Vehicle Light Ring Signaling for Autonomous Road User Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
As autonomous vehicles rely on technical installations rather than human perception, there is a challenge in effectively communicating with other road users, especially those who may not be attentive or correctly assess traffic situations, such as pedestrians and children, who can overlook vehicles or their illumination functions.
Innovation Solution
An adaptive illumination system with encircling lighting devices and a control system that uses sensors to detect road users and transmit communication signals through color and intensity modulation, forming a visually continuous light ring around the vehicle to convey traffic information and alertness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If autonomous vehicles use technical installations (sensors, cameras) for perception instead of human drivers, then the vehicle's ability to detect surrounding conditions is improved, but the ability to communicate effectively with other road users deteriorates because these road users may not be attentive or may incorrectly assess traffic situations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs color-changing LED lighting devices that emit different colors (red, yellow, green, blue, white) to convey different traffic situation messages to road users. The control device selects appropriate colors based on detected situations, making communication more effective and attention-grabbing for inattentive road users such as pedestrians and children.
Solution Approach 2:
The illumination system dynamically adjusts its behavior by switching between different lighting patterns, colors, and intensities based on real-time detection of road users and traffic situations. The system can activate different lighting devices at different positions and times to create dynamic visual communication that adapts to the situation, thereby improving reliability of communication with road users.
2Illumination intensity
If the vehicle uses multiple lighting devices arranged encircling the vehicle to form a continuous light ring, then the visibility and communication effectiveness to all road users is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous light ring is segmented into multiple independent lighting devices distributed around the vehicle perimeter. Each lighting device can be individually controlled by the control device to emit specific colors and patterns. This segmentation allows flexible and independent control of different segments to convey different messages to road users at different locations, improving overall visibility and communication effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting devices serve multiple functions: they illuminate the vehicle's presence, communicate traffic situation information through color coding, alert inattentive road users, and provide aesthetic enhancement. The control device manages these diverse functions through a unified system that selects appropriate lighting patterns based on detected situations, thereby achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing complexity.
3Shape
If the optical diffuser is designed to create a diffuse illumination impression when light passes through it, then the visual continuity and aesthetic appearance of the light ring is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical diffuser is designed as a separate, replaceable component that can be manufactured using cost-effective methods such as injection molding with integrated diffusing features or application of diffusing coatings. This approach allows for easier manufacturing and replacement compared to precision-ground optical elements, reducing both manufacturing precision requirements and costs while maintaining the desired diffuse illumination effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The diffuser's optical properties are optimized by controlling parameters such as material composition, thickness, and surface texture during manufacturing. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves the desired diffuse illumination effect that creates visual continuity of the light ring without requiring extremely tight tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements.
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
Enhances safety by reliably communicating traffic situations to all road users, improving awareness and preventing potential hazards through standardized color and intensity cues, even in complex environments.
Implementation Method 1
at least one optical diffuser assigned to the light source, which is equipped to diffuse the light that can be emitted by the at least one light source by way of diffraction
Data Source
AI summary
A motor vehicle (10), which can be operated in a self-driving mode, wherein the motor vehicle includes an illumination system (50) for generating light signal messages to individual road users, which includes a lighting device (100) and a control device, wherein the lighting device (100) includes at least one light source (110), includesan optical diffuser (120), which is equipped to diffuse by diffraction the light that can be emitted from the light source (110) in order to make possible a diffuse light impression of the optical diffuser (120),a carrier element (130), on which the light source (110) is arranged, wherein the carrier element (130) includes a cable conduit (140) for conducting an electrical line and a first fastening means (150) for fastening the carrier element (130) to the motor vehicle,includes a cover (160), which by means of a second fastening means (170) can be fastened to the carrier element (130), wherein the cover (160) combined with the carrier element (130) is equipped to hold the optical diffuser (120),and wherein the lighting device (100) is arranged encircling the motor vehicle in such a manner that when the one lighting device (100) is switched on, the optical diffuser (120) is perceptible as visually continuously shining light ring.