable lamps (8), wherein a spatial region (18, 19, 29, 30) extending in front of the motor vehicle (1) over a horizontal angular range (20, 21, 32, 33) can be illuminated by each headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) according to a respective brightness generated by the lamp or lamps (8), wherein, before or during a reverse travel of the motor vehicle (1), according to a steering angle of the motor vehicle (1), the brightnesses of the lamp or lamps (8) of at least one of the headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) are adjusted, - wherein, when using headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) comprising a plurality of lamps (8), the lamps (8) are adjusted such that at least one portion (22-27) of the spatial region (18, 19, 29, 30) opposite the direction of the steering angle is illuminated at an increased brightness, and/or - wherein, when using headlight devices (5, 6, 15, 16) comprising at least one lamp (8), the brightness of the at least one lamp (8) of a headlight device (5, 6, 15, 16) arranged in the direction of the steering angle is dimmed.