Vehicle IR Light Masking for Visible Emission Compliance
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Solution Overview
Problem
NIR LEDs installed on vehicles emit visible light that does not comply with regulations, causing potential visibility issues and impacting sensor sensitivity, with existing filtering solutions either blocking only partial visible light or reducing sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A light masking system using a combination of IR LEDs and masking LEDs with adjustable emission spectra and intensities, controlled by processing circuitry to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain sensor sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If filtering films are used to block NIR LED emission, then visible light emission is reduced, but sensor sensitivity to detect NIR signals is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the light emission problem by using separate components: an NIR LED for illumination, a beam splitter to separate wavelengths, a visible light detector for regulation compliance, and an independent visible light mask. This segmentation allows the system to block visible light while preserving NIR signal detection pathways, resolving the contradiction between emission reduction and sensor sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a beam splitter as an intermediary component that separates the NIR LED emission into visible and NIR wavelength components. This intermediary enables selective handling of different wavelength ranges, allowing visible light to be masked while NIR signals are directed to sensors without interference from filtering films.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If 940 nm NIR LEDs are used to reduce visible emission, then visible light below 780 nm is reduced, but sensor sensitivity is approximately half as sensitive compared to 850 nm LEDs
Solution Approach 1:
The beam splitter acts as an intermediary that enables the use of 940 nm NIR LEDs while maintaining sensor sensitivity. By separating the emission wavelengths and directing them appropriately, the system can use LEDs with lower visible emission without sacrificing sensor performance, as the beam splitter ensures optimal wavelength routing to sensors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wavelength parameter of the NIR LED from 850 nm to 940 nm to reduce visible light emission. Combined with the beam splitter and visible light mask, this parameter change allows the system to operate with LEDs that have inherently lower visible emission while maintaining regulatory compliance and sensor sensitivity through the optical separation system.
3Reliability
If visible light masking is implemented to comply with regulations, then emission regulations are met, but sensor detection capability may be impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the light management functions into separate components: a visible light mask for regulatory compliance and independent sensor pathways for detection capability. This segmentation ensures that masking operations do not interfere with sensor detection, as each function operates through dedicated channels.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam splitter serves as an intermediary that separates the light paths for regulatory compliance and sensor detection. By directing visible and NIR wavelengths through different pathways, the system can implement visible light masking to meet regulations while preserving full sensor detection capability without cross-interference.
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
Effectively masks the visible light emission from NIR LEDs while maintaining sensor sensitivity and adhering to regulatory requirements, allowing for adjustable emission based on vehicle proximity and location.
Implementation Method 1
a beam splitter configured to receive the emission from the NIR LED and separate the emission into a visible light portion and an NIR light portion
Implementation Method 2
a visible light mask configured to block the visible light portion reflected from the beam splitter
Implementation Method 3
an NIR sensor configured to detect the NIR light portion transmitted through the beam splitter
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
A light masking system for a vehicle includes: a printed circuit board (PCB); at least one infrared (IR) light source disposed on a first surface of the PCB and configured to emit a first predetermined wavelength range of light; at least one masking light source disposed on the first surface of the PCB proximal to the IR light source and configured to emit a second predetermined wavelength range of light, wherein a portion of the emitted first predetermined wavelength range of light of the IR light source includes visible light; and the emitted second predetermined wavelength range of light of the at least one masking light source masks the emitted visible light from the first predetermined wavelength range of the at least one IR light source.