Vehicle Light Beam Control for Glare Avoidance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adaptive light beam control systems for vehicles suffer from sharp, distracting edges in unlit areas, displacement of intense light, and inadequate illumination in the vehicle's axis, while also potentially dazzling road users.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that calculate a glare threshold based on the nature and trajectory of road users to adapt the light beam's intensity, ensuring optimal illumination without dazzling, by combining a nominal light component over the entire beam except in the target zone with a zero light component in that zone, and modulating light to maintain constant perception for road users.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the beam contour is adapted to cut out the area occupied by road users, then dazzling of road users is avoided, but the vertical edges of the unlit area become excessively sharp and contrasty which disturbs the driver's attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different light intensities to different regions of the beam. Specifically, it reduces or eliminates light in the target zone (where road users are located) while maintaining or enhancing light intensity in other zones, particularly in the vehicle's axis. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by avoiding dazzling in specific areas without creating harmful sharp edges that would affect the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam contour is dynamically adapted based on the detected position and trajectory of road users. The system continuously adjusts the beam pattern to follow moving objects, ensuring that the cutoff area moves with the road user while maintaining smooth transitions. This dynamic adjustment prevents the creation of fixed, sharp edges that could distract the driver.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the beam contour is adapted to cut out the area occupied by road users, then dazzling is avoided, but intense light areas of the beam are displaced in the direction of objects not to be dazzled which annoys the driver's attention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements zone-specific light intensity control where different regions of the beam have different luminous characteristics. The target zone (containing road users) receives reduced or zero light intensity, while the vehicle's axis and other safe zones maintain or enhance intense light areas. This ensures that bright spots remain in appropriate locations for driving visibility without displacing toward road users.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the beam contour is adapted to cut out the area occupied by road users, then dazzling is avoided, but there is a lack of light intensity in the axis of the vehicle which is a critical area
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs differentiated light distribution where the target zone (road user area) receives suppressed illumination while the vehicle's central axis and peripheral safe zones receive enhanced or maintained light intensity. This local quality differentiation ensures that critical driving areas remain brightly illuminated while avoiding dazzling of road users in specific zones.
Solution Approach 2:
The beam is segmented into multiple functional zones: a target zone (where road users are located and light is reduced), a central axis zone (critical for driving visibility and maintained or enhanced), and peripheral zones (adjusted according to safety requirements). This segmentation allows independent control of light intensity in each zone to simultaneously avoid dazzling and maintain critical illumination.
4Adaptability or versatility
If manual control is used to change lighting mode, then the driver can choose between low beam and high beam, but changing the lighting mode is tedious and may cause distraction or misjudgment
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic beam contour adaptation based on detected road users, eliminating the need for manual driver intervention. The system autonomously detects road users, calculates their trajectories, determines target zones, and adjusts the beam pattern accordingly. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by providing adaptive lighting without requiring tedious manual mode changes that could distract the driver.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the positions and trajectories of road users through detection devices and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust the beam contour. This closed-loop feedback mechanism enables automatic adaptation of lighting modes based on real-time road conditions, eliminating the need for manual control while ensuring appropriate illumination levels are maintained.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The method involves determining parameters of a target area (16) occupied by a road user e.g. oncoming vehicle (18), dazzled by a light beam (10) emitted by a vehicle (12), where the parameters are nature, location and/or path of the road user. Set point light quantity to be emitted toward the area is established based on the parameters for maintaining the illuminated area. Dazzle threshold causing the glare of passengers in the area is established based on the parameters. The set point light quantity is fixed to a value lower than or equal to the dazzle threshold. An independent claim is also included for a device for controlling a light beam emitted by a vehicle.