Vehicle Headlight Integrating Laser Phosphor Sensing for Distance Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle safety systems require multiple sensors and emitters for ambient data sensing, leading to increased installation space and costs, particularly in systems like ultrasonic and radar systems used for distance measurement and autonomous driving.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lighting device incorporating a light source, sensor, and electronic unit for emitting and detecting useful or assist light, utilizing a laser-activated remote phosphor (LARP) system with adjustable direction, similar to Lidar, to perform distance and angle detection, reducing the need for additional sensors and emitters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic or radar systems are used for distance measurement and ambient sensing, then measurement precision and safety functions are improved, but device complexity and installation space increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the lighting function and sensing function into a single integrated headlight unit. The light source serves dual purposes: illuminating the road and acting as an emitter for distance measurement. The sensor integrates both a light receiver for detecting reflected light and a camera for visual information, eliminating the need for separate ultrasonic or radar systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The headlight system performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides useful light for illumination, assist light for sensing, distance measurement through time-of-flight calculation, object detection, and visual recording. This multi-functional approach replaces multiple specialized systems with a single versatile unit.
2Reliability
If multiple sensors and emitters are installed for ambient data sensing, then safety function reliability is improved, but installation space and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensing functions are merged into a single integrated headlight unit. The light source acts as both illumination and emission source, while the combined light sensor and camera provide comprehensive environmental perception, reducing the need for multiple separate sensors and emitters.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated headlight system provides universal sensing capabilities for various safety functions including distance measurement, object detection, and environmental monitoring, replacing multiple specialized sensors with a single multi-functional unit that maintains reliability while reducing installation space.
3Reliability
If separate lighting and sensing systems are used, then functional reliability is improved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate lighting and sensing systems into a single integrated headlight unit. The light source serves dual purposes as both illumination and emission source, while the sensor combines light detection and camera functions, reducing system complexity while maintaining functional reliability through careful integration of these components.
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
Enables efficient and cost-effective implementation of safety functions by integrating light-based sensing and emission, allowing for precise distance and angle measurement, reducing installation space and costs while providing essential safety features like distance detection and object identification.
Implementation Method 1
a light source with which at least one of useful light or assist light can be emitted into the surroundings, a sensor with which at least one of useful light or assist light reflected by the surroundings can be at least partially detected
Implementation Method 2
utilizing a laser-activated remote phosphor (LARP) system with adjustable direction, similar to Lidar
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting device for a vehicle is provided. The lighting device includes a light source with which at least one of useful light or assist light can be emitted into the surroundings, a sensor with which at least one of useful light or assist light reflected by the surroundings can be at least partially detected, and an electronic unit for evaluating at least one of the useful light or assist light sensed by the sensor.