Vehicle Side Lighting Module With Glare-Free Lateral Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting systems struggle to uniformly illuminate lateral regions of a vehicle without dazzling adjacent vehicles or pedestrians, making it difficult for autonomous driving assistance systems to detect ground markings and obstacles, especially at night.
Innovation Solution
An optical device with a reflecting surface featuring a parabolic section on a vertical longitudinal plane and an elliptical section on a vertical transverse plane, positioned to direct light downwards and prevent glare, combined with a lighting module and camera system for enhanced lateral illumination and obstacle detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If existing vehicle lighting systems illuminate the lateral region beside the vehicle, then the entire rectangular area can be covered, but the illumination cannot be uniform and adjacent vehicles are dazzled
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector surface is divided into two distinct sections with different geometric properties: a parabolic section for controlling vertical light distribution and an elliptical section for controlling horizontal light distribution. Each section provides localized optical control to achieve uniform illumination in specific directions while preventing glare in others.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses curved reflective surfaces with specific geometric shapes (parabolic and elliptical sections) to control light reflection patterns. These curved surfaces redirect light rays at precise angles to illuminate the lateral region uniformly while directing reflected light away from adjacent vehicles to eliminate dazzling effects.
2Area of stationary object
If existing lighting illuminates the lateral region, then coverage area is increased, but uniformity of illumination cannot be achieved
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the reflector surface are designed with different geometric properties to control light distribution in different spatial directions. The parabolic section controls vertical angular distribution while the elliptical section controls horizontal distribution, together achieving uniform illumination across the entire lateral region.
Solution Approach 2:
The curved reflective surfaces with parabolic and elliptical geometries are specifically shaped to redistribute light rays uniformly across the target lateral region. The curvature of these surfaces enables precise control over the angular distribution of reflected light to eliminate dark spots and achieve even illumination.
3Area of stationary object
If lighting is directed to cover the lateral region, then illumination coverage is improved, but glare to neighboring vehicles occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector is segmented into functional zones: the parabolic section directs light downward at controlled angles to illuminate the ground lateral region, while the elliptical section controls the horizontal spread. This localized functional division ensures light is delivered where needed without creating glare for neighboring vehicles.
Solution Approach 2:
The specific curved geometries of the parabolic and elliptical reflector sections are designed to redirect light rays away from the line of sight of adjacent vehicles. The curvature profiles are optimized to bounce light onto the lateral ground area while preventing direct reflection into the paths of neighboring vehicles, thus eliminating glare.
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 solution provides effective and uniform illumination of lateral vehicle regions, enabling improved autonomous driving functions like lane keeping, centering, and obstacle avoidance without causing glare, while maintaining simplicity and reliability at a reasonable cost.
Implementation Method 1
The invention relates to an optical device for a vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a reflecting surface comprising a first section on a vertical longitudinal plane of substantially parabolic shape and a second section, perpendicular to the first, on a vertical transverse plane, of substantially elliptical shape
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a motor vehicle includes a housing having a front lighting surface, and a substantially planar plate and at least one lighting module mounted on the plate. The plate has a general plane of extension that is horizontal when the housing is mounted in the vehicle, and has a surface referred to as a lower surface and a surface referred to as an upper surface. The plate includes a first control system which includes a first male element and is arranged to cause translation of the first male element in an axis parallel to the plate, the plate being provided with a first recess receiving the first male element. A second control system that includes a second male element and is arranged to cause translation of the second male element in an axis perpendicular to the plate, the plate being provided with a second recess on its upper or lower surface that receives the second male element. The housing thus takes up less space above the modules, which can easily be raised.