Vehicle Light Guidance System for Path Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle lighting systems fail to provide a distinct and targeted illuminated path for users when entering or exiting a vehicle in low ambient light conditions, leading to difficulties in navigating and avoiding obstacles.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that project a distinct illuminated path on the ground between the vehicle and a remote location using matrix light sources, such as LEDs or lasers, which track the user's movement to provide progressive and spatially distinct illumination, avoiding direct illumination of the user and allowing for unobtrusive guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If standard head lights or exterior lights are used to illuminate the area around the vehicle, then general illumination is provided, but the user may be dazzled and other people or vehicles are unobtrusively lit
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting system directs illumination locally onto the ground path rather than providing omnidirectional lighting. The light is projected onto specific areas (the user's path) while leaving other areas dark, creating local quality differentiation between illuminated path and surrounding environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination is projected onto the ground plane (two-dimensional surface) rather than filling three-dimensional space. This dimensional change confines the light to a specific plane, preventing upward scattering that would cause dazzle while maintaining effective path illumination.
2Illumination intensity
If diffuse illumination is provided immediately adjacent to the vehicle doors, then puddles and obstacles are highlighted, but no distinct path is projected for navigation
Solution Approach 1:
The system projects the illuminated path in advance of the user's movement, anticipating where the user needs to walk. The path is projected before the user reaches it, providing ahead-of-time guidance information for navigation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system tracks the user's movement and dynamically adjusts the illuminated path to follow the user's actual trajectory. This feedback mechanism ensures the path information remains current and accurate as the user moves through the environment.
3Loss of information
If the illuminated path is projected continuously, then the user's path is always visible, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination is activated periodically based on user presence detection rather than continuously. The system turns on the illuminated path when a user is detected and turns it off when no user is present, creating periodic action that reduces energy consumption while maintaining path visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system automatically activates and deactivates based on detected user presence without manual intervention. The system serves itself by monitoring the environment and adjusting illumination accordingly, eliminating the need for continuous operation while ensuring path visibility when users are present.
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 effectively guides users by illuminating their actual path, enhancing safety and convenience by highlighting obstacles and allowing for easy retrace of steps, while minimizing energy consumption and avoiding user dazzle.
Implementation Method 1
projecting, by means of illumination from one or more light sources associated with the vehicle, a distinct illuminated path on the ground
Data Source
AI summary
A method of guiding a vehicle user approaching or exiting a vehicle. The method comprises projecting, by means of illumination from one or more light sources associated with the vehicle, a distinct illuminated path on the ground. The distinct illuminated path on the ground extends between the vehicle and a location remote from the vehicle. A light guidance system (10) for a vehicle (12), the system comprising one or more light sources (20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30) associated with the vehicle and configured to project at least part of a distinct illuminated path (64) on the ground between the vehicle and a location remote from the vehicle.