Segmented Headlight Control for Early Intersection Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing motor vehicle headlight systems, including both dynamic and static cornering lights, activate intersection lights too late, resulting in inadequate early warning to drivers of intersections due to the need to balance broad illumination with avoiding dazzling oncoming vehicles.
Innovation Solution
A motor vehicle with a control device for its main headlights that activates a static intersection light by gradually increasing the opening angle of the light cone in steps as the vehicle approaches an intersection, allowing for early activation without compromising the widest possible illumination, using multiple segments with adjustable light sources and considering various input variables like distance, road width, and speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the static cornering light is activated early to provide timely warning to drivers, then the driver's attention is drawn to intersections earlier, but the broad illumination of the intersection area is compromised due to risk of dazzling oncoming vehicles
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight assembly is divided into multiple independently controllable segments (first, second, third, and fourth segments) arranged in a specific pattern. Each segment can be activated separately to create different light distribution patterns. This segmentation allows the system to activate specific segments that illuminate the intersection area without directing light toward oncoming vehicles, thus resolving the contradiction between early activation and avoiding dazzling.
Solution Approach 2:
Different segments of the headlight are designed with specific spatial orientations and activation patterns tailored to their local positions. The first and second segments are activated to illuminate the intersection area laterally, while the third and fourth segments remain inactive or are controlled differently to avoid projecting light forward toward oncoming traffic. This localized control of light quality and direction enables early intersection illumination without compromising safety for oncoming drivers.
2Area of stationary object
If the opening angle of the light cone is increased to illuminate broader intersection areas, then better illumination of crossing streets is achieved, but oncoming vehicle drivers are more likely to be dazzled
Solution Approach 1:
The headlight is segmented into four independently controllable sections arranged in a rectangular pattern. By selectively activating only the first and second segments (which are oriented laterally), the system achieves broad illumination of the intersection area without the third and fourth segments projecting light forward that would dazzle oncoming drivers. This segmented control allows the light distribution to be widened laterally while maintaining safety in the forward direction.
Solution Approach 2:
Each segment is positioned and oriented to provide specific local illumination functions. The first and second segments are configured to emit light laterally toward the intersection area, creating wide illumination coverage. The third and fourth segments are positioned such that their activation would project light forward toward oncoming traffic, so they are controlled differently (kept inactive or activated at lower intensity). This local differentiation of light quality and direction resolves the contradiction between broad illumination and avoiding dazzling.
3Speed
If dynamic cornering lights are used to swivel headlights to match road course, then better road following illumination is achieved, but the opening angle remains limited and cannot provide broader intersection illumination
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single swiveling headlight assembly, the system employs four fixed segments arranged in a rectangular pattern. This segmentation allows the light distribution to be expanded laterally by activating specific segments without requiring mechanical swiveling. The fixed segments provide broad static illumination coverage of the intersection area, compensating for the lack of dynamic movement while achieving the goal of wide area illumination.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than rotating the entire headlight assembly to follow the road course (dynamic approach with limited opening angle), the invention inverts the approach by using fixed segments that are strategically positioned and selectively activated to create wide lateral illumination. This static segmented approach achieves broader intersection coverage without the mechanical complexity of swiveling, resolving the contradiction between responsiveness and illumination area.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a motor vehicle (10) with at least one main headlight (16) for providing a static intersection light (12), wherein the motor vehicle (10) has a control device for controlling the at least one main headlight (16) which is designed to activate the intersection light (12) when the motor vehicle (10) falls below a predefinable distance to an intersection (14) or junction.The at least one main headlight (16) has a plurality of segments assigned to the intersection light, wherein at least one light source is arranged in each segment, and the control device is designed to control the segments when the intersection light (12) is activated and when the motor vehicle (10) approaches the intersection (14) or junction in such a way that a dimension (A1; A2) of an area illuminated by the intersection light 14 at a given distance (d) in the direction of travel in front of the motor vehicle (10) increases stepwise in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the motor vehicle (10) in a plurality of steps.