Vehicle Interior Lighting Dimming Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current vehicle lighting systems fail to account for individual differences in vision sensitivity, particularly during nighttime driving when the human eye struggles to adapt to dark conditions, leading to inadequate lighting for drivers.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle lighting system that includes a light sensor coupled to the front windshield to measure environmental light levels, a controller to adjust the brightness of an interior light source, and a user-input device to customize the dimming curve, allowing the system to gradually transition from daytime to nighttime brightness levels through intermediate levels based on measured light levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the interior light source is set to nighttime brightness level immediately, then energy consumption is reduced and driver comfort is improved, but the driver's vision sensitivity cannot recover properly due to sudden darkness
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system dynamically adjusts the interior light source brightness over time, transitioning from daytime to nighttime levels through intermediate stages. This dynamic adjustment allows the driver's vision to adapt gradually to changing light conditions, maintaining reliability of vision sensitivity recovery while improving driver comfort during the transition.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller initiates a gradual dimming sequence before the driver needs full nighttime adaptation. By preemptively transitioning through intermediate brightness levels, the system prepares the driver's vision for upcoming darkness, ensuring smooth adaptation without sudden shocks to the visual system.
2Reliability
If the interior light source maintains daytime brightness level, then vision sensitivity is maintained, but energy consumption increases and driver comfort deteriorates during nighttime
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts brightness based on ambient light conditions and time of day, transitioning from high daytime brightness to lower nighttime brightness. This dynamic control maintains vision sensitivity when needed while reducing energy consumption during nighttime operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller changes the brightness parameter of the interior light source based on measured ambient light levels and predefined dimming curves. By adjusting this key parameter gradually, the system optimizes the balance between maintaining vision sensitivity and reducing energy consumption.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed dimming curve is used, then the system is simple to manufacture and operate, but it cannot accommodate individual differences in driver vision sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides dynamic brightness adjustment through multiple preset dimming curves that can be selected based on individual driver preferences or vision requirements. This maintains relative system simplicity while significantly improving adaptability to different users.
Solution Approach 2:
The dimming process is segmented into multiple intermediate brightness levels rather than a single fixed transition. This segmentation allows the system to offer various preset curves with different transition rates, accommodating individual differences in vision sensitivity while keeping the overall system manageable.
4Loss of time
If the light source transitions directly from daytime to nighttime brightness, then the transition time is minimized, but the driver experiences visual shock and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a dynamic transition process that balances transition speed with driver comfort. By controlling the rate of brightness change through intermediate levels, the system minimizes unnecessary transition time while preventing visual shock.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller initiates gradual dimming before the driver would experience sudden darkness, preparing the visual system in advance. This preliminary action reduces the perceived transition time and eliminates visual shock by ensuring smooth adaptation.
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 provides a customizable lighting solution that adapts to the driver's vision sensitivity, ensuring optimal visibility by gradually dimming the light source from daytime to nighttime levels, enhancing safety and comfort during nighttime driving.
Implementation Method 1
A light sensor is coupled to a front windshield and is configured to measure a light level of an environment forward of the front windshield
Data Source
AI summary
A lighting system of a vehicle is provided herein. A light sensor is coupled to a front windshield and is oriented to face in a vehicle-forward direction. A light source is disposed inside the vehicle and a controller is configured to adjust a brightness of the light source based on a light level measured by the light sensor.