Sequential Vehicle Lamp Startup Alert System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing vehicle lamp systems do not effectively draw attention to surrounding vehicles or pedestrians when a vehicle is starting, as the hazard lamp lighting device does not serve this purpose effectively.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle lamp system with a headlight device comprising a right and left headlight unit, each with light emitting elements, controlled by a controller that sequentially turns on the light emitting elements when starting signals are input, with the irradiation region of one headlight moving opposite to the other, to call attention to the surroundings, and includes a detecting module for abnormality detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the hazard lamp is turned on to confirm locking and unlocking of the door lock, then the door lock status is confirmed, but the surrounding vehicles or pedestrians are not called attention when starting a vehicle

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedoor lock confirmationVSAvoidlack of attention to surroundings
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by sequentially turning on light emitting elements before the vehicle starts moving. This preliminary lighting action occurs during the startup phase to alert surrounding vehicles or pedestrians before the vehicle begins motion, addressing the safety concern of not being noticed during vehicle startup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The controller sequentially turns on light emitting elements in a periodic manner during vehicle startup. This periodic activation creates a noticeable pattern that draws attention from surrounding vehicles or pedestrians, while the maximum illuminance is controlled to be lower than during normal traveling to avoid glare.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Illumination intensity

If the maximum illuminance during traveling is used when starting the vehicle, then visibility is improved, but surrounding vehicles or pedestrians may not be effectively alerted due to lack of distinction from normal headlight pattern

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoidlack of distinct visual cue
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by using different illuminance levels for different operational states. Specifically, the maximum illuminance during vehicle startup is set lower than during normal traveling, creating a distinct visual pattern that alerts surrounding vehicles or pedestrians without causing glare, while still providing sufficient visibility during the startup phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If light emitting elements are turned on continuously, then visibility is maintained, but defects of some light emitting elements cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovevisibilityVSAvoiddefect detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The controller sequentially turns on light emitting elements in a periodic manner during vehicle startup rather than keeping them continuously on. This sequential activation allows each element to be individually observed, making it easier to detect defects in specific elements while still providing overall visibility during the startup phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

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

The system effectively informs surrounding vehicles or pedestrians of the vehicle's starting and improves safety by providing a distinct visual cue that is different from the normal headlight pattern during travel, allowing for the detection of defects in light emitting elements.

Implementation Method 1

the right headlight unit includes light emitting elements and the left headlight unit includes light emitting elements to produce headlight light patterns

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight emitting: Light Emitting Diode

Data Source

PatentEP2682306B1Vehicle lamp system
Publication Date: 2020.06.10 KOITO MFG CO LTD
  • EP2682306B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2682306B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2682306B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A vehicle lamp system 1 includes a plurality of light source units 22R and 22L and a controller 14 which controls the plurality of light source units 22R and 22L. The controlled 14 sequentially turns on the plurality of light source units 22R and 22L when signals for operating a vehicle 10 are input. Thereby, it is possible to call attention to surrounding vehicles or pedestrians when starting the vehicle 10. The vehicle lamp system 1 can call attention to surrounding vehicles or pedestrians when starting a host vehicle.