Road-Projection Headlight Control for Vehicle Presence Recognition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of automobile headlights using LEDs poses challenges in recognizing the vehicle's presence from positions where direct light does not reach, potentially reducing safety.
Innovation Solution
An automobile system comprising a light source that emits first light toward a specific region on the road surface, a sensor to detect regularly reflected second light, and a controller to adjust the intensity and spectrum of the first light based on detection results, ensuring visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the headlight is miniaturized using LED, then the headlight size is reduced, but the vehicle presence recognition distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a reflective element as an intermediary component between the light source and the road surface. This reflective element redirects light from the miniaturized LED headlight onto the road surface, creating an extended visible indication of vehicle presence that reaches farther than the direct light from the small headlight alone could provide.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from direct linear light projection to two-dimensional illumination patterns on the road surface. By projecting light patterns onto the road surface area, the system extends vehicle presence indication in the horizontal dimension rather than relying solely on vertical beam reach, effectively compensating for the reduced headlight size.
2Loss of information
If the light intensity is increased to improve visibility, then the vehicle presence recognition is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs wavelength conversion technology that changes the spectral parameters of light. By converting blue or violet LED light into yellow or white light through phosphor materials, the system achieves better visibility and road surface reflection characteristics without increasing the energy consumption of the LED source itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for high-power light sources with a lower-power LED system combined with optical conversion and reflective elements. The mechanical/optical system of wavelength conversion and light redirection substitutes for simply increasing electrical power input, achieving the same visibility effect with reduced energy consumption.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the headlight is miniaturized, then the vehicle design flexibility is improved, but the safety distance for recognition is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent compensates for reduced vertical beam reach from miniaturized headlights by extending illumination in the horizontal dimension through road surface projection. This dimensional shift allows compact headlight design while maintaining extended vehicle presence indication distance across the road surface area.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective element acts as an intermediary that extends the effective reach of the miniaturized headlight. By redirecting light onto the road surface, this intermediary component allows small headlights to achieve the same safety recognition distance as larger traditional headlights would provide through direct beam projection.
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
Enhances vehicle recognition by oncoming drivers and pedestrians through controlled light intensity and spectrum, stabilizing brightness and improving safety, especially at varying road conditions and speeds.
Implementation Method 1
a light source disposed in the vehicle and configured to emit first light toward a first region of a road surface and emit second light toward a second region that is located directly below the vehicle on the road surface
Implementation Method 2
a sensor disposed in the vehicle to detect the second light regularly reflected in the second region
Data Source
AI summary
An automobile includes a vehicle, a light source, a sensor, and a controller. The light source is disposed in the vehicle and configured to emit first light toward a first region of a road surface and emit second light toward a second region that is located directly below the vehicle on the road surface and is different from the first region. The sensor is disposed in the vehicle to detect the second light regularly reflected in the second region. The controller is configured to control the light source to set at least one of an intensity or a spectrum of the first light or an image projected with the first light based on a detection result of the sensor.